When people visit Mexico, they typically look forward to a cold beer ( “cerveza” in Spanish) or a shot of tequila or mezcal—not a glass of fine wine. However, that’s changing as tourists and Mexicans discover quality wines made right here in Mexico. In fact, Mexico’s wines can compete with the best wines made around the world. Mexico has a very long history of wine-making and has experienced remarkable growth in wine consumption over the past decade. Fortunately, those of us living in or visiting Huatulco have access to an extensive selection of Mexican wines through two local hotels, Dreams and Secrets, and a local fine wine merchant, La Cava Chahué.

Wine production began in Mexico with the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century. Casa Madero, the first winery in Mexico, was established in 1597 and still operates today. Mexico cultivates nearly 80 varieties of grapes, 50% of which are used for winemaking. The leading Mexican states producing wine grape varietals are Zacatecas, Baja California, Aguascalientes, Coahuila, Guanajuato, and Queretaro. However, plenty of other states are making wine. Wine production has extended to 14 of the 32 states in the Republic of Mexico. In addition to having world-class winemakers, Mexico also has a thriving food scene. The pairings of exceptionally made wines and mouth-watering culinary creativity are endless.

However, quality domestic wine hasn’t always been present in Huatulco. Previously, if you wanted to buy a bottle of wine, you would likely head to a local market and choose a cheap, warm bottle positioned on the shelf next to a bag of dried chapulines. Fast forward to today’s Huatulco, and there are plenty of options for wine-lovers. Let’s look at some of our favorites.

This hotel offers a wine and culinary experience in its award-winning Wine Spectator, temperature-controlled wine cellar. Jorge, a sommelier since 2007, has a selection of excellent Mexican wines and wines from other major wine-producing countries. Hotel guests and the general public are invited to reserve a table of up to four people in the wine cellar. The hotel chef and Jorge will create an exquisite menu paired with wine or you can make menu requests.

Contact the concierge area at Secrets Hotel for more details.

The wine cellar at Dreams Hotel has been awarded the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Its wine list includes Mexican wines and more than 200 different wine labels (including sparkling wines) from all over the world. The beautiful dining room and cellar are open to the public. The cellar can be reserved for a small intimate dining experience or hosting an event with up to 12 people.

Dreams Hotel even has its own app to explore the dining room wine list by varietal, region, year, and price.

Details about events and membership can be found on the store’s website: cavachahue.com

Whether it’s a special occasion, a day at the beach, or a quiet night gazing at Huatulco’s star-filled sky, enjoy it with a savoury bottle of Mexican wine!