Valle de Guadalupe / Baja California | Mexico

Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila DO Wine Guide

The Americas' oldest wines — desert-altitude structure, 400+ years of history

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, MalbecServe 16–17°CAge 8–20 years

Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila wine colour in the glass — Typical colourDeep purple

Overview

The Americas' oldest wine region — Francisco de Urdiñola planted the first vines here in 1597 at 1,500m altitude in the Chihuahuan Desert oasis. Casa Madero, founded 1626, is the Western Hemisphere's oldest winery in continuous operation. The desert altitude and cool nights produce structured, age-worthy reds of genuine character, very different from Baja California's Mediterranean style.

In The Glass

Colour: Deep purple
Nose: Dark plum, Blackcurrant, Black cherry, Vanilla and Cedar.
Palate: The Americas' oldest wines — desert-altitude structure, 400+ years of history. Generally full-bodied, medium acidity, firm tannins, dry, with a long finish.

Tasting Profile

Body Full4/5

Tannins Firm4/5

Acidity Medium3/5

Sweetness Bone Dry1/5

Alcohol High4/5

Grapes

Cabernet SauvignonMerlotMalbecTempranilloZinfandel

Aromas And Notes

Dark plumBlackcurrantBlack cherrySpiceVanillaCedarChocolateDesert herbsTobaccoLeatherEarth

Terroir

Desert continental — high altitude (1,500m), low rainfall, extreme diurnal range. Natural oasis spring water for irrigation.

LimestoneSandy desert loamCalcareous clay

Food Pairings

Cabrito (roast kid goat)Machaca (dried beef)Chile en nogadaAged Manchego Mexicano

Notable Producers

Casa Madero, founded 1626 - 3V Cabernet-Merlot-Shiraz
Hacienda El Santuario, founded 1860 - Tempranillo Reserva

At a Glance

Mexico is the oldest wine-producing country in the Americas — the Spanish planted vines at Parras, Coahuila in 1597. But Baja California's Valle de Guadalupe, just 90km south of San Diego, is the real revolution: a sun-baked Mediterranean valley where a community of artisanal winemakers, chefs and artists have created one of the world's most exciting wine-and-food cultures. The 'Napa of Mexico' is drawing international attention.

RegionValle de Guadalupe / Baja California

CountryMexico

Finishlong

Historyc. 1597 CE

Great Vintages

200520102012201620182021

Ancient Patrons

CoyolxauhquiAztec

Moon goddess, agriculture and seasons

The Aztec peoples cultivated fermented agave and fruit pulque long before Spanish contact. Spanish missionaries combined this indigenous fermentation knowledge with European viticulture from the 1520s.

TlalocAztec / Mesoamerican

God of Rain and Agriculture

Tlaloc, the rain deity venerated across Mesoamerica, governed the agricultural calendar that determined harvest timing. Spanish missionaries adopted harvest festivals into Catholic celebrations, many of which continue in Baja wine culture today.

Santo Tomás MissionDominican Catholic

Founders of Baja viticulture

Dominican missionaries established the Mission Santo Tomás in 1791, planting the first Baja California vineyards. The mission winery — Bodegas de Santo Tomás — is still operating, making it the oldest continuously producing winery in Mexico.

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