September in Rondo del Valle: a month to celebrate winemaking and the grape harvest

#September in Rondo del Valle: a month to celebrate winemaking and the grape harvest

## Introduction
September is an iconic month for all wine lovers. In the Guadalupe Valley, the grapes are at their peak ripeness, and the harvest becomes a celebration honoring the winemaking culture and the work of those who make it possible for each bottle to reach our tables. At Rondo del Valle, a family project founded in 1978 and guided by the musical idea of ​​​​the rondo—always returning to the origins to create something new—we want to share the magic of this month with you and show you how we experience it at our winery.

Over the next few weeks, we'll explore various topics related to oenology, wine, and our history. From **Winemaker's Day** to the passion for grapes like **Garnacha**, to wine tourism experiences, event areas, and the history of our labels. Each week, you'll find a new section with information, recommendations, and interesting facts that will allow you to delve into the world of wine and discover why **Rondo del Valle** is a key element of wine tourism in Baja California.

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## Week 1 (September 1–7): Winemaker's Day and Harvest Festival

The first weekend of September kicks off with two celebrations that mark the pulse of the season.

- **Winemaker's Day (September 7)**. This day pays tribute to the women and men who transform grapes into liquid art. At Rondo del Valle, our team of winemakers combines science with sensitivity to extract the best from each harvest and transform it into wines like **Travesí**, **Cautivo**, and **Morador**. Behind every sip lies history, knowledge, and respect for the vineyard, values ​​we celebrate on this date.

- **Harvest in the Guadalupe Valley.** Although the official harvest festivals usually take place between July and August, the excitement of the harvest is still felt during the first days of September. Strolling through our vineyards while observing the bunches ready to be picked is an experience that unites culture, tradition, and the joy of the new wine season.

During this first week, we invite you to visit us and celebrate with our team. We offer tastings in the underground wine cellar that allow you to understand the winemaking process and taste five wines (three reds, one rosé, and one white); walks through the vineyards where a winemaker or sommelier explains the vine's life cycle; and picnics in our gardens with a cheese board and panoramic views. Don't forget to book 24 hours in advance to secure your spot.

### Pairing suggestions of the week
In honor of Winemaker's Day and the grape harvest, we recommend you uncork our red wines:

- **Morador**, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Mourvèdre with aromas of red fruits, cayenne, roasted cocoa, and vanilla. Its powerful tannins make it the ideal companion to fine cuts and roasts.
- **Cautivo**, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that presents aromas of plum, apricot, violets, tobacco, and ash. Its elegant entry and round tannins pair well with Mexican dishes such as mole, poultry, and lightly seasoned meats.
- **Travesí**, composed of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec, its notes of raspberries, violets, and tobacco pair well with pasta, pizzas, and mild cheeses.

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## Week 2 (September 8–14): Wine Tourism Experiences and Event Spaces

The experiences we offer at **Rondo del Valle** go beyond tasting. Our philosophy of returning to the origins led us to build an underground wine cellar, aromatic gardens, and terraces that allow you to experience wine with all five senses. This week, we invite you to discover all the activities and spaces we have for you:

### Experiences

| Experience | Description | Duration / Features |
|---|---|---|
| **Tasting and tour of the cellar** | Tour of the underground facilities and tasting of five wines (three reds, one rosé, and one white), where you'll learn about the production process | Approx. 1.5 hr |
| **Picnic in the gardens** | Hike to **Rancho el Parral** with views of the vineyard, a presentation of our wines, and a cheese board featuring regional products | 2 hours |
| **Vineyard Tour and Tasting** | Guided tour led by a winemaker/sommelier who explains the vine's life cycle; concludes with a wine tasting and cheese board | 2 hours |

### Areas and events
If you're planning a special event, we have several areas surrounded by nature. Some of them are:

- **Private area in the vineyard** (4–20 people), ideal for intimate tastings.
- **VIP room in the underground cellar** (10–30 people) for exclusive meetings.
- **Terrace** (20–100 people) and **garden chapel** (50–350 people) perfect for weddings or celebrations.
- **Lavender garden**, **aroma garden**, **fruit garden** and **stone terrace**, with capacities ranging from 10 to 200 people.

All of our experiences and events require a 24-hour advance reservation and are held Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 am to 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. You can find us at Carretera El Tigre Km 3.5, San Antonio de las Minas, 22766 Ensenada.

### Topic of the week
Taking advantage of this week's **National Chianti Day** (the first Friday in September, this year the 5th), we'll be comparing Italian tradition with our red wines. Chianti is made primarily from Sangiovese grapes and is characterized by its bright acidity and cherry aromas. Although we don't produce Chianti at Rondo del Valle, we share a passion for complex red wines. During the week, we'll be hosting special pairings with artisanal pastas and cheeses and discussing the sustainability of our packaging, as our bottles are recyclable.

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## Week 3 (September 15–21): Garnacha, Sustainability, and the Points Program

In mid-September we continue celebrating wine with other international themed days:

- **National Port Wine Day (September 10)**. This day honors the fortified wine originating from Portugal's Douro Valley. Our wines are not fortified, but we suggest pairing our reds with dark chocolates or blue cheeses to experience a contrasting flavor.

- **International Garnacha Day (September 20)**. Celebrated on the third Friday of September, this date honors the **Garnacha** (or Grenache) grape, known for its flavors of red berries, spices, and herbs. At Rondo del Valle, we produce a **rosé wine** that combines **Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon** grapes, with a bright peach color and notes of peach, strawberry, and nectarine. It has a smooth entry with a citrus finish and pairs well with salads, grilled chicken, fish, and seafood.

### Commitment to the environment and points program
This week, we also want to remind you of our commitment to sustainability. We reuse materials and encourage the recycling of our bottles. Plus, every purchase you make in our online store earns you points that you can redeem for future purchases, and being a member gives you exclusive benefits. Enjoy our experiences, buy your favorite wines, and earn points while supporting responsible practices.

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## Week 4 (September 22–30): History and Labels of Rondo del Valle

We close the month by delving into our history and the identity of each wine. **Rondo del Valle** was born from an Ensenada family who decided in 1978 to cultivate vineyards in the Guadalupe Valley. The musical concept of the *rondo* inspires our philosophy: returning to our roots and experiences to create new melodies in the form of wine. Over time, we built an underground wine cellar, barrel room, and tasting room, and planted varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, and Malbec.

### Our labels

| Wine | Varieties and description | Suggested pairing |
|---|---|---|
| **Morador** | A blend of **Cabernet Sauvignon (36%)**, **Petite Sirah (32%)**, and **Mourvèdre (32%)**; aged for 14 months. Bright crimson color with aromas of red and black fruits, cayenne, roasted cocoa, and vanilla. Silky entry with powerful tannins. | Ideal with fine cuts, roasts, and dishes with intense flavors. |
| **Cautivo** | A blend of **Cabernet Sauvignon (85%)** and **Merlot (15%)** aged for 14 months. Ruby red in color with pink highlights and aromas of plum jam, apricots, violets, tobacco leaves, and ash. Elegant entry and round tannins with notes of red fruits and spices. | Pairs with Mexican food, mole, poultry, and seasoned cuts. |
| **Travesí** | A blend of **Merlot (60%)**, **Cabernet Sauvignon (30%)**, and **Malbec (10%)**; aged for 9 months in barrels. Deep purple in color with aromas of raspberry jam, strawberries, and violets. Smooth entry and velvety tannins with fresh acidity. | Perfect with pasta, pizzas, soft cheeses, and cured meats. |
| **Rosé** | A blend of **Grenache** and **Cabernet Sauvignon** with a bright peach color. It offers aromas of stone fruits, strawberries, and nectarines; a smooth entry with nectarine and citrus flavors. | Pairs with salads, chicken, fish, seafood, cheeses, and cold cuts. |
| **Candor** | A white wine composed of **Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier**. Straw-colored with green tones; aromas of pear in syrup, white flowers, and citrus notes. Smooth entry with balanced acidity and flavors of Persian lemon and sage. | Pairs well with salads, grilled chicken, fish, seafood, and cheeses. |

### Final Tips
Don't forget you can purchase our labels in the **online store**, schedule a visit, or reserve event space. By doing so, you'll earn points that you can use on future purchases and access additional benefits. Stay tuned to our social media, where we'll be sharing grape harvest photos and activities throughout September.

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## Conclusion
September is a month of celebration for those of us who love wine. At **Rondo del Valle**, we honor winemakers, express our gratitude for the generosity of the land during the grape harvest, and share our passion through unique experiences, exceptional wines, and a firm commitment to sustainability. We invite you to be part of this wine journey and visit our winery in the heart of the Guadalupe Valley. Cheers!