Mexican Wine Day Date in the current year: October 7, 2025

The history of Mexican winemaking can be traced back to the beginning of European colonization in the 16th century, establishing Mexico as the oldest wine-growing region in the Americas. According to legend, upon becoming the governor of New Spain, Hernán Cortés ordered the planting of grapevines because he and his soldiers had run out of the wine they had brought from Spain.

Although there were native grapevines in Mexico, they were not particularly suitable for winemaking. Thus, Spaniards imported European vines and planted them in haciendas and monasteries in Coahuila, Puebla, and Zacatecas.

By the late 17th century, New Spain's vineyards had become so successful that wine exports from Spain to the New World plummeted. In response, King Charles II of Spain prohibited wine production in Mexico, except for religious purposes. Although some missionaries continued producing wine for everyday consumption, this was a major blow to New Spain’s wine industry.

After Mexico gained independence, the ban on wine production was lifted, and the industry began to develop again. However, it suffered another setback during the Mexican Revolution when many owners abandoned their lands and rebels destroyed their vineyards.

The resurgence of winemaking in Mexico began in the 1980s. Today, wine grapes are grown in three major regions of Mexico: the northern region (Baja California and Sonora), the La Laguna region (Coahuila and Durango), and the central region (Aguascalientes, Querétaro, and Zacatecas). Wines produced in northern Baja California resemble Californian wines, while those produced in other regions tend to be spicy and full-bodied. About 90% of Mexican wine is produced in Baja California.

Mexico’s vineyards span nearly 6,200 acres. The main white wine grape varieties grown in Mexico are Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier. The main red wine grape varieties include the five Bordeaux blend grapes (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot), Dolcetto, Grenache, Petit Syrah, Syrah, and Tempranillo.

Although Mexico’s wine production has improved in quality and quantity in recent decades, the industry faces challenges such as lower wine popularity compared to beer, mezcal, and tequila, high taxes, and strong competition from imported wines. Despite these challenges, the wine industry continues to grow and is currently the second-largest source of employment in the agricultural sector.

Mexican Wine Day was officially established by the Mexican government in January 2023 and first celebrated on October 7, 2023. The holiday aims to highlight Mexico’s enormous potential for producing high-quality grapes and wines, emphasize the wine industry’s contribution to the national economy, and raise the prestige of Mexican wines, both nationally and internationally.