Corona del Valle Restaurant and Winery

 If you follow my Instagram, you probably saw that we enjoyed a very nice weekend in Baja California's Valle de Guadelupe. Mexican wine country is becoming more and more well known for its lovely scenery and fantastic food scene. Besides the delicious and reasonably priced wines (think bold reds, particularly tempranillos and grenache), the area offers spectacular views and a real rustic atmosphere. 

 We've visited several times, and for this trip, we were bound and determined to check out the restaurant portion of Corona del Valle. The setting is absolutely breathtaking, and the menu is tantalizing, so we had to try it out. It doesn't hurt that lamb mole is a feature on the menu, so I was naturally dying to eat here.

The restaurant serves the entire catalog of Corona del Valle wines to pair with the menu. I didn't exactly pair my wine, but I love Sauvignon Blanc, so that's what I ordered. 

 One of the perks is outdoor seating with canopy covering from the sun, and views of the farm surrounding the restaurant.

 The winery features walking trails, a soccer field, playground, and loaner bikes to explore the property. It's absolutely possible to spend an entire afternoon here, enjoying the wine, food, and activities.

Before I describe the entrees, I'll make a point of stating how very child-friendly the place really is. Besides the playground, bikes, and soccer field, they have a kids' menu and coloring pages (which my daughter greatly enjoyed). The kids' menu has the typical favorites, in huge portions to please most picky eaters. 

 We were both craving seafood, so the shrimp in garlic sauce was just the ticket. Served in shell over rice with roasted carrots and asparagus. Paired with the wine, it felt extra fancy and was absolutely divine. 

The moment of truth came when the lamb mole arrived. Served with a side of refried beans and fresh tortillas, I almost pushed these away in favor of diving full face into this plate of deliciousness. The sauce was perfection, with so many layers of deep, rich earthy flavor. Paired with the Nebbiolo-Tempranillo, it was a memorable meal. 

There will certainly be another visit.