Mexico's Central Highland Regions: Querétaro and Coahuila

Casa Madero in Parras de la Fuente holds the title of the oldest winery in the Americas, with a history dating back to 1597. In 1597, an endowment of land and permission for the planting of vines and the making of wine and brandy was awarded to Don Lorenzo García with the authorization of King Felipe II of Spain. From 1597 to 1893, the winery changed owners 13 times until it was acquired by Evaristo Madero. Evaristo's grandson, Francisco I. Madero, later emerged as a prominent figure in the Mexican Revolution, advocating for social justice, human rights and democracy, playing a crucial role in overthrowing the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz. In contrast, Finca Sala Vivé by Freixenet was founded in 1979, representing Spain's more recent investment in Mexico's quality wine sector. Casa Madero became Mexico's first organic vineyard in 2012, beginning with a commitment to environmental stewardship in 2008 that led to a four-year detoxification process eliminating all chemical inputs.

• Casa Madero is the oldest winery in the Americas with uninterrupted operation since its foundation, 424+ years old
• Finca Sala Vivé by Freixenet (founded 1979) is one of the largest Mexican wineries
• Casa Madero is Mexico's first organic vineyard, certified in 2012
• In 2010, Casa Madero became the first Mexican vineyard to obtain ISO 9001:2008 Quality Certification

Querétaro's vineyards are nestled in a semi-mountainous landscape at elevations between 1,800-2,000 meters, with the Sierra Gorda mountain range providing a dramatic backdrop. The region has a semi-arid climate with low annual rainfall (around 500-600mm) and despite its location in central Mexico, the high altitude creates moderate temperatures with warm days and cool nights resulting in significant diurnal temperature variation. Parras Valley sits at an altitude of 1,500 meters with warm days, cool nights and low humidity which inhibits insect and fungus damage, with a temperature difference of 12°C (22°F) between day and night beneficial to the grapes. Rainfall in Parras Valley is minimal, ranging between 80 and 100 mm annually, necessitating irrigation for grape cultivation.

• Querétaro: 1,800-2,000m elevation, significant diurnal temperature variation, semi-arid climate (500-600mm annual rainfall)
• Parras: 1,500m elevation, 12°C day-night temperature swing, low humidity inhibiting fungus and insect damage
• Querétaro features diverse soils: clay, calcareous, volcanic, sandy, and alluvial, contributing to unique terroir
• Freixenet's cellar at Sala Vivé is 25 metres deep, the deepest in Latin America

Querétaro focuses primarily on sparkling wines, whites, and rosés, with the most widely grown varieties including Chardonnay, Macabeo, Sauvignon Blanc, and Merlot, used in traditional winemaking and ancestral methods for sparkling wines. The cool, dry climate and limestone-rich soils are ideal for traditional-method wines made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, alongside fresh Sauvignon Blancs. Parras Valley primarily produces reds based on Bordeaux such as cabernet sauvignon, Shiraz, merlot and Tempranillo. Casa Madero produces varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Malbec, and Chardonnay.

• Sala Vivé produces sparkling wines elaborated under traditional method with 18 months aging, made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Ugni Blanc
• Casa Madero produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Malbec, and Chardonnay
• Mexico's most refined sparkling wines come from Querétaro, where elevations around 2,000 meters and limestone-rich soils create ideal conditions for traditional-method wines
• In 2016, Sala Vivé's 'Viña Dolores Brut Reserva' won the first Grand Gold for a Mexican sparkling wine at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles

Finca Sala Vivé by Freixenet, founded in 1979 and located in Ezequiel Montes, is one of the Mexican wineries with the largest production in the region. Querétaro is the largest area to make sparkling wine in Mexico, followed by Baja California. Casa Madero, nestled in Parras de la Fuente in Coahuila, holds the title of the oldest winery in the Americas. Casa Madero is a world-class winery with over a thousand international medals, earning prestigious awards such as Double Gold medals in Vinus Argentina, Grand Gold awards in Vinitaly Italy, and Best Wine in Vinalies Internationales France.

• Sala Vivé (Freixenet): Founded 1979; one of Mexico's largest sparkling wine producers
• Casa Madero: Established 1597; oldest winery in the Americas with continuous production history
• Casa Madero remains a family-owned business producing continuously since 1597
• Casa Madero stands as a benchmark in the international wine industry, renowned for continuous innovation, distinctive certifications and global accolades

The Denominación de Origen Parras encompasses several vineyards and wineries, with official designation guaranteeing the region's commitment to producing high-quality wines adhering to rigorous standards of quality, terroir, and tradition. Querétaro does not yet have formal DO classification but operates under national Mexican wine regulations. Freixenet México is a member of the Henkell-Freixenet family of wineries, bringing international Cava expertise to Mexico's emerging sparkling wine category.

• Parras has Denominación de Origen status guaranteeing quality standards and traditional production methods
• Querétaro is Mexico's largest sparkling wine region, followed by Baja California
• Freixenet Mexico makes sparkling wines using traditional methods but cannot call them Cava due to geographic designation rules
• Both regions subject to Mexican NOM wine regulations and export certification requirements

Casa Madero offers tours of its facilities set against majestic landscapes that whisper tales of centuries-old traditions, where guests are invited to savor the unparalleled excellence of award-winning wines. At Bodega Sala Vivé in Ezequiel Montes, visitors can tour the facilities and the unique cellar at a depth of 25 metres. Visiting Casa Madero means delving into more than 400 years of history, touring centuries-old vineyards, and tasting wines that reflect both the land and the tradition that gave rise to them. The key wine-producing municipalities in Querétaro are Tequisquiapan, Ezequiel Montes, and San Juan del Río, areas that have developed a robust wine tourism infrastructure with wineries, cheese dairies, and events enriching the visitor experience.

• Casa Madero: Free tours and small museum located eight kilometers north of Parras town; wines include Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon
• Sala Vivé: Located in Ezequiel Montes; offers tours with cellar access at 25 metres depth with guide explanations
• Querétaro has gained renown as the capital of sparkling wine in Mexico thanks to its altitude over 1,900 meters and ideal climate for cultivating fresh grapes with good acidity
• Parras de la Fuente's major festival is its annual week-long Grape Fair, held in early August