“The valley is a very delicate ecosystem and needs protecting.”

The Azure Road Take

Eileen and Phil Gregory have been pioneers of sustainable agritourism in Valle de Guadalupe for more than 20 years and at La Villa del Valle, they open their 70-acre home to like-minded guests.

“We’re not running a business to make a big pot of money,” Eileen says. “We do it as a way of life. We’ve taken all these human values — nourishment, community, beauty, respect, and diversity — as our mantra.”

Who’s it for? 

Wine lovers looking for a quiet escape. Couples seeking romance and relaxation immersed in nature. Friends eager for a new adventure and to disconnect from the modern world.

Sustainability Chops

“When we first arrived in the valley, there was very little of anything so we did all we could to be self-sustaining,” Eileen explains. They planted a vegetable garden, olive orchards, and vineyards, all of which are certified organic. The villa is built on passive solar principles, using local materials and people whenever possible. Water catchment systems, low-flush toilets, and water-saving shower heads all help minimize water use. Over the years, the Gregorys have become an integral part of the community, sponsoring a local soccer team, cleaning the roads of rubbish, and supporting local schools, orphanages, and the volunteer fire department. Eileen was a founding member of Berry Good Food Foundation, installing vegetable gardens in schools, orphanages, and indigenous communities in the valley, and teaching classes on agriculture and nourishment to children.

“With the exponential growth of the valley in recent years, we are delighted with the adoption of core values of stewardship for the land and its people, the regenerative agricultural practices that are now employed widely throughout the valley, the championing of native plant preservation, and above all, the importance of saving and capturing water through whatever means possible,” Eileen says. “The valley is a very delicate ecosystem and needs protecting.”

Location

Just over the border in Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe region, La Villa del Valle is an easy road trip from San Diego, if you aren’t afraid of the potholes and rugged dirt roads. With a mix of Google Maps and common sense, it’s easy enough to find the small inn, perched on a hilltop in the heart of Mexico’s most famous wine region. This is a great home base for exploring nearby wineries and restaurants, whether it’s slurping oysters and enjoying geoduck tiradito at Conchas de Piedra, or sitting under a 200-year-old oak tree at Animalón. 

Rooms

There are only six rooms, each one-of-a-kind and artfully decorated, with homemade biodegradable herbal soap, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner made of pure organic essential oils. Three of the rooms have private balconies with Mexican chimeneas. Proprietors Eileen and Phil Gregory live on-site, so you truly feel like you’re staying at a friend’s country estate. You can even learn how to make soap or distill essential oils if you’re interested.

Food and Drink

Breakfast is included each morning, and everything from granola and yogurt to bread and jam is homemade. Eggs from local free-range chickens can be prepared as you wish, and enjoying morning coffee and breakfast on the terrace overlooking the vineyards is such a simple but relaxing luxury.

The hotel serves guest-only nightly dinners prepared by husband-and-wife team Elsa Olmos and Cesar Vazquez, who offer family-style dinners and five-course tasting menus tailored to guest preferences, with wine pairings showcasing Vena Cava wines. The winery is just next door and definitely worth visiting for a tour and tasting, along with lunch at Troika food truck. Phil is the winemaker and a very experimental one at that, with a philosophy of minimal intervention. He was the first winemaker in Valle de Guadalupe to make orange wines and pet-nats. Dinner ends up feeling like a dinner party with friends, especially when the Gregorys join. Local amberjack tartare with cucumbers and tomato strawberry chile morita vinaigrette was a highlight at a recent meal, along with cheesy socarrat bomba rice. 

Staff and Service

Long-tenured staff make you feel immediately at home and the Gregorys are often around to greet guests too. “We think of our team as our family and are proud to have people who have been with us for 20 years, who in turn have made us their family,” Eileen says. Afternoon tea and cake is available each afternoon and hard to resist, even with dinner just around the corner. Service is more casual and more heartfelt than at a typical hotel, and the team is so well-connected that they’ll be able to make excellent recommendations and help with any reservation requests in the region.

Spa and Swim

There is no spa, although private yoga classes and massages can be coordinated upon request. There is a massage room on the first floor for treatments. An outdoor swimming pool and heated Jacuzzi are open year-round.

Accessibility

The hotel is not ADA accessible as all six guest rooms are on the second floor and there is no elevator.