This is the Mexican production facility of Freixenet, the Spanish cava house, built here because the altitude and limestone soil of this stretch of Querétaro's wine region suit traditional méthode champenoise sparkling wine production. Tours walk through the underground aging cellars and explain the same bottle-fermentation process used at the company's Catalan headquarters, ending in a tasting of the sparkling wines made on site. It's a production-focused visit rather than a boutique vineyard stroll.
Sala Vivé by Freixenet, part of Cavas Freixenet México, is a sparkling wine facility along the Ruta del Queso y del Vino near Ezequiel Montes, roughly 45 minutes from Santiago de Querétaro. Visitors take a guided tour through the underground cava (cellar) where bottles age using the traditional méthode champenoise, learning about the riddling and disgorgement process before finishing with a tasting of several sparkling wines produced on site. The standard guided tour and tasting runs about 2 hours, offered on weekend afternoons, and covers both the production facility and the vineyard grounds surrounding it. The cool, dim cellar galleries are the most distinctive visual feature, lined with racks of aging bottles, while the outdoor vineyard offers photo opportunities against the Sierra Gorda foothills. Weekends are the primary operating window for the guided tour, drawing both couples and small groups from Querétaro and day-trippers combining the visit with nearby Bernal.
| Admission | Adult Tour and tasting approx MXN 350-500 (approx $18-27) · Child Not typically included in wine tastings |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 8:00AM-6:00PM; guided cava tours and tastings Sat-Sun 2:00PM |
| Typical visit | 2 hours for the guided tour |
| Best time | Weekend afternoon for the scheduled cava tour |
| Getting there | Approximately 45 minutes by car from Santiago de Querétaro, near Ezequiel Montes and Bernal |
| Address | Carretera San Juan del Río-Cadereyta Km 40.5, 76650 Ezequiel Montes, Qro., Mexico |
Location
Carretera San Juan del Río-Cadereyta Km 40.5, 76650 Ezequiel Montes, Qro., Mexico
20.6844, -99.8500 View on map
Highlights
- Underground cava aging sparkling wine by traditional méthode champenoise
- Guided tour covering production and vineyard grounds
- Tasting of several estate sparkling wines
- Located along the Ruta del Queso y del Vino near Bernal
Tips for visiting
- Book the guided tour in advance, since tastings run on a scheduled weekend timetable
- Arrange a designated driver, since the visit includes wine tasting
- Combine with a stop at Peña de Bernal, a short drive away
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking the cellar and vineyard grounds
When to visit
Weekend afternoons are when the scheduled guided cava tour and tasting take place.
Accessibility
The cellar galleries include stairs and uneven underground flooring, which may limit access for visitors with mobility restrictions.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
The guided tour and tasting takes about 2 hours.
Is it worth it for kids?
The tour centers on wine production and tasting, so it is best suited to adults rather than young children.
Is photography allowed?
Yes, photography is generally allowed in the cellar and vineyard areas during the guided tour.