By Alfredo Espinola
The Mexican wine industry is celebrating its successes from today until October 12. The celebration seeks to give greater visibility to an industry that, in addition to generating cultural identity, represents an economic and social engine for thousands of families in the country.
An industry with strong roots
Mexican wine has had its own day since 2021; October 7, decreed by the Mexican government as the official date of commemoration. In three years, this celebration has evolved into a full week of activities that highlight the wine value chain, from the field to the table.
Currently, the sector generates more than 500,000 jobs in the countryside, making it the second largest agricultural employer in the country. In addition, it has managed to reduce dependence on imports. While a few decades ago more than 90% of the wine consumed in Mexico was foreign, today 38% of the bottles served in restaurants and national consumption centers are domestic.
Added to this is the boom in wine tourism. In 2024 alone, Querétaro received one million visitors to its vineyards and Baja California received 860,000. These visits, with an average expenditure of $143 per person, have turned wine into a tourist engine that diversifies regional economies and strengthens communities previously untouched by tourism.
“This event strengthens collaboration between producers, wineries, restaurants, regional associations, and government agencies. By choosing Mexican wine, consumers support the social development of rural communities, drive investment in new projects, and recognize the talent behind each label,” said Salomón Abedrop, president of the Mexican Wine Council (CMV).
Special activities and events
Mexican Wine Week includes an extensive cultural, gastronomic, and promotional agenda:
· Mexican Wine Salon (October 1, with the participation of 64 wineries and more than 350 labels)
· Photography exhibitions: Among the Vines of Mexico at the Open Gallery of the Senate of the Republic (October 1-15) and the Mexican Wine Route at Punto México (October 2-15)
· Master class: The Science Behind Wine, at the Ibero-American University (October 8)
· Special promotions, in stores such as La Castellana and Bodega Alianza (October 7 to 12)
· CANIRAC joins for the second year with more than 150 restaurants offering discounts on corkage and special menus paired with Mexican wine.
Identity, innovation, and future
The wine sector now covers 17 states with more than 9,744 hectares of vineyards. Baja California accounts for 70% of production, followed by Coahuila, Querétaro, and Guanajuato. However, growth is also reflected in innovative proposals such as new styles of wine aimed at younger consumers.
Despite these advances, there is enormous potential for growth. And the achievements speak for themselves; national wines have won more than 2,500 international medals, confirming their quality and global recognition, said Miguel Ángel Aguiñaga, head of the Tourism Innovation, Sustainability, and Professionalization Unit.
“Every glass of Mexican wine represents the efforts of thousands of families, the talent of those who transform the grapes, and the passion of consumers who value what is made in Mexico,” emphasized Claudia Rodríguez del Palacio, Executive President of CANIRAC.
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