Meet the pioneers of Lake Chapala’s emerging wine country

Lake Chapala, a popular tourist destination in Mexico, is known for its mild climate, volcanic soil, and elevation. These factors have made it a suitable location for grape cultivation, leading to the emergence of a burgeoning wine industry. Among the pioneers of this new wine country is Finca La Estramancia, a family-run boutique vineyard.

Ana María and Gerardo Torres, the owners of Finca La Estramancia, started the vineyard as a dream come true after moving to Chapala from Guadalajara. The couple chose the south side of the lake because of the high prices on the north shore, where they found a small tract of land covered in thorny huisache trees. Undeterred, they cleared the land and built their home.

Inspired by their visit to Germany, where they saw vineyards along the Rhine River, Gerardo had a vision of vineyards covering the hills of Lake Chapala. Despite initial skepticism from his neighbors, he managed to acquire 100 Tempranillo vines, which thrived in the lake-side conditions. The couple learned winemaking techniques from YouTube and created a Port-style wine from their first harvest.

Today, Finca La Estramancia boasts over 10,000 plants, including Tempranillo, Syrah, Malbec, Grenache, and Pinot Meunier. The vineyard offers unique wine tasting experiences with savory pairings, including charcuterie, homemade olive oil, and grape jams.