SOMMELIER'S CELLAR |
Notes from the Vallarta Wine Fest –
The Oldest Winery in the Americas |
 If somebody ask us which the oldest winery in the continent is, we would easily be led to think it is located in Chile or maybe Argentina, but it is not so. The oldest winery in America is proudly Mexican and it is called Casa Madero.
Casa Madero was founded in 1574 by Spanish missionaries and conquerors, who, in their search for gold, found a valley with privileged conditions in the middle of the desert, now known as Valle de Parras in the State of Coahuila.
Casa Madero is the only wine grower who has been producing wine continuously from its founding, even though a decree by King Philip II of Spain, pressured by Spanish wine growers, instructed wine producers of the New Spain to destroy all their vineyards in 1597, thus delaying the culture of wine in Mexico by 300 years. On that same year Don Lorenzo García received a “merced” from the same king allowing him to continue cultivating vines, producing wine and brandy and therefore founding the Bodegas San Lorenzo .
The company was handled by different individuals until it was acquired by Don Evaristo Madero (grandfather of President Francisco I. Madero) in 1893. He took the task of bringing some of the best wine connoisseurs or oenologists, noble vine varieties, world-class equipment for the production of wine and brandy, and thus becoming the initiator of the winery’s modern era and a growth that has continued to date.
In following the philosophy of Don Evaristo Madero, Casa Madero continues to hold the best and newest technology, first-class personnel and a rigorous selection of varieties of grapes which are a doubtless reflection of the quality of the wines it produces.
Its wines have won many international prizes, in several cases obtaining golden medals with its various wines in the best and better known competitions, like the International Wine Challenge of London or the Concours Mondial in Brussels.
 One fact that brings about mixed emotions is that approximately 90% of its production is exported; why? Because it is a matter of pride to know that a Mexican wine has excellently positioned itself into the most demanding international markets such as Europe. The contrast lies on the fact that Casa Madero has not found a market that accepts its wines easily in its own country due either to a lack of knowledge, a taste for foreign products or other reasons, even when these wines have received international praise and recognition.
We invite you to give yourselves the opportunity to know these world-class quality Mexican wines, to discover the complexity of the Casa Grande wines in its three varieties, Shiraz Parras Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. To enjoy the marvelous expression of the Parras Valley in its wines Casa Madero Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. Or just to savor its line of wines San Lorenzo and Monteviña, designed to be enjoyed without complications.E-mail to a friend
We are sure that you will enjoy savoring Casa Madero, The Oldest Winery in America.
Sommelier Juan Carlos Alcantara Ruiz
E-mail: alcantara.juancarlos@yahoo.com.mx
My Feedback about this article |
Previous Articles |
Current
Weather Report
