At a glance
- Founded
- 2008first vines planted on the ranch
- Vineyard
- about 3,900 ft (1,200 m)
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah
- Style
- high-elevation reds · young reds · harvest rosé
- Visits
- By appointment
The house
Editorial review · reviewed on October 11, 2026Charolais cattle came to Rancho El Fortín before wine did. The house presents itself as the ranch that brought the first Charolais of the Americas to Mexico, from France, after Máximo Mc Ellis built a hacienda in the valley in 1929.
In 1988 Jesús María Ramón Valdés bought the property, and in 2007 a visit from a member of the Madero family encouraged him to plant vines. In 2008, on his 70th birthday, he planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon vine, brought from France, in the semi-desert soil of San Buenaventura, about 3,900 ft (1,200 m) above sea level and between the Santa Rosa and El Orégano mountain ranges.
With four varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Shiraz, the house makes five lines. There is a Cabernet Sauvignon Selección, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Shiraz, two young reds of Merlot and of Malbec, and a rosé that changes with each harvest. The house says it seeks reds with soft tannins, ripe fruit, and a more intense finish.
The family receives guests at its aging cellar in Saltillo, with tastings and pairing dinners hosted by family members themselves, sometimes with live music, and at the ranch it organizes vineyard tours with a tasting. When booking, ask which of the two places the visit will be.
The wines
Young Merlot and Malbec reds, a Cabernet Sauvignon Selección and a Cabernet and Shiraz blend, plus a rosé. The house describes them as high-elevation reds to go with meat.
Red
El Fortín Selección Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
Red
El Fortín Cabernet Sauvignon y Shiraz
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
The house blend.
Red
El Fortín Malbec
Malbec
Young line.
Red
El Fortín Merlot
Merlot
Young line.
Rosé
El Fortín Rosé
Varies with the harvest.
Grapes it works with
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Malbec
- Syrah
- Soils
- semi-desert
- Vineyard
- between the Santa Rosa and El Orégano ranges
What to taste
The Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz blend, the mix with which the house sums up its high-elevation vineyard.
Why go
A pairing dinner at the family's aging cellar in Saltillo, or a tour of a cattle-ranch vineyard in central Coahuila.
The visit
Receives visitors by appointment. Reservations are required.
Offers:TastingsFood pairingsTours
Tastings and tours
The tasting cellar is in Saltillo and the vineyard in San Buenaventura. Confirm where the visit is when you book.
Getting there
San Buenaventura, Coahuila · Get directions ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Open the driving route in Google Maps:
- Directions from your location (opens in a new tab)
- Directions from San Diego, CA (opens in a new tab)
- Directions from San Ysidro Port of Entry (opens in a new tab)
- Directions from Saltillo (opens in a new tab)
- Directions from Aeropuerto de Saltillo (opens in a new tab)
- Directions from Torreón (opens in a new tab)
- Directions from Monterrey (opens in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Vinícola Rancho El Fortín?
Receives visitors by appointment.
What can you do at Vinícola Rancho El Fortín?
Offers tastings, food pairings, and tours. Tastings are for guests 18 and older.
Do you need a reservation to visit Vinícola Rancho El Fortín?
Receives visitors by appointment. Reservations are required.
How do you get to Vinícola Rancho El Fortín?
Vinícola Rancho El Fortín is at San Buenaventura, Coahuila. The Get directions button on this page opens the place in Google Maps.
