Ezequiel Montes

Ezequiel Montes is a small town in a valley of Queretaro. It is the epicenter of the state's growing wine industry with three major wineries just outside of town and at least a dozen small artesanal wineries within 30 km. It is not as scenic as some of its neighboring towns, but could be an excellent base for the epicure who is curious to explore the wines of the Bajio.

Understand
Originally inhabited by the Otomi people, when it became a Spanish town, it took the name Tetillas, and later Corral Blanco, and then in 1920, changed the name to Ezequiel Montes in honor of a local politician. The town is not hung up on its past and lacks the colonial charm of most Bajio towns, including 3 nearby Pueblos Magicos. The city hall (palacio municipal) was built in 1970. The plaza was renovated in the 1990s.

Agriculture accounts for more than 90% of the land use in the valley around Ezequiel Montes. Sorghum and corn account for much of the planted acreage, but vineyards account for a growing proportion of the economy. Two major vineyards account for the lion's share of local wine production:


 * La Redonda - heir to a traditional hacienda system, La Redonda was the first major winery in town
 * Freixenet - one of several international wineries operated by the Spanish company, Freixenet makes sparkling wines (similar to champagne)

The state publishes a map to the wineries and advertises it as "Ruta de Vinos" but the concept of wine as a leisure activity hasn't caught on like it has in Valle de Guadalupe. There aren't tasting rooms in the town of Ezequiel Montes and most locals seem content to stick to their usual beer or tequila.

By bus
From Tequisquiapan, Coordinados operates hourly buses for the 20-minute trip to Ezequiel Montes.

From Queretaro, Flecha Azul operates hourly buses for the 1-hour trip to Ezequiel Montes. Buses stop in Tequisquipian, but then go through to Ezequiel Montes.



By car
From Queretaro, drive east on state highway 200 to Tequisquipian, then turn north onto federal highway MEX 120. It is a 50-minute drive.

Get around
It is easy to drive in this part of Queretaro, with paved roads between towns. Dirt roads are likely when you get off the main roads driving to some of the vineyards, but are generally passable even with small cars.

Taxis are widely available and can be hired on a daily basis for exploring backcountry wineries.

See




Large wineries




Small wineries








Buy
Queretaro is blessed with a number of small artesanal cheese makers.



Go next

 * Bernal
 * Cadereyta
 * Tequisquiapan
 * Valle de Guadalupe