Without a doubt, the cultivation of vine is an activity that has always been rooted in the character of the people of Aguascalientes, it is enough to take a look at the crest of our state to realize how this production represents an important part of our identity.
In the 50’s, Aguascalientes became the second state with the highest wine production after Coahuila, and although production decreased in the following decades, that vocation was never lost. The suitable climate, the strategic location, the trained personnel and a growing interest of businessmen to enter this sector, are laying the foundations for the wine sector to grow in the state and achieve consolidation.
The vineyards currently occupy an area of 900 hectares and reach a production of 13,500 tons of grapes in the entire state, so there is a possibility of making wine a great industry that contributes to both tourism and the countryside, according to Angélica Martínez, rector of the Universidad Tecnológica del Norte de Aguascalientes.
In this context, and following the example of states such as Baja California, Querétaro and Guanajuato, Aguascalientes seeks to create quality wine tourism experiences through the Wine Route initiative, which will address this need through a coordinated effort between local producers, the Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR), the Ministry of Rural and Agribusiness Development (SEDRAE) and the Ministry of Economic Development (SEDEC).
The project will integrate vineyards, wineries, estates and even cheese and livestock farms in a single tour where visitors can learn about the production processes and history of each winery, in addition to tasting wines and agricultural products made in the state.
The Wine Route is a new touristic product in the state. The first stage, which will begin in September, will include ten wineries, including Viñedos Casa Leal, Hacienda de Letras, Vinícola Santa Elena, Bodegas Origen, the Centro Polivalente Vitícola, Viñedos El Aguaje, Viña Las Cruces, Viñedos Cuatro Soles, Viñedos El Potrerito Viña Las Cruces and Bodegas de la Parra, all of which are already prepared with activities, personnel and infrastructure to receive visitors. It is worth mentioning that road signs are also prepared for the easy location of each point.
By 2021, it is expected to complement this tourist attraction with four more wineries: Viñedos Tierra Tinta, Viña Santa Julia, Vinícola Chacón and Finca Renacimiento. The great differentiator of the routes of this sector in other states of the republic, is that each point and winery will have some distinctive, either gastronomic or some tourist attraction nearby, as is the case of the Hacienda Garabato, which is also contemplated within the project.
If the idea of this new tourist attraction already seemed extremely interesting to you or you are an enthusiast of this drink, make space in your agenda for the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th of September, since the already traditional Vino Fest will be held under the framework of The Wine Route, with more than 300 activities in the 16 points that make up the route and in which all the sanitary protocols will be followed to guarantee the safety of all the attendees, since the activities include continuous contact with nature, outdoor activities and small groups of attendees.
During these four days, there will be simultaneous wine tastings and tours of these wine houses. There will also be a paella, domino and photography competition, cycling routes, bullfighting events, a pasta festival, the traditional grape stomping, truffle tastings, musical performances, children’s films in the vineyards and even beer and mezcal tastings so that everyone can enjoy this inclusive tourist attraction.
