At a glance
- Founded
- 2005
- Winemaking
- Phil Gregory, founding winemaker
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Grenache, Barbera
- Style
- natural wine · minimal intervention · organic vineyard · red blends
- Visits
- By appointment
- Hours
- Every day, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The house
Editorial review · reviewed on October 11, 2026The roofs are boat hulls turned upside down. They were salvaged from the port of Ensenada, and with other recycled materials the firm of Alejandro D'Acosta and Claudia Turrent built the Vena Cava winery in Francisco Zarco.
Phil and Eileen Gregory, a British couple, came to the valley after years of sailing around the world. In 2002 they bought a ranch in Francisco Zarco, and in 2005 they founded the winery. Phil learned the craft at La Escuelita, the winemaking workshop Hugo D'Acosta launched, and he has made the house wines ever since.
The winery uses grapes from its organic vineyard and from other sites in Baja California, and it moves between two lines. One is natural wines made with as little intervention as possible, like the Reserva Natural. The other is red blends aged in French and American oak, like the Big Blend, which brings together five grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Grenache. Tastings run from the basic one, with four wines, to the premium natural, with five natural wines, bread, olives, and cheese.
On the same ranch are La Villa del Valle, a six-room hotel, and Troika, a food truck that serves as the restaurant. The winery opens every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with tastings on the hour that are booked online, and visits are for guests 18 and older.
The wines
The house works in two lines: natural wines from its organic vineyard, made with as little intervention as possible, and red blends aged in French and American oak barrels. Both mix grapes from the Rhône, Bordeaux, Italy, and California.
Red
Reserva Natural
Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, Zinfandel, Syrah
A natural wine from the house's organic vineyard.
Red
Big Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Grenache
A five-grape blend aged 12 months in French and American oak barrels.
Grapes it works with
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Petite Sirah
- Zinfandel
- Grenache
- Barbera
- In the vineyard and the cellar
- organic vineyard · natural wines
What to taste
Reserva Natural, a red from its organic vineyard made with as little intervention as possible: the house's way of working in one glass.
Why go
Walk into the winery with a roof of boat hulls designed by Alejandro D'Acosta and Claudia Turrent, then stay on the same ranch to eat and spend the night.
The visit
Receives visitors by appointment. Reservations are required.
Offers:TastingsRestaurantLodging
Tastings and tours
Hours
- Monday11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Per the official website, open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with tastings every hour on the hour starting at 11 a.m. and online reservations.
Hours are subject to change. Confirm with the winery before your visit.
House rules
- Winery visits are for guests 18 and older only
- No pets inside the winery
- The Troika food truck welcomes pets and families
Tastings are booked online through the winery's website.
Lodging and amenities
Hotel: La Villa del ValleA six-room boutique hotel on the same ranch.
- Restaurant
Getting there
Rancho San Marcos, camino Toros Pintos, Ejido Francisco Zarco
Rancho San Marcos, Toros Pintos s/n, Ejido Francisco Zarco, Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, B.C. · Get directions ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Open the driving route in Google Maps:
- Directions from your location (opens in a new tab)
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- Directions from San Ysidro Port of Entry (opens in a new tab)
- Directions from Ensenada (opens in a new tab)
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