Valle de Guadalupe on Mexico’s Baja peninsula may get the lion’s share of attention when it comes to great Mexican wines. However, another state in Mexico has begun to gain the attention of international wine experts and oenophiles alike.
Aguascalientes, located in the center of Mexico roughly six hours north of Mexico City, has a wine-producing tradition that dates back more than four centuries. And with the wine beginning to earn worldwide acclaim, the state has developed a Ruta del Vino for travelers who want to learn more about its indigenous beverage.
Though it’s one of the smallest states in Mexico, Aguascalientes is the fifth-largest wine-producing region in the country. Its elevation (more than 6,500 feet above sea level) and semi-dry climate have afforded winemakers ideal conditions to produce grapes like nebbiolo, malbec and sauvignon blanc, among many others.
Award winners
The state took home eight medals in the Mexico Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles Guanajuato 2021 competition, where blind taste tests for European and American judges led to two Grand Gold medals, three Gold medals and three Silver medals. And one Aguascalientes winery, Vinicola Santa Elena, took home the Gold Medal at the 2023 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles competition held in Croatia. (The winery is open for guided tours and walks through the vineyards, barrel room tastings and live music on the patio.)
The state has more than 740 acres of vineyards in all, spread across 24 wineries. The Ruta del Vino traverses the state, taking guests to artisanal shops and historical haciendas in addition to wineries. Visitors can try more than 206 labels while also indulging in locally produced olive oils, fine cheeses and cured meats.
In addition to the aforementioned Vinicola Santa Elena, standout wineries along the route include:
• Casa Quesada Winery, a family-run operation just 20 minutes from Aguascalientes’ eponymous capital city. The winery and vineyards offer fabulous food and high-quality wines with panoramic views over the landscape.
• Casa Leal Vineyards, which was founded in 1969. It sits along the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a Unesco Cultural Heritage of Humanity Site.
This year’s harvest season is a great time for clients to get acquainted with the wine route. As August and September approach, local wineries and vineyards are dialing up the energy, and the state plans events and festivals to mark the occasion, including vineyard tours, wine tastings, food pairings and live music.
The Ruta del Vino website has all the information agents and their clients will need about wineries and harvest season events.
