Ezequiel Montes
Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean · Mexico
Did you know?
- Quesos Doña Licha sells locally made fresh cheese in the town center.
- Viñedo Los Rosales uses the Salvador grape in its Chapulet Missions wines.
- Itacate at Viñedos Azteca serves brick-oven pizza topped with cochinita pibil.
See also
Querétaro
Mexico20.60°N 100.38°W · 1,820 m
Overview
Ezequiel Montes is a base for Querétaro's wineries and local cheese shopping. Nearby Bernal, Cadereyta and Tequisquiapan add town visits to a wine-focused stay.
Languages: Spanish
Why go?
Ezequiel Montes is the epicenter of Queretaro's growing wine industry with three major wineries just outside town and at least a dozen small artisanal wineries within 30 km. Unlike Valle de Guadalupe, the wine-as-leisure concept hasn't fully caught on here, meaning fewer crowds and more authentic encounters with local producers. The town lacks the colonial charm of nearby Pueblo Magicos but offers excellent wine tasting, local cheese shopping, and easy access to Bernal, Cadereyta, and Tequisquiapan.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting in
The most practical way to reach Ezequiel Montes is by bus to the Terminal de Autobuses on I. Allende street. From Queretaro city, local buses connect regularly to surrounding towns. Driving is the best option for winery touring—paved roads link all major destinations with dirt roads leading to some vineyards but generally passable with small cars. Taxis are widely available for hire on a daily basis.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting around
Driving is easy in this part of Queretaro with well-maintained paved roads between towns. Dirt roads are likely when accessing some vineyards but are generally passable even with small cars. Taxis can be hired for the day for backcountry winery exploration—negotiate rates in advance. The town itself is walkable, centered around the plaza.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
The best time to visit is during harvest season (September-October) when wineries are most active and some offer harvest tours. Winter months (November-February) are cooler and pleasant for outdoor wine tasting. Summer can be hot. Check individual winery hours—Viñedos Azteca closes on Tuesdays.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Accommodation options in town are limited. Hotel Capilla on Heroico Colegio Militar offers basic rooms from M$450, though highway noise can be an issue. Hotel Villa Monte in La Uca neighborhood provides larger, cleaner rooms from M$850 with a next-door restaurant. For a unique experience, La Redonda winery offers "WineGlamping" in space-age yurts for M$6700 on weekends only.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
Queretaro is known for its artesanal cheese makers—Quesos Doña Licha on J.Ma. Morelos in Centro is where locals buy exceptional fresh cheese at market prices. La Pichonera in La Presa serves generous home-cooked breakfasts with fresh juice and sweet breads in a rustic setting, open Wednesday through Sunday from 09:00-22:30. Newport specializes in fresh seafood dishes with tacos and soups on Nicolás Bravo.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
More wineries
Viñedos Azteca at Azteca (10:00-18:00, closed Tu) focuses on reds including Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah and Tempranillo, with Italian-Mexican fusion at their Itacate restaurant featuring brick-oven pizza with cochinita pibil. Viñedos Donato at KM 2 on the road to Bernal concentrates on premium reds (Merlot, Syrah, Nebbiolo, Cabernet) plus rosado and white wines, serving breakfast on the lawn before noon and dinner in the dining room. Viñedo Los Rosales on the Tequisquiapan road (10:00-17:00) bottles under four brands including Chapulet Missions using the rare Salvador grape—bring your own food or buy cheese platters at their food tent.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Safety
Standard Mexican town precautions apply. The town itself is quiet and safe for tourists. Be cautious on backcountry winery roads—some involve dirt paths better suited for experienced drivers. Keep vehicle valuables hidden. The area is primarily agricultural with farming traffic on local roads.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connectivity
Mobile coverage is available through major Mexican carriers (Telcel, AT&T, Movistar) with reasonable coverage in town and along main roads. WiFi is available at hotels and wineries. Power outlets use standard Mexican voltage (127V) with Type A/B plugs—US-compatible.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trips
Ezequiel Montes serves as a base for exploring the wine route and nearby Pueblo Magicos. Bernal is one of Mexico's "Magic Towns" known for its massive rock monolith. Cadereyta offers additional colonial architecture and gardens. Tequisquiapan is a popular spa town with thermal waters. Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California is the more famous wine region but worth the longer trip for dedicated wine tourists.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
From Ezequiel Montes, continue to the nearby Pueblo Magicos of Bernal, Cadereyta, and Tequisquiapan—all within easy driving distance. For a major wine destination, Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California is the most famous Mexican wine region, though it requires significantly more travel time. Queretaro city offers colonial architecture, excellent museums, and serves as the regional transportation hub.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Hotel Capilla
Small moderate hotel in the city center. On the highway so rooms can be noisy. Off-street parking but the lot is tiny.
Recorded price: M$450
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Villa Monte
Clean, comfortable, large hotel. Restaurant next door.
Recorded price: M$850
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
La Redonda WineGlamping
Space-age yurts at the vineyard for a unique overnight wine experience.
Recorded price: M$6700
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
La Pichonera
Rustic, casual restaurant with good home-cooked meals. The breakfast paquetes are very generous with a full carafe of juice and a basket of sweet breads.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Newport
Specializes in fresh seafood dishes, plus a few tacos and soups.
Recorded price: M$200
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Jardin Kiosko Ezequiel Montes
The zocalo (main plaza) is a modern looking plaza with more paved open spaces than a typical Mexican zocalo with less shade from the bright sun. There's still manicured gardens, a bandstand, and plenty of park benches and it still faces the town's main church.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Parroquia de la Divina Providencia
Unlike every other town in Mexico, the main church is not historic, is not baroque, and is not ornate. It is beautiful though with contemporary architecture and a stone facade with a tall belfry. Inside, the church is bright, spacious and inviting.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Bodegas De Cote
Super modern winery that emphasizes sustainable agriculture. Fun winery tour where you can go through the vineyards on bike (or walk or ride "the train"), then visit the main processing facility to learn how the wines are made, then down into the cava to see rack after rack of barrels aging in the cool environment. Upscale restaurant on-site. Some interesting surprises here like a Gewurtztraminer..not a grape typically grown in Mexico.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accommodation
Limited options in town—Hotel Capilla from M$450, Hotel Villa Monte from M$850. La Redonda offers glamping yurts for M$6700 on weekends.
Food
Quesos Doña Licha is the local institution for cheese. La Pichonera serves generous breakfasts. Newport offers seafood.
Money
Local currency is Mexican Peso (MXN). Cards accepted at wineries and hotels but cash preferred at local restaurants and markets.
Transport
Driving is the most practical way to explore wineries. Taxis can be hired daily for backcountry tours. Bus terminal is on I. Allende street.
Weather
Best visited September-October during harvest season or November-February for cooler weather. Summer can be very hot.
Wine
Freixenet, La Redonda, and Bodegas De Cote are the major wineries. Tasting rooms are at the vineyards, not in town.