The Corral Blanco ranch, from which Ezequiel Montes developed, was formed by eight families. In the municipal capital, this heritage is linked to a local livestock tradition: charrería is practiced here as an expression of it. Another landmark is the church known as “Iglesia Chiquita.” It was completed in 1905 and is now dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Carmen. The town’s founding history, charrería and religious heritage offer different historical perspectives.

Traditions and event dates

The traditional Feria de Ezequiel Montes included cultural events, dances, horse races, sports and charrería. In later years, it was not held regularly; dates and themes varied and included, among other things, meat and wine festivals as well as arts and cultural festivals. So don’t plan around a fixed annual date; check separately whether an event will take place and when.

A 2023 municipal description mentions pilgrimages from the neighborhoods and outlying communities of the municipal capital during the December novena, as well as Indigenous dances in the main garden around the temple. The specific program may change; check the dates for your trip. Another religious tradition is the Procession of Silence, which has passed through the town’s streets for more than three decades. As participation grew, it was moved from the La Divina Providencia temple to the main garden. Here, too, we recommend checking locally for the date and details.

Wine visits in the municipality

There are several ways to learn about viticulture and winemaking in the municipality of Ezequiel Montes. Sala Vivé de Freixenet México offers tours of its facilities, including a 25-meter-deep cava, and explains the winemaking process. Tours are offered daily at various times in the morning and afternoon for all visitor groups. Other experiences include the Uva Bus, wine tastings and horseback rides through the vineyards. Times and availability may change; check the current offerings before your visit.

Food is also part of the visit: Sala Vivé’s Food Garden serves cheese boards, cold cuts, pasta and pizza; the Wine Bar serves the house’s full wine range. Traditional festivals associated with Sala Vivé include the Fiesta de la Vendimia, the Festival de la Cosecha de la Uva and the Festival de la Paella. Check festival dates separately.

At Viñedos Azteca, you can taste up to five varieties of wine, visit the vines and tour the Enobar, Vermutería and Bodega. Tastings with food pairings are also available on request. Experiences also include horseback rides, lakeside picnics and bottle-painting activities for children; availability may vary. La Redonda planted its first vineyard in 1975 and has a winemaking tradition spanning more than 40 years. It has an Italian-Mexican restaurant, a Wine Bar and a Wine Garden, where wine is served with, among other things, a generous cheese board. Dining options may also change. To choose where to visit, it helps to compare them: Sala Vivé combines a tour of the deep cava with a range of experiences; Viñedos Azteca focuses on tastings and tours of several areas; and La Redonda complements its winemaking with a restaurant and Wine Garden.

Villa Progreso: crafts and regional cuisine

In nearby Villa Progreso, there are workshops making ixtle products and pottery, including Cerámica Servín. Ixtle crafts there also include clotheslines, various figures and ropes for charrería. Villa Progreso is home to old Otomí chapels, as well as the San Miguel Arcángel temple. Traditional cooks help preserve regional cuisine. Specialties highlighted in the municipality include nopal en penca and gorditas de maíz quebrado.

Plan your stay around your interests

The Peña de Bernal is also part of the municipality’s landscape: it is considered a monolith, a protected natural area and one of Mexico’s 13 natural wonders. The municipal capital is also known as a destination for business tourism, wholesale food centers and livestock operations.

When looking for a hotel in Ezequiel Montes, it’s worth first deciding what you want to focus on: local history and traditions, or additional visits to wineries in the municipality and Villa Progreso. Plan any tours and events that depend on specific dates around your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: El Pueblito, Santiago De Querétaro, Ciénaga, Vizarron De Montes, Amealco De Bonfil, Bernal, Coyote, San Juan Del Río.

For the complete travel overview: Querétaro.