By Tom Gordon

There’s nothing like a quick three- or four-day cruise to recharge your batteries.

Many people look down on Carnival’s “booze” cruises to Ensenada.  Granted the ships are older and no one will confuse Ensenada with Monte Carlo, but the cruises are convenient (if you live in Southern California) and cheap.

But after strolling through the shops of Ensenada, having a margarita or cerveza and seeing the Bufadora (blowhole), what else does Ensenada offer?

On our last cruise we signed up for the Ensenada Wine Country Tour.  Who knew?

An hour or so bus ride from the dock are dozens of  wineries with acres of vines blanketing rolling hills.  OK, Mexican wines aren’t going to challenge those from Napa or France, but they are certainly drinkable — and the price is right.

Carnival’s wine tour is only about $50 and takes four hours.  Any age can go, but you have to be 21 to sample the wines.

The first stop was the large, modern L.A. Cetto Winery.  After a brief tour, we tasted six different wines.  It was a little crowded in the tasting room so get a good spot at the bar first thing.  They served crackers and cheese.  Afterward, you can buy wine at very reasonable prices.  Then as you board the bus they give each passenger a complimentary bottle of their cabernet-melbec blend.

The new stop was Dona Lupe Organic Winery where we had five tastes and delicious pizza in a patio setting with chickens scooting under the tables.  Dona Lupe also sells jams and jellies, spices, pastries and hot sauces.  When the passengers were back on the bus, the winery owner Dona Lupe hopped on to thank everyone.

Many people bought wines (typical prices in the $6-10 range per bottle).  Of course, you have to check those in when you board the ship and get them back when you disembark.  There are customs duties on more than 2 bottles, but we packed our bottles in the suitcase and the customs agent really didn’t seem to care much.

The tour guide was full of fun and very informative.

We thought this was a great little tour and reasonably priced.  If you like wine — or just want to see the countryside — give it a shot.  We booked a tour that left around noon.  It’s probably better to get an early tour and they will drop you off in downtown Ensenada for shopping or a drink.  It’s an easy stroll back to the ship.

I know the violence in Mexico scares some passengers, but Ensenada seems to have escaped that and we have never felt threatened.