A Perfect Friday Afternoon: Cuna De Tierra Winery

By Frank "Sugar" Hudson

It was Friday morning and the four old friends had settled into their usual rhythm. At their age, routines mattered. The same arguments about who was to drive, and the same hope that this week they would discover a hidden vineyard among the rolling hills outside of San Miguel.

Fridays were meant to be peaceful. A small winery under the pepper trees with a light breeze blowing.  A young lady pouring tastings of a new vintage while a sommelier explains the different grapes and blends. Work men tending the grapes. That was what these old guys loved most — not the wine itself, though they certainly appreciated that — but the feeling that they had stumbled into someone’s dream.

But lately things had begun to change. As they drove through the countryside that afternoon, Marti noticed a billboard rising beside the highway. There was the vineyard’s name in polished gold announcing the arrival of luxury homes, a club house and pool. A salesman in a golf cart greeted us at the entrance. “Rats”, muttered Frank from the passenger seat, “They call this a vineyard, it’s another subdivision. Drive on Eduardo, Let’s find another.” The others nodded quietly.

The second winery we visited was more of a success.  Cuna de Tierra Vineyard & Winery is located just outside of Dolores Hidalgo. It is Guanajuato’s first established winery and one of México’s leading boutique vineyards. The vineyard is about 300 acres with about 200 acres planted in several varieties of grapes.

The winery offers a range of experiences designed for guests seeking depth, quality, and a genuine connection to the land. They offer guided tours, always led by experienced sommeliers that focus on terroir, varietals, and winemaking philosophy

As the sun lowered over the hills outside of Dolores Hidalgo, the four friends sat quietly with their final bottle. They realized they were not only watching wineries disappear. They were watching an older version of the countryside vanish with them.

Still, Marti lifted his glass.

“To small places and small vineyards” he said. “And to finding the next one before it’s gone.” Frank replied. The othes smiled and raised their glasses toward the fading sun light.