Last Updated on November 11, 2024
An unknown author once said, “Wine is, perhaps, the closest thing the planet has to an elixir of life.
Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love Mexico. Just like me, many travelers have been drawn to this country’s celebrated beaches, magnificent cities, fascinating history and cultural attractions. But did you know that Mexico also boasts three off-the-beaten track wine regions that offer award-winning wines, cuisine and fascinating accommodations?
The country’s wine history dates back to the early colonial period, but it’s in recent decades that Mexico’s wine industry has begun to gain international recognition.
Let’s explore the three most prominent wine regions of Mexico.
Valle de Guadalupe
Baja Mexico is the most famous and largest wine-producing region in Mexico, accounting for 90% of the country’s wine production with more than 120 wineries dotting the valley. Valle de Guadalupe is located an hour and a half drive south of the U.S. border, near the city of Ensenada, and the valley of Valle de Guadalupe is its heart.
Often called the “Napa of Mexico,” this wine region has gained a reputation for its Mediterranean-like climate, with warm days and cool nights. The area is ideal for growing grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel.
Valle de Guadalupe’s mix of soil types (including clay, sand, and limestone) and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean make it an excellent terroir for wine production. The moderate temperature and coastal breezes help preserve acidity in the grapes, leading to wines that are balanced and flavorful.
Notable Valle de Guadalupe Wineries
Monte Xanic Winery
Monte Xanic is one of the most recognized wineries in all of Mexico. Founded in 1987, this vineyard’s vibes rival those of some Napa Valley wineries. This is one of the best places to taste fine wines in all of Valle de Guadalupe, creating quality varietals such as the Gran Ricardo that positioned Mexico on the international oenology map.
Wine enthusiasts will love the Chenin Colombard. This wine is a blend of Chenin Blanc and French Colombard grapes, and has won international awards.
El Cielo Winery
This winery resort which means “heaven” in English is located among more than 70 acres of vineyards contributing to the production of Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Nebbiolo and more, accounting for over 30 different wine varietals.
Now, 75% of the vineyards are certified organic. Instead of using chemicals or nets, the daily presence of resident falcons serves as a natural predatory system.
The tasting room and property are stunning and this is definitely a place you could hang out for the day as it’s welcoming, relaxing, and offers so much to do and see including its incredible sipping wines named after the universe.
Adobe Guadalupe Winery
This creatively designed mission-style hacienda on 60 acres of vineyards is also a horse-riding property. Proprietor Tru Miller describes Valle de Guadalupe as “the essence of Mexican wine.”
The winery specializes in Bordeaux and Rhone style red blends with fascinating “Archangel” names such as Rafael, Gabriel and Miguel.
L.A. Cetto
This is the oldest winery you’re likely to visit in Valle de Guadalupe. Founded in the 1970s, it is the largest wine producer in Mexico with verdant vineyards spanning for thousands of acres throughout the area.
Though it may not be considered a world-class winery, the wines such as the Petite Sirah are noteworthy, and the affordable price point makes L.A. Cetto a popular destination for those on their first wine trip to Valle de Guadalupe.
Guanajuato
The Mexican War of Independence kicked off in Guanajuato in 1810. Revolutionary leader Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla taught native people to cultivate vineyards for wine production as a means to encourage economic self-reliance. The government’s attempts to squash these activities, which included soldiers burning vineyards, helped spur the revolution.
Situated 6,000 feet above sea level, this wine region in the highlands just northwest of Mexico City is one of the lesser-known, but emerging wine-producing areas in Mexico.
The region’s climate and terrain are well-suited for viticulture due to a semi-arid climate with significant altitude (the vineyards are typically planted at elevations between 5,200 to 6,900 feet above sea level), which provides cooler temperatures during the growing season. This altitude helps to produce grapes with good acidity and balance, which is important for making high-quality wines.
The soil in Guanajuato is diverse, with clay, limestone, and volcanic components that contribute to the terroir, adding complexity to the wines.
Notable Guanajuato Wineries
Bodega Dos Búhos
Located near Dolores Hidalgo, Bodega Dos Búhos is one of the most well-known wineries in the region. This family-owned business focuses on producing high-quality wines, including reds, whites, and sparkling wines and known for its attention to detail, sustainable practices and excellent customer service.
Signature wines here include Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay along with their sparkling wine (made in the traditional method).
Visitors can enjoy guided tours through the vineyards, followed by tastings in their modern yet rustic facilities.
Cuna de Tierra
Another leading winery in the region, also in Dolores Hidalgo, Cuna de Tierra quickly made a name for itself when it was founded in 2005 with a commitment to producing premium wines. It’s widely considered one of the pioneers in Guanajuato’s modern wine industry.
The winery is best known for its blends including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah along with Finca de Cuna de Tierra.
Viñedo Los Arcángeles
The location of this boutique winery surrounded by vineyards, olive trees and lavender fields is ideal given its close proximity to San Miguel de Allende, one of Mexico’s most beloved and picturesque towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Viñedo Los Arcángeles’ focus is creating small-lot artisanal wines with a highly personalized approach to the winemaking process. Signature wines are created from a mix of international varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Syrah. Their Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon blends are particularly popular.
Querétaro
Located at the base of the Sierra Gorda mountains, east of the Gunajuanto state, Querétaro is in the southernmost wine region of Mexico. It’s also one of the first places that grapes were planted in the New World.
The Querétaro wine trail stretches 30 miles from San Juan del Río to Bernal, an exceptionally picturesque part of the state with vineyards at around 6,500 feet in elevation. It’s known for its incredible sparkling wines with close to 30 vineyards now dotting the landscape and renowned for its fine cheeses, so ideal to pair with its quality wines.
The climate in Querétaro is ideal for growing grapes, especially when considering the balance between warm days and cool nights, which is crucial for wine quality.
The regions vineyards, located from over 5,000 to 6,500 feet above sea level allow for a natural cooling effect the vines love. The altitude also helps to extend the growing season, allowing the grapes to ripen more slowly and develop more complex flavors. The clay-limestone soil is rich in minerals imparting structure and complexity to varietals such as Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.
Notable Querétaro Wineries
San Juanito
A premier vineyard and winery in Querétaro’s Bernal Valley boasting over 100 international awards, San Juanito offers an unmatched viticultural experience in the heart of Mexico.
The first winery in Mexico to be certified as “Carbon Neutral,” San Juanito planted vines brought from France with a selection that would best work for the characteristics of the Mexican land.
Winery favorites include a sparkling rose using traditional Chamonoise method, Malbecs and Syrah aged 34 months in French oak barrels.
Freixenet México
This is the largest sparkling wine maker in Mexico with quite a “bubbly” history.
Freixenet arrived in Mexico in 1978, planted its first vineyards in 1982 and released its first sparkling wine in 1984. One of the most fun aspects of a visit here is taking a guided tour to the wine cellar at a depth of over 80 feet, the deepest in Latin America. Guests can also enjoy wine at a tasting room or even take a ride through the picturesque vineyards by horseback.
De Cote Casa Vitivinicola
The grounds of this bucolic winery are spectacular and with a taste for the agriculture and the countryside, the Calderón brothers decided that it was time to give shape to their hobby… making wine. The setting is quiet and peaceful, adding a special quality to the winery experience.
Multiple tours are offered along with wine tasting with a combination of whites, roses, reds and reserves.
Word in the wine world is that Mexico is likely to see more wine regions emerging as contenders for quality varietals in areas where the terroir, climate, creativity, knowledge and other factors influence the types of wine Mexico can produce.
