At a glance
- Founded
- 2000first planting, of one hectare
- Winemaking
- Francisco Rodríguez
- Vineyard
- about 6,900 ft (2,100 m)
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and 3 more
- Style
- high-elevation reds · age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon · mountain whites
- Visits
- By appointment
The house
Editorial review · reviewed on October 11, 2026At about 6,900 ft (2,100 m), in the Valle del Tunal, a mountain valley in the municipality of Parras de la Fuente, cold nights lengthen the ripening of Don Leo's grapes. From there came the Don Leo Gran Reserva 2013, which in 2020 won the trophy for best Cabernet Sauvignon at the Concours International des Cabernets, in France.
The name remembers Leo Mendel, a farmer born in Linnich, Germany, who came to Mexico and believed in this land. The first planting, of a single hectare (2.5 acres), dates from 2000, and from it came a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Today the engineer Francisco Rodríguez is the winemaker of the house, which makes reds and whites.
The vineyard sits on limestone soils and is ringed by mountains that hold the night's cold. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel grow there, alongside Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Chardonnay, and the house bottles under two brands, Don Leo and Linde, which it also sells in its online shop.
The visit is by reservation and available Tuesday through Sunday. It includes a tour of the vineyard and cellar with a tasting of three wines on the terraces, and there is also brunch, lunch, or a pairing dinner with a view of the vines. Minors and pets are not admitted, and groups have limited space.
The wines
Mostly high-elevation reds, with Cabernet Sauvignon at the center, alone or with Shiraz, and a range of varietals from Merlot to Zinfandel. The house also makes whites of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Chardonnay, and divides its labels between the Don Leo line and the Linde line.
Red
Don Leo Gran Reserva
Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2013 vintage won the trophy for best Cabernet Sauvignon at the Concours International des Cabernets 2020.
Red
Don Leo Cabernet Sauvignon y Shiraz
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
The blend the house was born with, according to its history.
Red
Linde
The house's second line, with varietals and blends of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
Grapes it works with
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Merlot
- Malbec
- Pinot Noir
- Zinfandel
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillón
- Chardonnay
- Soils
- limestone
- Vineyard
- a mountain valley ringed by mountains, with cold nights
What to taste
A trophy-winning Cabernet, the Don Leo Gran Reserva, and the Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz blend the house was born with.
Why go
Lunch or taste on terraces that look over a vineyard at 6,900 ft, in a mountain valley away from the usual Parras circuit.
Awards
- Trophy for best Cabernet SauvignonConcours International des Cabernets · Don Leo Gran Reserva 20132020
The visit
Receives visitors by appointment. Reservations are required.
Offers:TastingsToursRestaurantFood pairingsShop
Tastings and tours
Visits Tuesday through Sunday, by reservation. Phone service is Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
House rules
- Minors and pets are not admitted
Book in advance, Tuesday through Sunday. Limited space.
Amenities
- Restaurant
- Terrace
Events
Every year
- Temporada de Vendimias de Coahuila (Coahuila's harvest season)July to September. The house took part in 2026
The dates of each edition are confirmed with the winery. The ones already announced are on the wine calendar (in Spanish).
Getting there
Parras de la Fuente, 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 Viñedos Don Leo?
Receives visitors by appointment.
What can you do at Viñedos Don Leo?
Offers tastings, tours, food pairings, and a shop. Tastings are for guests 18 and older.
Do you need a reservation to visit Viñedos Don Leo?
Receives visitors by appointment. Reservations are required.
How do you get to Viñedos Don Leo?
Viñedos Don Leo is at Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila. The Get directions button on this page opens the place in Google Maps.
Can kids visit Viñedos Don Leo?
Minors and pets are not admitted.
Are pets allowed at Viñedos Don Leo?
Minors and pets are not admitted.
Does Viñedos Don Leo have a restaurant?
Yes, it has a restaurant.
