Casa Madero Winery: The Americas' Oldest Winery

Casa Madero has been pressing grapes at Hacienda San Lorenzo since 1597, making it the oldest continuously operating winery in the Americas — two centuries older than anything in Napa. The estate sits about 9 km (roughly 20 minutes by car) north of Parras de la Fuente's main square along Highway 102 toward Paila, tucked into a spring-fed valley of walnut orchards and vine rows at the edge of the Coahuila desert.

A standard guided visit runs 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on which package you pick, and a tasting of three wines costs around MXN 300. Tours typically depart at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00, with the last entry around 16:00. Reserve ahead — walk-ins are often turned away in August and September.

Getting There and Planning Your Visit

From Monterrey, Saltillo or Torreón

Most foreign visitors base themselves in Monterrey, three hours east, and either rent a car or join a 12-hour guided day tour that includes hotel pickup, the winery, and the town's Plaza del Reloj and Santa María de las Parras church. Driving from Monterrey means Highway 40 to Saltillo, then the free road toward Parras — you can reach the valley without paying a single toll. From Saltillo it's about 2 hours; from Torreón, 90 minutes west. Buses run from both cities to Parras, but the winery itself is 9 km out of town, so you'll need a taxi or a pre-arranged transfer for the final leg.

Hours, Tickets and Reservations

The estate is generally open daily from 9:00 or 10:00 to 17:00–17:30. Entry to the gardens and the wine shop is free; the museum, cellar tour and tastings are ticketed. Fees change — check madero.com for current rates before you go. Reservations are made online through the official site, and at least 48 hours' notice is wise in high season. Groups of 18-plus-only rules apply to the tasting stations, so plan childcare accordingly.

How Long to Allow

Give Casa Madero half a day minimum. The core circuit — historic cellar, adobe museum with 18th- and 19th-century presses, chapel of San Lorenzo, and the tasting room — fills two hours comfortably. Add a vineyard ride and you're at three. I'd skip the horse option in favor of the carriage if you're with a group: MXN 600 covers three adults, and the flat loop past the old press building is short enough that walking it yourself is entirely reasonable.

What You'll See and Taste

The Hacienda and Cellars

The buildings are adobe with lime-and-sand plaster, and the cellars are built thermal — thick walls that hold the desert heat out and the fermentation temperatures steady. Inside you'll find a mix of eras: original copper stills and piston pumps sitting beside stainless steel tanks and roto-fermenters. The underground cava holds French oak barrels, and the guides (consistently praised as knowledgeable and unhurried) walk you through vinification from crush to bottle. The museum displays the tools used at the estate's founding, which makes the scale of 425 years of continuous production feel oddly tangible.

The Wines

Casa Madero's flagship is its Cabernet Sauvignon, which has collected more than 1,000 international medals. The Gran Reserva Shiraz and the 3V blend are the other labels worth seeking out, and the Tempranillo shows what Iberian varieties do in Coahuila's ripe, cool-night climate. Tastings pour three to five wines depending on the experience you book. Bottle prices at the shop undercut supermarket rates, so buy here rather than in Monterrey. If you want the full treatment, the Signature Experience adds a seasonal menu from the hacienda's executive chef, paired with a special selection of house wines.

The Vineyards

Weekend visitors can tour the vine blocks on horseback (around MXN 330) or by carriage. The walking loop through the flat vineyard rows passes the historic cellar and the old press building — an easy 45-minute stroll with sunlit views of the Sierra Madre Oriental. Bring sports shoes or comfortable walking shoes, a hat and high-factor sunscreen; the desert sun at midday is not forgiving, even in the cooler months.

When to Go and What to Expect

October through April brings the most comfortable weather, roughly 18–25°C by day. August and September are harvest season, when the town throws its Feria de la Uva y el Vino and Casa Madero runs vendimia events — visitors can hand-pick grapes, watch early fermentation, and taste the must. Expect higher hotel prices and tours booked out well in advance. May through July is genuinely hot (35–40°C), though accommodation drops by as much as 40% and the mornings are pleasant. Nights cool sharply year-round, so pack a light jacket even in summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation to visit Casa Madero?

Yes for tours, tastings and the museum — access is by confirmed reservation only, booked through the official website. The gardens and wine shop are free to enter without one. In harvest season, book at least 48 hours ahead, ideally more.

How much does a tasting cost?

A guided tasting of three wines runs about MXN 300 per person, and full tour-and-tasting packages range from MXN 350 to 600 depending on what's included. Rates change, so confirm on madero.com before your visit.

Can I get there without a car?

Buses reach Parras de la Fuente from Saltillo and Torreón, but the winery is 9 km north of town on Highway 102, so you'll need a taxi or transfer for the last stretch. The simplest option from Monterrey is a guided day tour with hotel pickup.

Is Casa Madero suitable for children?

The gardens and shop welcome families, but tasting activities are restricted to visitors 18 and older. Plan for a short, adult-focused stop rather than a full family outing.