Guanajuato’s Wine Country

The state of Guanajuatos Burgeoning Wine Country Takes Visitors Across the Dramatic Terrain and Architecture of the Heart of Mexico

Located in the center of the Mexican map, the state of Guanajuato is a colonial jewel best known for its architecture, traditions, and art scene, but some may find it surprising that its natural light and beauty is also favored by winemakers and one of the worlds newest places for viniculture.

Guanajuatos La Ruta del Vino (The Wine Route) offer more tan 25 wineries right in the center of Mexico, in the Bajío area, known for its year-round spring-like weather and majestic backdrops of evergreens, cacti, farms and haciendas.

Visitors to the area will experience Mexican rural living while tasting fine wines and food pairings. Find out how to pair local wines with international cuisines and learn about the winemaking production process and Mexicos rich history of winemaking at different winery tours and events held throughout the year. It is a fantastic destination for friends getaways, corporate functions, and weddings and honeymoons.

Towards Queretaro

Traveling towards Queretaro, visitors will find the natural, organic, and sustainable space known as Toyan Vineyard, a place full of mysticism and energy that offers exquisite artisanal wines surrounded by unique medieval architecture. This site boasts mysterious experiences in its underground cellar and lounge with tours in three modalities (diamond, gold, and silver) accompanied by a pet-friendly mode. www.vinicolatoyan.com

This tour ends with San Lucas and San Francisco wineries, sister properties just 15 minutes away from SMAs historic center. Among lavender crops, olive trees and grapevines, visitors can enjoy the magic of oenology through sensory experiences: tasting tours of the properties accompanied by lavender workshops. It is worth mentioning that this development also has two hotels, a spa, a pool and two restaurants serving Mediterranean, Mexican, and international cuisine of the best quality. Also available are polo, biking, yoga, horseback riding, grape crushing, and swimming with the day pass service. www.vinedossanlucas.com

Towards Celaya

Heading out on the San Miguel de Allende Highway towards the city of Celaya, visitors will find the 400-year-old San Miguel vineyard, run by the Cuadra family. Its 60 hectares (148 acres) of vineyard are full of 13 varieties of grapes, including three popular in the region: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay. The Bodega San Miguel cellar, measuring 10,000 square meters (108,000 square feet), is one of the largest in the state. This agricultural landscape of great history and beauty is considered a must in the destination. www.vinedosanmiguel.com.mx 

Towards Guanajuato city and Dolores Hidalgo

On the way to Guanajuato City, on a hill overlooking the lights of the Heart of Mexico, lies the San Jose la Vista Vineyard, characterized by many as the most exclusive and beautiful place to celebrate a dream wedding. Employing traditional techniques and materials in the construction of haciendas, its vaults and adobe are star components of this majestic edifice, bringing back to life the essence of Mexican colonial architecture and generating an atmosphere of total tradition. The property boasts a restaurant, wine cellar, gardens, terraces, a hotel and the place where magic happens: the winery. This is an artisanal concept, with first-rate, modern facilities offering Malbec, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot, as well as four tasting options and wine pairing accompanied by a guided tour. www.haciendasanjoselavista.com

Continuing the way to the Pueblo Magico of Dolores Hidalgo, at Km 73 on the highway, is Tres Raices. This grand complex features enormous sculptures and artworks inspired by Mexican culture, a series of lakes and multiple spaces to escape. A complete concept, it offers local cuisine, tastings, wine tours and an underground cellar wrapped in 60 hectares (148 acres). Unique experiences include guests doing tastings while blindfolded to enhance the smell and taste; bottling ones very own wine; and delighting in a five-course tasting menu. Tours of the property and open-air tastings are also available. Tres Raises also boosts a private tasting room, wedding space, a 15-room boutique hotel and the Terruno Restaurant, which was designed with traditional ceramic and talavera pottery in mind. Wines found here include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, and Malbec, as well as the Spanish dessert liquor Mistela. www.viñedotresraices.com

Advancing along the same path, you will find the first winery in Guanajuato, appropriately named Cuna de Tierra, or the Cradle of Earth. This winery offers its visitors four different experiences: tasting tours, food pairings, corporate events or romantic getaways. Cuna de Tierra offers Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Moscatel, Ruby Seedless and Cardinal. www.cunadetierra.com

It is worth noting that all wineries meet the hygiene and safety requirements made by the local, state and federal governments in terms of Covid-19, and visitors may feel comfortable in the environment and can enjoy a pleasant visit.