Cheese tasting platter at Cava de Quesos Bocanegra
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The Complete Guide to Querétaro’s Wine and Cheese Route

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Mexico’s claim to fame when it comes to food and beverage is tacos, tequila, and perhaps now mezcal too with its recent resurgence. But certain parts of Mexico are branching out and exploring other delicacies. Having been to Parras de la Fuente in the north, we quite literally stumbled upon Mexico’s second-largest wine-producing region in the state of Querétaro.

While wandering around the city of Bernal, we saw lots of signs advertising the wine and cheese (vino y queso) route, which Bernal finds itself on. With not much else to do (and my love for wine), we decided to take a gamble. These are the highlights from our impromptu tour. Reservations can be made at a few other vineyards in advance if you are planning to visit the area.

Querétaro’s wine and cheese route can also be explored as a day trip from Querétaro as Tequisquiapan is only an hour from the city center.

How to Get to Querétaro’s Wine and Cheese Route

Bernal to Tequisquiapan

By Car: Bernal to Tequisquiapan, the closest main town to the wine and cheese route, is only 35 kilometers. Head south along Querétaro 100 turning towards Ezequiel Montes and then take a right on Mexico 120 until reaching Tequisquiapan. The journey should take approximately 35 minutes. This route takes you past several of the wineries in the area.

By Bus: There is no direct bus linking Bernal to Tequisquiapan.

Querétaro to Tequisquiapan

By Car: Querétaro to Tequisquiapan takes approximately one hour. Take the Mexico 57D to the Querétaro 100 N before hanging a right on the Querétaro 200.

By Bus: There is no direct bus linking Querétaro and Tequisquiapan. A bus must first be arranged to San Juan del Rio from Querétaro and then further on to Tequisquiapan from San Juan del Rio. For the most up-to-date schedule and pricing click here.

Querétaro’s Wine and Cheese Route

The Best Querétaro Wineries

Casa Vitivinícola Bodegas De Cote

One of the premier wineries in the area, De Cote sits in the picturesque Querétaro highlands. A large complex, De Cote is not what you would call a boutique winery. The facilities, however, provide a stunning backdrop to enjoy the Queretaro wines on offer.

With three different lines of wine to choose from, there is something for everyone. The wine varietals range from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnays to Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Timeless Merlot was the best wine we had on our wine route. 

The vineyards offer tours either by foot ($350 MXN), bike ($400 MXN), or train ($450 MXN) at different times of the day and lasting between 60 – 90 minutes. Included in the tour are a glass of red and white wine, an engraved glass, a sample of local cheese, and a home-baked cookie.  

Useful Information

  • Address: Lib. Norponiente KM. 5.9
  • Hours of Operation:
    • Monday – Friday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
    • Saturday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
    • Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Cost: $$$

La Redonda 

A cup of wine from one of the wineries along Querétaro's wine and cheese route
Enjoying a glass of red in the LaRedonda garden along Querétaro’s wine and cheese route

La Redonda is a smaller more boutique winery just south of Ezequiel Monte. Popular with locals who were enjoying the sun-drenched garden attached to the bodega, the Queretaro wines available here.

The bodega offers a range of tasting options suited to everyone’s needs. We decided to sample their La Redonda line which included three different varietals, a semi-dry white made from Trebbiano grapes, a rose, and a Cabernet-Malbec blend. 

Unfortunately, the rose and white missed the mark pretty badly while the red was nothing special. The cost of our sampler was $145 MXN including an engraved glass.

Useful Information

Los Rosales

Slightly dated and off-beat décor belies the quality of the wine this vineyard is producing. While the aesthetics might not be to our tasting, the wines at Los Rosales did not let us down.

You can sample any two wines for $40 MXN or go straight to a cup of the reserve wines for $80 MXN. We had a sample of the reserve wines and settled on a glass each of the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Malbec. Not overly complex, the wine was well balanced and delicious, perfect for a late afternoon drink. Don’t be put off by drinking red wine in the hot Mexico sun, even red wine is served chilled here.

Useful Information

Compania Vinicola San Patricio

A small boutique winery just north of Tequisquiapan, you won’t find mass-produced wines here, a fancy website (or any website) or overpriced tours. For a reasonable 100 pesos, you can visit the winery, sample the Queretaro wines and take home a souvenir glass. People regard their wine as some of the best in the region. Let us know what you think!

Useful Information

Viña TX

Another small boutique winery situated close to the town of Tequisquiapan is Viña TX. With great attention to detail and excellent wines, Viña TX offers a lovely experience. The wines and tour options are a little more expensive than other vineyards in the region with a bottle starting at $300 pesos and tours at $150 pesos which includes one tasting of red wine and a glass. However, the price is reflected by the quality here.

Useful Information

  • Address: Fray Junípero Serra 33
  • Hours of Operation:
    • Monday – Wednesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
    • Thursday – Friday: 10:00 am – 10:30 pm
    • Saturday: 9:00 am – 10:30 pm
    • Sunday: 9:00 am – 6:30 pm
  • Cost: $$

Pro-tip: For those overlanding, Viña TX will let you camp inside their locked gates for the evening if you visit for $300 per night. 

Freixenet

A vineyard owned by the large Spanish wine producer, Freixenet is the largest producer in the area. You can arrange a variety of tours and tastings, but they will set you back a pretty penny. There are also a host of events put on by this vineyard, so check the website for all the latest news!

Useful Information

  • Address: Av. Juárez Pte. 4C
  • Hours of Operation:
    • Thursday – Monday: 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
    • Tuesday – Wednesday: Closed
  • Cost: $$$

The Best Cheese on Querétaro’s Ruta de Vino y Queso

Cava de Quesos Bocanegra

A delicious cheese board on the Queretaro wine and cheese route
Cava de Quesos Bocanegra cheese tasting platter along Querétaro’s wine and cheese route

Concluding Queretáro’s wine and cheese route, we headed over to Cava de Quesos Bocanegra. Bocanegra makes its own cheese but also serves cheeses from nearby Quesos Neole.  Having originally stopped at Quesos Neole, they ushered us onward to Bocanegra for a tasting. If you do stop by Quesos Neole, they offer a tour of the cheese-making facility for 50 pesos per person.

Bocanegra is located 8 km outside of Tequisquiapan. While there does not appear to be a cheese-making facility on site, the location is stunning offering views over the Querétaro highlands. Taking in the scenery, you can enjoy a cheese tasting accompanied by various fruits, bread, honey, and more.

The tasting is available for $100 MXP and was plenty of cheese for the two of us. To pair with the tasting, I opted for red wine from De Cote and Eddie tried a local brown ale from Hercules Brewing which they had on draft but there are many other options available. Both of our selections paired well. The red wine did not overpower the cheese and the nuttiness from the beer complemented the cheese.

The cheese selection ranged from spicy Chihuahua to harder provolone to Missionary Ash (a hard cow’s cheese). Each cheese was mild in flavor and not overpowering and pungent like some cheeses found in other countries. It is the perfect way to wind down for the evening.

Useful Information

Other Notable Cheese Makers

Not all cheese places provide tastings, but we recommend popping into one of the local cheese curators in Tequisquiapan. Here the owners will recommend lovely local cheeses to purchase and consume with one of the bottles of wine you have purchased earlier. 

  • Quesos Quiroz
  • La Vaca Feliz 
  • Happy Cow 

If you want more information on the wine and cheese route in Querétaro visit the tourism board website

And enjoy your wine and cheese experience along Querétaro’s wine and cheese route!

READ MORE: What to Do in Querétaro in 24 Hours

Where to Stay in Tequisquiapan

Van Life in Tequisquiapan

Just outside of the main town of Tequisquiapan is the small lake Presa Centenario. Take the dirt path leading toward La Palapa past a few houses to the waterfront. Unlike many other lakefronts, here you can spend a peaceful night without the music blaring loudly by locals. While nothing special, it is better than camping in the city. For exact coordinates, follow the link here.

Accommodation in Tequisquiapan

Hotel La Plaza de Tequisquiapan

Hotel La Plaza de Tequisquiapan is a great accommodation option in Tequisquiapan. Located in the center of town, the charming colonial Hotel La Plaza de Tequisquiapan offers air-conditioned rooms, a small garden complete with a pool, and an onsite restaurant and bar. Make sure to check out the rooftop deck for stunning views over the old town!

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Saint George Hotel – Spa & Temazcal

Treat yourself during your holiday along the Queretaro wine and cheese route by staying at the lovely Saint George Hotel – Spa & Temazcal. This luxury resort is only minutes from the historic city center and offers stylish and modern rooms. To pamper yourself, even more, make sure to book in at the spa or enjoy the temazcal!

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Other Useful Information

  • Connectivity – 4G Telcel is available throughout the city and even out by the lake!
  • Water – Like most of Mexico, it is advisable to steer clear of tap water and drink only purified/potable water.

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