Wine tourism in Querétaro reaches its highest point between June and October, when the state’s vineyards celebrate the grape harvest with festivals, tastings, concerts, and the traditional grape stomping ceremony. The 2026 harvest season has already begun, and several important events are still scheduled.
The main setting is the Art, Cheese, and Wine Route, a corridor that crosses eight municipalities: Huimilpan, El Marqués, Colón, San Juan del Río, Tequisquiapan, Ezequiel Montes, Cadereyta, and Pedro Escobedo. Two of them, Tequisquiapan and Cadereyta, are recognized as Magical Towns. In the middle of the route, the Peña de Bernal stands out as an unmistakable visual landmark.
The Numbers Behind Wine Tourism in Querétaro
The state’s Tourism Secretariat reports that Querétaro has more than 500 hectares planted with grapevines, with 80% dedicated to wine production. Every year, the state produces 3.5 million bottles across more than 300 labels.
Querétaro holds the first place nationally in the production and export of sparkling wine made through the traditional method. Around 60,000 nine-liter cases are exported annually to markets in the United States, Asia, and Europe.
The Art, Cheese, and Wine Route includes more than 35 vineyards and wineries, 11 artisanal cheese producers, and tourism infrastructure made up of 246 hotels with 5,076 rooms. For this season, more than 400,000 visitors are expected.
Cheese is not an accidental addition to the route’s name. The region has a long dairy tradition, and artisanal cheese producers work alongside wineries. The pairing of a Querétaro red wine with a locally aged cheese is one of the main reasons many visitors choose to complete the entire route instead of visiting only one vineyard.
Xtrail Bernal-Vineyards: Running Through Vineyards
The 12th edition of the Xtrail Bernal-Vineyards brought together 2,150 runners from different parts of the country. The route begins in the streets of Bernal and continues through the vineyards of Ezequiel Montes.
Participants pass through Sala Vivé by Freixenet, De Cote, and Viñedos Azteca, with the Peña de Bernal visible for much of the race.
The competition is divided into four distances: 5, 10, 15, and 21 kilometers. The 10-kilometer category had the highest participation, with 830 runners, followed by the 5-kilometer race with 720 participants. The 15-kilometer route had 460 competitors, while the 21-kilometer race included 140 of the most experienced runners.
Vendimia Donato: The Night Festival of Masks
Viñedos Donato has created its own identity during harvest season. Its festival takes place at night and features masks, something unique among wineries in the region. The dress code is white, referencing ancient grape-stomping traditions.
The 2026 edition took place on June 27. Visitors toured the vineyard, winery, and cellar, participated in tastings and grape stomping, and ended the evening with live music. The event featured Grupo Mantequilla and a violin performance.
Each year, Donato presents a commemorative mask. The 2026 version was inspired by soccer and the World Cup atmosphere, referencing the FIFA World Cup hosted again by Mexico this year.
For those who missed the main festival, Vendimias Petite events remain available. These are smaller and more private celebrations organized by Donato on Saturdays during July.
Viñedos El Sueño and Its Spanish Influence
The upcoming wine tourism calendar in Querétaro has a strong Andalusian influence. On July 25, Viñedos El Sueño will host the first edition of the Royal Flamenco-Iberian Harvest Festival in Ezequiel Montes.
The program includes an equestrian show featuring Lusitanian horses and a performance by Spanish flamenco dancer Joaquín Cortés, one of the most recognized living figures of the genre. Also participating will be Emilio García Ortigosa, considered one of the best ham cutters in the world.
The gastronomic experience will be led by chef Francisco Gutiérrez Lara, National Director of the International Valencian Paella Competition of Sueca. Visitors will enjoy a paella demonstration prepared using traditional techniques.
The vineyard also announced plans to expand its offerings with a boutique hotel featuring adult villas and a golf course, strengthening the luxury tourism sector within the wine region.
How to Enjoy the Season and Discover Wine Tourism in Querétaro
The harvest season lasts until October, with August usually being the busiest month. Each winery creates its own unique experience: Donato focuses on nighttime celebrations, Sala Vivé on major concerts, and El Sueño on flamenco. This variety allows visitors to plan several weekends without repeating the same experience.
The 2026 calendar has an additional attraction: the FIFA World Cup coincides with the harvest season, and Querétaro is located along the route between Mexico City and Guadalajara. The state’s Tourism Secretariat is already working to attract visitors traveling through the region during the tournament, which could increase attendance at vineyards.
The most popular harvest festivals often sell out weeks in advance, so purchasing tickets early and arranging accommodation ahead of time is recommended. The region has enough hotels, but they fill quickly during major harvest weekends.
Querétaro’s vineyards operate almost all year with tastings, tours, and food pairings. The harvest season simply adds music, long tables, celebrations, and a reason to stay until sunset.
Source: mexicodesconocido
