I would like information as to where I could purchase venue tickets to the 2005 Fiesta de la Vendimia in Baja California.
Thank you,
Alwino

I too am searching for info on this event, especially the paella contest on the last day! I you find anything out please pass it on as I will do the same.

Adios

You can get more information on this event at http://www.ensenadagazette.com/events.html#august.

Hey there, Alwino. Here is the contact information in Ensenada, maybe you can buy your tickets here, or they'll direct you to the proper vendor in the USA:

Viajes Damiana (Damiana Travel Agency)
Tel from USA: 011-52 (646) 178 31 36 and 175 72 33

Asociación de Vinicultores (Wine Makers Association)
Lopez Mateos #582-208
Plaza Mauina
Ensenada, B.C.
Tel: 011-52 (646)178 30 38

Every year, tickets go on sale in the month of June, and you have to be quick to call, because the tickets sell like hot tortillas. Here's the deal: most tickets are sold in Mexico City as corporate packages, so a few are left over for us mere mortals. Tickets for all events are sold separately, as far as I know.

The Paella Cookoff tickets sell the fastest, so you have to be aware of the exact morning they go on sale and ACT QUICKLY.

But, in my book, the biggest and best event (Vendimia or no Vendimia, in all of Baja, year-round) is the FREE one, the Verbena Popular, or Street Fair at the Santo Tomas complex within the city of Ensenada.

At any given moment, there are about ten events (flamenco, jazz, chamber, rock, techno, folk, salsa, huastec, etc.) going on simultaneously in various hidden recesses of the winery, not to mention art exhibits and bazaars, while five thousand people party the night away. The Verbena is famous for being super crowded, loud and perfectly safe, year after year. No fights, no attitude, just a great time being had by all, with bottle of wine in hand.

The Verbena is held on the final Saturday of the festival, and begins at around 4:00 pm, but really picks up steam at around 8:00 pm.
If you don't get there early, you WILL have to park your car several blocks away. Hey, leave the car in your hotel and take a taxi.

As for me, this year I'll be taking the wine bota I bought in Barcelona last October : )