Parras de la Fuente is the oldest wine-growing town in the Americas, home to Casa Madero, a working winery founded in 1597 whose vineyards are still fed by the same underground spring that made the town possible in the desert. The compact colonial center, fig and walnut orchards, and several bodegas make it Coahuila's signature day trip from Saltillo.
Parras de la Fuente sits about 150 km southwest of Saltillo along Highway 54 and 102, a desert oasis town whose name means 'vines of the spring' - a fitting description of a place where underground water sources have supported vineyards since the late 1500s. Jesuit missionaries planted the first vines here, and Casa Madero, founded in 1597, is recognized as the oldest winery in the Americas, still producing wine from vineyards irrigated by the same natural spring system that shaped the town's layout of orchards and canals. A visit typically combines a Casa Madero tour and tasting with a walk through the compact colonial center, where stone churches, a shaded plaza, and old haciendas reflect the town's long history as a religious and agricultural outpost in the Coahuila desert. Beyond Casa Madero, smaller family bodegas and mezcal producers around the valley offer more low-key tastings, and roadside stands sell the region's pecans, figs, and walnuts, especially during the late-summer and early-fall harvest. Parras earned Pueblo Mágico recognition in 2004, and its mix of desert scenery, colonial architecture, and four centuries of continuous winemaking make it Coahuila's most distinctive single day trip from the state capital.
How to get there
- Car: Highway 54 then 102 southwest from Saltillo (1.5-2 hours)
- Bus: Coordinados or ETN first-class service from the Saltillo Central de Autobuses (about 2 hours)
- Organized wine-country day tour with tastings at Casa Madero and other local bodegas
- Private driver for a combined Parras-and-Arteaga route (long day)
Location
Centro de Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila
25.4403, -102.1792 View on map
Highlights
- Casa Madero, the oldest winery in the Americas, with tastings and vineyard tours
- The colonial-era plaza and churches of the Pueblo Mágico center
- Local pecan, fig, and walnut orchards fed by the town's natural springs
- Smaller family-run bodegas and mezcal producers around the valley
Tips for visiting
- Book a Casa Madero tour and tasting in advance on weekends, when it draws the most visitors
- Bring cash for smaller bodegas and roadside orchard stands that do not take cards
- Combine with a stop in Arteaga on the return if starting early enough, though this makes for a long day
- Late summer and early fall bring the grape and pecan harvests
When to visit
August through October for the harvest; spring and fall offer the most comfortable daytime temperatures for walking the town.
Accessibility
The town plaza and main streets are paved and mostly flat, though some colonial-era sidewalks are narrow and uneven. Casa Madero's grounds include gravel paths between vineyard rows that are not fully step-free.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Parras de la Fuente from Saltillo?
It is about 150 km southwest of Saltillo, roughly a 1.5-2 hour drive on Highway 54 and 102, or a similar trip by first-class bus from the Saltillo Central de Autobuses.
Is Casa Madero open to visitors?
Yes, Casa Madero offers guided tours of its vineyards and cellars along with tastings; booking ahead is recommended, especially on weekends.
What else is there besides wine?
The colonial town center, its churches and plaza, and the surrounding fig, walnut, and pecan orchards are worth a walk beyond the wineries themselves.
When is harvest season?
The grape and pecan harvests generally run from August through October, adding extra activity to bodega and orchard visits.