Ezequiel Montes between Charrería and Wine Traditions

In Ezequiel Montes, Charrería and religious traditions meet wine experiences throughout the municipality. This makes the area interesting for travelers who want to combine history and living culture with visits to wineries. When choosing your vacation rental, it helps to distinguish between options in town and destinations elsewhere in the municipality.

Ranch history, church, and Charrería

Ezequiel Montes originated at the Corral Blanco ranch, which was established by eight families. A notable part of the town’s history is the church known as “Iglesia Chiquita”: it was completed in 1905 and is now dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Carmen. History and religious heritage are therefore not just abstract themes, but are also reflected in specific names and buildings.

Charrería, practiced in Ezequiel Montes, is part of the local livestock tradition. The Charro stadium is considered one of the best in the region. Anyone interested in this equestrian and festival tradition will find a cultural focus here that is distinct from winery visits elsewhere in the municipality.

Festivals and religious traditions

The traditional Feria de Ezequiel Montes included cultural events, dances, horse races, sports, and Charrería. In later years, however, the fair was not held regularly; dates and themes also changed. These included, among others, meat and wine festivals, as well as arts and crafts and cultural festivals. If you want to plan your stay around a future edition, check the announced dates.

The December novena includes pilgrimages from the neighborhoods and outlying communities of the municipal seat, as well as Indigenous dances in the main garden around the temple. The Procession of Silence is also a religious tradition: it has been held in the town’s streets for more than three decades. As participation grew, it was moved from the Temple of La Divina Providencia to the main garden. For future programs, dates, and details on how the procession will be held, it is worth checking locally.

Wine experiences throughout the municipality

At Sala Vivé, you can tour the facilities, including a 25-meter-deep cava, and learn about the winemaking process. Tours are offered daily at various times in the morning and afternoon and are open to all visitor groups. Other experiences include the Uva Bus, wine tastings, and horseback rides through the vineyards. Schedules and availability may change, so check current options before your visit.

Viñedos Azteca also offers various ways to explore winemaking, including tastings of up to five wine varieties, visits to the vines, and tours of the Enobar, Vermutería, and winery. Tastings with food pairings are available on request. Other offerings include horseback rides, lakeside picnics, and bottle-painting activities for children. For Sala Vivé, the driving directions continue along the same road after leaving Ezequiel Montes; road conditions and signage may change.

La Redonda planted its first vineyard in 1975 and has a winemaking tradition spanning more than 40 years. The site in the municipality has an Italian-Mexican restaurant, a Wine Bar, and a Wine Garden, where offerings include wine with a generous cheese board. Sala Vivé’s Food Garden lists cheese boards, cured meats, pasta, and pizza; its Wine Bar serves the winery’s full range of wines. Food and visitor offerings may change, so it is a good idea to check current options in advance.

Places, crafts, and regional cuisine

In the municipality, Peña de Bernal is considered a monolith, a protected natural area, and one of Mexico’s 13 natural wonders. In nearby Villa Progreso, you can find old Otomí chapels and the Temple of San Miguel Arcángel. The community is also known for workshops producing ixtle products and pottery, including Cerámica Servín. Common ixtle crafts include clotheslines, various figures, and ropes for Charrería. This adds crafts and religious heritage to the region’s wine-related offerings.

Nopal en penca and gorditas de maíz quebrado are regional dishes highlighted in the municipality. These specialties complement the wineries’ food offerings with dishes that have their own regional character. If your main interests are local history and Charrería, you will want to focus on different things than if your trip includes several winery experiences or Villa Progreso. Choose your vacation rental according to the destinations that matter most to you.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Arroyo Seco, Pinal De Amoles, Ciénaga, Cadereyta De Montes, El Pueblito, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa Jáuregui, Jalpan De Serra.

For the main travel overview: Querétaro.