The wine valleys in Mexico

Wine in Mexico is a growing industry where the passion that producers put into it is evident, as each winery and vineyard preserves a piece of the history of its evolution, from the arrival of the vine with the Spanish to the present day.

For this reason, touring the valleys where red, white or sparkling wine is produced in Mexico is an unmissable adventure for any lover of a good glass.

Today we are going to talk to you about the wineries and the main wine producing valleys in Mexico . If you are interested in learning a little more about this, keep reading.

How many wineries are there in Mexico?

According to the Mexican Wine Council, there are around 230 wineries in operation in Mexico , however, this does not mean that they are the main suppliers of wine, since Mexican wine represents 30 % of the annual supply, meaning that 70% of the wine consumed by Mexicans is imported.

It is difficult to predict the speed at which the industry will grow, however, it is estimated that wine has not yet been democratized, meaning that the amount of consumption in Mexico is increasing among current drinkers , who are around 2.5 million people.

40% of all wine is consumed in Mexico City and in tourist centers. The most consumed wine is red wine with around 62% while the rest is divided mainly between white and sparkling wine.

Where can I visit a winery in Mexico?

The CMV (2021) states that “In addition to Baja California and the famous Valle de Guadalupe, in Mexico there are 14 producing states , in which 18 varieties of grapes are grown in states such as Aguascalientes, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Nuevo León, Querétaro, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Sonora and Zacatecas”.

Ensenada, Baja California, the wine route par excellence

Wine in Baja California developed hand in hand with the evangelization missions due to its importance in Eucharistic celebrations. Father Juan de Ugarte was the first to begin planting vines in the 18th century; thus , towards the end of that century, wine production was in the hands of the church.

An important change occurred at the beginning of the 20th century with the arrival of 60 Russian Molokan families who were persecuted by the Tsar's empire ; and who, in their search for a more peaceful place for their families , settled in the Guadalupe Valley . However, their religion prohibited them from consuming alcoholic beverages, so at first they dedicated themselves to the cultivation of wheat and other grains.

It was around the 1950s that, following a drought, they began to revive the cultivation of vines, which is favored by the Mediterranean climate of the area, which, combined with its microclimates, richness in minerals in the soil, and high solar exposure, allow the vines to develop ideally.

The wine-growing area is located in the municipality of Ensenada and includes the valleys of Guadalupe , San Vicente, Ojos Negros, Santo Tomás, Tecate and San Jacinto. The region produces about 95% of Mexican wine . (CMV, 2021)

In fact, the wine-growing region of Ensenada and the Guadalupe valleys is the one that has the largest production of Mexican wine , around 95% of it, which is why Baja California has established itself as one of the most important and recognized states with wine culture in the country.

Activities on the Baja California Wine Route

Wine routes and the development of wine tourism have contributed to the wine route in Ensenada gaining international prestige. Tijuana is the starting point, with a varied entertainment and gastronomic offer consolidated since the 1920s when the prohibition of alcohol consumption in the United States turned the city into a paradise of partying and freedom.

The road to the wine route on a trip along the Ensenada Scenic Road with the sea always in sight suggests visits to Rosarito and Puerto Nuevo to try the famous lobster tacos.

Arriving in the city of Ensenada and visiting the wine route offers a variety of options from family-run wineries to high-quality, affordable wine and food experiences .

What is a food and wine experience?

An enogastronomic experience is a term that encompasses two words: enology and gastronomy, that is, an experience that includes wine and food . Wineries in the Guadalupe Valley and other regions in Mexico surprise their visitors with wine tastings that are sometimes accompanied by snacks, cheeses or even chocolates.

El Cielo is a winery that offers everything from wine tastings reds , sparkling wines, rosés and whites in pleasant outdoor spaces or in the underground cellar, to complete menus and wine pairings , wine tastings with chocolates , the opportunity to try wines directly from the barrels or for true red wine lovers, the opportunity to blend your own wine with the help of the expert team of sommeliers and oenologists.

I would add a farewell, as you can find out more about Mexican red wines on our blog and the content we have prepared for you.