Casa Madero is the oldest winery in the Americas, founded in 1597 at Hacienda San Lorenzo just outside Parras de la Fuente, a small town in southern Coahuila known as the birthplace of Mexican winemaking. Guided tours walk visitors through the hacienda's historic stone cellars, aging barrels and the original 16th-century chapel on the grounds, followed by a tasting of the winery's current vintages, including its well-known brandy and sparkling wines. The estate's vineyard rows, framed by the surrounding desert mountains, offer some of the best photo opportunities in Parras, particularly from the calandria wagon rides that circle the property. A standard tour and tasting takes about 1-1.5 hours, though visitors who add a wagon ride or extended tasting flight can easily spend half a day on the grounds. The harvest season from late July through September is the most atmospheric time to visit, when the vines are heavy with grapes and the winery hosts its vendimia celebrations, though this is also when crowds and tour lines are longest. Weekday mornings year-round offer a quieter, more relaxed visit.
Good to know
- Hours
- Daily, generally 9:00AM-5:00PM; arriving before noon avoids the longest tour lines
- Best time
- Late July through September for the grape harvest (vendimia); weekday mornings year-round for shorter lines
Location
Carretera Parras-Paila Km 1.5 (Hacienda San Lorenzo), 27980 Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila, Mexico
25.4278, -102.1958 View on map
Highlights
- Historic stone cellars and aging barrels dating to 1597
- 16th-century chapel on the hacienda grounds
- Tastings of Casa Madero's wine, brandy and sparkling wine
- Calandria wagon rides through the vineyard rows
Tips for visiting
- Arrive before noon on weekends and during harvest season to avoid the longest tour lines
- Book the calandria wagon ride separately if interested in a longer vineyard tour
- Visit late July through September to see the grape harvest, though expect larger crowds
- Tastings are for adults only; children can join the standard tour
When to visit
Late July through September for the grape harvest (vendimia); weekday mornings year-round for shorter lines.
Accessibility
The hacienda grounds are mostly level and walkable, but the historic stone cellars have uneven floors and steps that may be difficult for wheelchair users.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Casa Madero take?
The standard tour and tasting takes about 1-1.5 hours; adding a wagon ride or extended tasting can stretch a visit to half a day.
Is it worth it for kids?
Yes for the tour and grounds, though wine and brandy tastings are restricted to adults.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is permitted throughout the vineyard, cellars and grounds.