From Ensenada: Ojos Negros Valley Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour

Ojos Negros Valley offers a useful change of pace from Ensenada’s coast and city streets: open countryside, family-made cheese, and wine served close to where it is produced. The most distinctive stop is Marcelo’s underground cheese cellar, where Ramonetti family dairy products are paired with wine and other local goods.

I like the personal touch at Infinito Winery, where owner and winemaker Pepe Pedrosa may lead your vineyard visit. I also like that transportation, snacks, water, admission, and several tastings are included. The catch is simple: wine tastings at Infinito cost extra, lunch is not included, and the winery visit depends on availability.

Key points to know before booking

• Ojos Negros is about one hour east of Ensenada, giving you a countryside outing rather than a quick stop near town.
• Infinito Winery may be hosted by Pepe Pedrosa, its owner and winemaker, but this visit is subject to availability.
• Rancho La Campana includes a guided cheese-production tour and a tasting inside La Cava de Marcelo.
• The $150 price includes transport, hotel pickup, admission, snacks, water, and cheese and wine tastings at Marcelo’s cellar.
• Lunch at Casa de Marcelo and Infinito Winery tastings cost extra, so bring cash or another accepted payment method.
• The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Why Ojos Negros makes a good day trip from Ensenada

The Ojos Negros Valley sits roughly an hour east of Ensenada, along a countryside route shaped by farms, vineyards, and small food producers. This is not a tour built around a long list of grand tasting rooms. Its appeal is the connection between local food and the people who make it.

You spend six hours moving at an easy pace between two main stops. That timing matters. You get enough time for a proper guided visit and tastings, but you do not spend an entire day on the road.

Pickup is available from several Ensenada-area locations, including Viñas del Sol, Cíbolas de Mar, El Sauzal, Estero Beach, El Tigre, Villa de Juárez, Tierra Santa, and other listed points. If your lodging is outside the pickup range, you can meet the guide at Centro Social, Cultural y Cívico Riviera Ensenada, where parking is free and safe.

You should be ready in your hotel lobby 15 minutes before pickup. The exact starting time depends on availability, so check it before booking. Transportation is round trip, which is especially useful on a wine tour. You can taste without worrying about driving back to Ensenada.

Starting at Infinito Winery with Pepe Pedrosa

The first main stop is Vinícola Infinito, where the visit lasts about an hour and a half. The planned experience includes an aperitif, a vineyard visit, and a chance to learn about wine production.

The special feature here is the possibility of meeting Pepe Pedrosa, the winery’s owner and winemaker. A visit led by the person who makes the wine can give you a clearer sense of the operation than a standard tasting-room talk. You can ask about the vineyard, the production process, and the choices behind the wines.

There is one important limitation. The Pepe Pedrosa-led visit is subject to availability, and the stop itself may change. You should treat Infinito as the intended winery rather than an absolute guarantee.

Also note that Infinito’s wine tastings are not included in the tour price. This is the detail most likely to affect your budget. The $150 fee covers many services, but you should expect an extra charge if you want to sample wines at this stop.

The tour information does not give a fixed number of wines or a set tasting fee. Bring cash, as cash is specifically recommended for the day. If wine is the main reason you are booking, confirm the tasting cost before departure.

Rancho La Campana and the Ramonetti cheese tradition

The second major stop is Rancho La Campana, home to the Ramonetti family’s cheese and dairy operation. The family has been making cheese and dairy products since 1911, giving this visit a strong sense of place and continuity.

You will take a guided tour of the facilities and get an inside look at the cheese-production area. This is the part of the day that turns the tour from a simple food tasting into a look at how local products are made.

The focus is not only on eating cheese. You are shown the working side of the operation, then given a chance to taste the results. That order helps you understand what is on the plate and why the stop matters.

At La Cava de Marcelo, the underground cellar, you will taste artisan cheeses paired with quality wines and other local products. The tasting also includes dessert. Bottled water and snacks are provided during the tour, while the cellar tasting includes the listed cheeses, wines, and local products.

The cellar is the tour’s most unusual feature. An underground setting gives the tasting a more intimate feel than a regular restaurant table, while the guided visit explains the family business behind the food. If you enjoy regional products more than formal wine education, this stop will likely be the highlight.

The Casa de Marcelo meal is extra

After the guided visit and tasting, you have time for a meal at Casa de Marcelo. The restaurant serves gourmet cuisine, but lunch is not part of the tour price.

This arrangement gives you some choice. You can decide how much to spend and how large a meal you want after the tastings. It also means the advertised price does not cover the complete food budget for the day.

Plan for lunch as a separate expense. The available information does not list a fixed menu, meal price, or included dish, so you should not assume that the cellar tasting replaces lunch. The schedule allows time for a meal, but the exact timing can depend on the day’s visits.

I like this setup for people who want flexibility. It is less useful if you prefer an all-inclusive tour with every meal paid in advance. Bring cash, and keep in mind that you will already have had several tastings before sitting down to eat.

What the $150 price really covers

At $150 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day near Ensenada. The value depends on how much you would otherwise pay for transport, tastings, and access to the valley.

The price includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Round-trip transportation
• Admission fees
• A guided Rancho La Campana visit
• Access to the cheese-production area
• Cheese, wine, and local product tastings at Marcelo’s cellar
• A possible Infinito Winery tour led by the winemaker, subject to availability
• Bottled water and snacks
• A free souvenir

You are also paying for the convenience of not arranging a driver or piecing together separate visits. That matters in a rural area, where independent transportation can take extra planning.

The main extras are Infinito Winery tastings and lunch. The tour price is easier to justify if you value the guided cheese visit, included transport, and cellar tasting. It is less attractive if you mainly want a large number of winery tastings, since one of the wine stops charges separately.

The tour can also be booked as a private group, which may make the price more worthwhile for a small party that wants a more personal day. The standard group setup and private-group terms are not specified, so confirm those details before booking.

Guides, language, and the pace of the day

The tour operates in English and Spanish. That makes it practical for international visitors who want explanations about wine and cheese without relying on printed information.

The guide’s role matters here because the day involves several kinds of interpretation: directions, winery information, family history, cheese production, and tasting guidance. Jesus has been associated with the experience as a helpful and patient guide, though the assigned guide can vary.

Pepe Pedrosa is not simply a general escort. He is the owner and winemaker at Infinito, and his participation is subject to availability. If he is present, you may get a particularly direct introduction to the vineyard and wines.

The schedule includes about 90 minutes at Infinito and about 90 minutes at Rancho La Campana and Marcelo’s cellar. The remaining time covers pickup, driving, transitions, and the meal period. Expect a relaxed half-day, not a rushed series of five-minute photo stops.

Stops can change based on availability. That flexibility is useful for the operator, but it means you should avoid treating every named location as guaranteed. Ask for the final plan if a particular winery is essential to your decision.

Practical clothing and mobility advice

Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. Open-toed shoes are not allowed, and the tour includes vineyard and production-area visits rather than only polished indoor tasting rooms.

You should also bring sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. Ojos Negros is a countryside destination, and the day may include time outdoors at the vineyard and ranch.

Bring a valid photo ID. Anyone consuming alcohol must be at least 18 and show valid identification, although a copy is accepted according to the tour information.

Leave oversized luggage and pets behind. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. The information does not specify the exact walking distance or the condition of every surface, so anyone with limited mobility should ask before booking.

The tour runs rain or shine except during extreme weather. That means practical clothing matters. You should not count on a weather-related cancellation for ordinary rain.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want local food, a countryside setting, and a guided day without having to drive. It suits adults interested in cheese production, family-run businesses, and smaller-scale wine tourism.

It is also a good choice if you have already visited Ensenada’s main wine areas and want a different route. Ojos Negros adds a food-first angle, with cheese receiving as much attention as wine.

The tour is less suitable if you want a serious, wine-heavy tasting program with several guaranteed wineries. The Infinito stop can change, and its tastings cost extra. It is also not the right fit if you need step-free access or want to bring young children, since all alcohol consumers must be at least 18 and the experience is designed around adult tastings.

Cruise passengers visiting temporarily should note that this experience is not available to them. You also need at least two participants for the tour to operate.

Cancellation and pickup details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking.

Pickup is included from the listed areas. If you are outside the pickup range, use the designated Riviera Ensenada meeting point. The guide waits by the main wooden front door and confirms the pickup time within 24 hours before the tour.

Because the tour depends on winery and stop availability, I would check the final pickup time and planned stops before the day begins. That small step can prevent confusion, especially if you are staying outside central Ensenada.

Should you book the Ojos Negros Valley tour?

Book this tour if you want a comfortable, guided outing built around artisan cheese, local products, and countryside wine culture. The underground cellar, the Ramonetti family operation, and the possible meeting with Pepe Pedrosa give the day character that a basic tasting shuttle may lack.

Think twice if your priority is an all-inclusive wine tour. Infinito tastings and lunch cost extra, and the winery stop may change. At $150, the value comes from transport, access, guidance, included cellar tastings, and the chance to see how the cheese is made.

For food-focused adults who want a calm day outside Ensenada, I think it is a strong choice. Bring cash, wear closed shoes, plan for a separate lunch budget, and confirm the pickup details before you go.

FAQ

How long does the Ojos Negros Valley tour last?

The tour lasts six hours, including transportation, visits, tastings, and time for a meal.

How far is Ojos Negros Valley from Ensenada?

Ojos Negros Valley is located about one hour east of Ensenada.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from the listed pickup areas. If you are outside the pickup range, meet the guide at Centro Social, Cultural y Cívico Riviera Ensenada.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. You have time to eat at Casa de Marcelo, but lunch is at your own expense.

Are the wine tastings at Infinito Winery included?

No. Tastings at Infinito Winery are not included. The cheese, wine, and local product tastings at Marcelo’s cellar are included.

Who may lead the Infinito Winery visit?

Pepe Pedrosa, the owner and winemaker, may lead the visit, subject to availability.

What languages are available?

The tour is available in English and Spanish.

Do I need identification?

Yes. Anyone who wants to consume alcohol must be at least 18 years old and present valid photo identification. A copy is accepted.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.