When you think of wine, you might picture France or California. But did you know Mexico was the first place in the Americas to grow wine grapes – starting in the 1500s? Today, its wine scene is booming with bold blends, coastal vineyards, and centuries-old roots.

What’s Mexican wine like?

Mexican wines are bold, creative, and full of personality. You’ll find many types of grapes, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Nebbiolo, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc. Wineries love to blend different grapes, but single-varietal wines (just one grape) are getting popular too.

How do grapes grow in the heat?

Mexico’s wine regions are hot, but they also sit at high altitudes or near the ocean—two things that help cool the air. It doesn’t rain much, so wineries use irrigation to grow their vines. These unique conditions give the wines a rich flavor, sometimes with a salty or mineral twist.

Where to taste Mexican wine?

Most wine comes from Baja California, especially the Valle de Guadalupe. It’s full of small, friendly wineries and fancy restaurants with ocean views. Other regions like Coahuila, Querétaro, and Guanajuato also grow great wine, and many are easy day trips from central Mexico.

With a wine history that spans five centuries, Mexico has quietly built a reputation as one of the most surprising and promising wine regions in the world. From its colonial roots to the booming boutique wineries of Baja California, here’s an engaging journey through the vineyards of Mexico.

Spanish roots and colonial beginnings

Wine in Mexico began with the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century.

After conquering the Aztec Empire in 1521, Hernán Cortés and his men soon ran out of wine from Spain. The quick solution? Start planting grapes. Cortés ordered vineyards to be established throughout New Spain (Mexico), using grapevines brought from Europe.

While indigenous grapes did exist, they weren’t ideal for winemaking. European vines thrived in the Mexican climate, especially in regions like Coahuila, Zacatecas, and Puebla. By the 17th century, winemaking in New Spain had grown so successful that Spanish wine exports began to fall.

This success worried the Spanish Crown.

In 1699, King Charles II banned winemaking in the colonies, with an exception for Church wine. The ban was an attempt to protect the Spanish wine markets back in Europe. But many missionaries quietly ignored the rule, especially Jesuits in remote missions.

Casa Madero: a legacy from 1597

The town of Santa María de las Parras in Coahuila is home to Casa Madero.

Casa Madero is the oldest winery in the Americas, founded in 1597. The region’s climate and water resources made it ideal for grape growing. Interestingly, cuttings from these vines were later used to plant vineyards in Napa Valley and South America.

Despite the royal prohibition, small-scale wine production continued throughout the colonial period, largely under the care of missionaries and religious orders. Jesuit priest Juan Ugarte planted Baja California’s first vines in 1701.

Wine through war and revolution

From the late 1700s to the mid-1800s, most of Mexico’s wine came from missions and monasteries. Baja California’s Santo Tomás Mission became a major center. In 1843, the nearby Guadalupe Valley began producing grapes under Dominican oversight.

The Valley would later be compared to France’s Rhone Valley and California’s Napa.

Mexico’s Reform War in the 1850s led to the confiscation of church lands. Most mission wineries were abandoned. But in 1888, former mission lands were sold and transformed into Bodegas Santo Tomás, the country’s first large commercial winery.

During the Porfiriato (1880–1910), winemaking grew and spread. Russian immigrants known as Molokans brought expertise and enthusiasm, especially to northern Baja. Unfortunately, the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920) disrupted this growth as lands were seized or abandoned.

A new era: the rebirth in the 1980s

Winemaking slowly regained its footing throughout the 20th century.

But it wasn’t until the 1980s that a true renaissance began. At its peak, production reached four million cases per year. Baja California, home to 90% of Mexico’s wine, saw a surge in boutique vineyards and modern winemaking techniques.

Today, the Valle de Guadalupe is a hub for wine innovation. Some call it the “next Napa Valley,” thanks to its ideal conditions: sunny days, cool ocean breezes, and deep granite-rich soil.

Wine culture and consumption in modern Mexico

Despite its history, Mexico is not a traditional wine-drinking country. Beer, tequila, and mezcal are still the preferred drinks. Per capita, Mexicans only consume about two glasses of wine per year.

A hefty 40% tax on wine makes it more expensive than beer or spirits. However, this is slowly changing. Wine is becoming more popular in major cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Puebla, and tourist hubs such as Cancún and Cabo San Lucas.

Interestingly, brandy (distilled wine) is far more popular than wine itself in Mexico. The country ranks fourth globally in brandy consumption, behind the Philippines, Germany, and Equatorial Guinea.

Wine Map

Wine regions of Mexico

Mexico has three primary wine-producing regions:

  • Northern Region: Baja California and Sonora
  • La Laguna Region: Coahuila and Durango
  • Central Region: Querétaro, Aguascalientes, and Zacatecas

Special case: In the heart of Tarahumara country, near Copper Canyon, lies Cerocahui. The town’s Jesuit mission dates to 1680. Though nearly forgotten, the town saw a wine revival in the late 20th century, with cuttings from centuries-old vines saved and replanted.

Today, over 4,000 vines are under cultivation here.

Wine festivals and events in Mexico

Wine tourism has become a booming part of Mexico’s travel industry, especially in Baja California. The Ruta del Vino (Wine Route) connects more than 50 wineries across Ensenada’s valleys with upscale hotels, museums, and restaurants.

Fiesta de la Vendimia in Valle de Guadalupe in Ensenada: Held annually in the Baja California wine region (typically late July to early August), this flagship harvest festival features wine tastings from over 80 wineries, pairing dinners, paella contests, concerts, and guided vineyard tours.

Noche de Cofradía in Ensenada. This gastronomic competition held during Vendimia brings together restaurants and wineries in creative food-and-wine pairings. It takes place at the Ensenada cruise terminal and attracts thousands.

Concurso Internacional “Ensenada, Tierra del Vino”. Organized annually by the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California in Ensenada, it’s Mexico’s premier international wine competition—judged by an expert panel and showcasing top wines.

Bibayoff Russian Festival (Valle de Guadalupe). Hosted by Bibayoff Winery in tribute to the Russian Molokan settlers, this small-scale festival blends wine, Russian cuisine, and folk music, celebrating the area’s immigrant viticultural history.

Feria de la Uva y el Vino in Parras de la Fuente (Coahuila). A regional harvest festival held in early August, organized by Casa Madero. It features grape and wine tastings, concerts, crafts, fireworks, a royal parade, and charreadas (Mexican rodeo events).

Feria Nacional del Queso y el Vino in Tequisquiapan (Querétaro). This popular festival takes place over several weekends in May–June. It combines regional wines, artisanal cheeses, cooking demos, live music, and cultural activities in the magical town of Tequisquiapan.

GastroVino Baja Food & Wine Festival in Todos Santos. Usually held in late November or early December, this festival celebrates Baja California Sur’s food and wine scene. Expect gourmet tastings, local wines, chef showcases, music, and art in the charming town of Todos Santos.

Other festivals and events:

  • Malagon Family Celebration
  • Wine and Food Fest in Cabo San Lucas
  • Guadalajara Winefest in November

The future of Mexican wine

With increased investment, improved techniques, and growing global recognition, the future of Mexican wine is bright. It still faces challenges, such as high domestic taxes and limited distribution, but the quality continues to improve.

The new generations of winemakers are innovative, blending traditional methods with modern approaches. Mexican wines are exported to 38 countries. They appear on the menus of high-end restaurants and in the glasses of curious wine enthusiasts worldwide.