Exploring the Underrated Grape Farms of La Union

Denise Fernandez

Last updated 15 Mar 2024

Photo Credit: @the_stonesteels on Instagram

While La Union is renowned for surfing, another thing worth visiting this seaside town for is its delectable selection of grape farms

If you’ve been to the renowned seaside town of La Union, you probably already know how popular it is as a beach and surfing destination. But also, you most likely might have passed through the municipality of Bauang while heading to San Juan or San Fernando. Driving through the road, tourists and passersby would see multiple signs that say “grape farm” or “grape picking,” along with stunning vineyards that stretch along the sides.

While most people visit La Union to hit the beach and catch some waves, grape harvesting is still an underrated activity. Vineyards are more popular in places like California, Italy, France, and other places in the west where the weather is much cooler than the Philippines’ tropical climate. However, grapes actually grow better in hotter weather, and this province is teeming with juicy, plump grapes that thrive under the heat of the La Union sun.

A History of Grapes in Bauang

The famous grapes of Bauang have been around since the 1970s, first introduced by Avelino Lomboy, the Philippines very own “Grape King.” What started out as a simple hobby turned into something actually profitable for the family, which prompted Lomboy to close his piggery and manage his vineyard full-time. From a humble number of 20 cuttings grew to something even larger for the municipality. Eventually, he shared his grape cuttings and knowledge to other families in Bauang, until it grew to a municipality recognized for its vineyards and juicy grapes that travelers love returning for.

There are multiple vineyards open for exploring and grape picking in Bauang. Anyone who drops by this location can surround themselves with hanging grapes and pretend they’re in the outskirts of France or Italy! The best time to head to these farms is in the summer or during the dry season, where rains are scarce and the fruits are ripe enough to eat and take home. Apart from grapes, most of the vineyards have wine, juices, jams, and other La Union goods that you can bring back to your loved ones as pasalubong.

As for which farm you should head to, Bauang has a ton of options lined up one right after another. Some have certain activities on the vineyards, while others have no entrance fees (apart from the grapes you plan to pick, of course!).

The following grape farms are open for all your fruit-picking and wine needs:

Lomboy Farms
Gapuz Grapes Farm
Calica Grapes Farm
Manguerra Grapes Farm
Orpilla Estigoy Grapes Farm
Supremo's Grapes
Danny Ancheta's Grapes Farm

1. Lomboy Farms

Lomboy Farms is the site of the pioneers of grapes growing in Bauang, so you already know you’re in for quality in this location. The farm offers packages for grape picking, farm tours, and even wine tasting sessions where its expert moderators will guide you through choosing the finest bunches. Farmers are trained vigorously so that Lomboy Farms’ grapes grow fresh and plump. Apart from that, it is also the site of Uvas Cafe, the family’s very own vineyard cafe where visitors are free to dine al fresco on classic Filipino comfort food such as tapsilog, longsilog, pork sisig, among others. Also, don’t miss out on their grape filled offerings, like their Grape Pizza and Grape Float!

Lomboy Farms

Address: Manila North Road 2501 Bauang, La Union
Entrance Fee: PHP 100
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7AM-4PM
Contact Details: (072) 705 2105, Official Facebook Page

2. Gapuz Grapes Farm

Gapuz Grapes Farm is also one of the more popular vineyards in the area. The Gapuzes have expanded into more farms along Bauang, but they all share the same motto of “The Porch Life,” where their family welcomes guests as a big group of friends instead of customers.

For those on a budget, good news: there is no entrance fee for this farm. Visitors need only to pay for the grapes and goods they’re interested in purchasing, or a small fee for those who simply want to take pictures within the vicinity. Feel free to talk to the owners or employees in the area, who’d be happy to tell you more about the grapes they grow.

Gapuz Grapes Farm

Address: Brgy, MacArthur Highway, Bauang, 2501 La Union
Entrance Fee: Free (Pick and pay)
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7AM-5PM
Contact Details: 0915 778 4594, Official Facebook Page

3. Calica Grapes Farm

Established in the ‘80s by Virgilio Calica, who used to work on Lomboy Farms, Calica Grapes Farm now has a whopping 2000 sqm of land along with approximately 600 grape trees, which began from only 76 cuttings in its heyday. The vineyard offers various types of grapes and even has a guapple farm for visitors looking for something a little different. Calica Grapes also has a pick-and-pay policy much like Gapuz Grapes Farm and some wine and drink selections that customers can choose from.

Calica Grapes Farm

Address: Manila N Road, Urayong, Bauang La Union 2501 Bauang
Entrance Fee: Free (Pick and pay)
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7AM-5PM
Contact Details: 0907 905 0303, Official Facebook Page

4. Manguerra Grapes Farm

Another pick-and-pay farm is Manguerra Grapes Farm, a property with plump fruits that’ll look amazing on anyone’s Instagram feed. Apart from the usual grapes and fruits, Manguerra also offers different types of wine from their own produce. While you’re free to purchase your usual red cardinal grape wine, it also has guapple wine and pitaya (dragonfruit) wine that goes for around PHP250 per bottle. Tour guides come free, but guests are more than welcome to offer a generous tip for their hard work.

Manguerra Grapes Farm

Address: Bauang, Manila N Rd, la union, Bauang, La Union
Entrance Fee: Free (Pick and pay)
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7AM-6PM
Contact Details: 0977 457 8737, Official Facebook Page

5. Orpilla Estigoy Grapes Farm

Orpilla Estigoy Grapes Farm is also among the more renowned vineyards in Bauang, and has been featured in various media outlets around the country. This pick-and-pay property sells grape cuttings, so if you happen to have a farm somewhere or are planning to grow some grapes on your own, you can inquire and purchase some right here. The vineyard also has a place for guapples and includes various wines for sale--the perfect pasalubong for the wine lovers in your life!

Orpilla Estigoy Grapes Farm

Address: Bauang, Manila N Rd, la union, Bauang, La Union
Entrance Fee: Free (Pick and pay)
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7AM-7PM
Contact Details: 0921 966 4895, Official Facebook Page

6. Supremo’s Grapes

Supremo’s Grapes is a vineyard owned by the Mangaong-Dumo clan, another prominent grape growing family in Bauang. It’s highly known for its red cardinal fruits and cuttings, which guests can purchase easily. Its Instagrammable farms and vineyards make this place a worthy stop on your La Union itinerary.

Supremo’s Grapes

Address: PNR, Urayong, Caba, La Union
Entrance Fee: Free (Pick and pay)
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7AM-7PM
Contact Details: 0907 072 4916, Official Website

7. Danny Ancheta’s Grapes Farm

For travelers looking for good grapes along with good food, Danny Ancheta’s Grapes Farm is the place to be. Like other vineyards, it has your usual pick-and-pay policy, wine offerings, grape cuttings, grape seedlings, and other fruits for sale. However, it does have an extensive menu for its boodle fights, with various local dishes that both Filipinos and international travelers will adore, like sisig, liempo, buko salads, pinakbet, and more. This one is for the foodies.

Danny Ancheta’s Grapes Farm