City Market
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by Dave Butner

As a former winemaker in Washington State, now retired and living in San Miguel de Allende, exploring the nearby wineries in this young and growing wine region—and discovering new wines in local shops and restaurants—has been an exciting and eye-opening experience. It's been a fun way to reconnect with wine from a new perspective, not as a producer, but as a curious and open-minded consumer.

That said, being a wine lover here definitely comes with its challenges. More than once at a restaurant, I've asked to see the wine list and been told, "We have red or white." That's it—no details on varietals, regions, or producers. And sometimes what arrives at the table is a total mystery. Storage and serving temperatures can also be inconsistent. I've had rich reds served ice cold, and seen bottles displayed in shop windows where they're hit with direct sun all day long. When it's 90°F outside, that kind of exposure can really compromise the wine.

The aromatic components of a red wine
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But despite these hiccups, there are plenty of bright spots and great experiences to be had. One standout is Casa Nostra, a cozy and elegant restaurant where the wine program is clearly a priority. Owner and wine enthusiast Marco Massarotti has put together an impressive cellar with a thoughtful, international selection. His passion and care have earned the restaurant the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence two years in a row—2023 and 2024—which speaks volumes about his commitment to quality.

Another gem is City Market, which feels almost like a playground for wine lovers. The wine section is large, well-organized, and most importantly, climate-controlled. You won't find bottles sweating in the heat or exposed to sunlight. While the U.S. selection is fairly limited and can be pricey, you can find excellent values from Spain, Chile, and Argentina—regions that offer great quality for the price and are particularly well-suited to the Mexican palate and cuisine.

Los Remedios Winery tasting
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From the left: the author with partner and friends
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A real highlight for me was a visit to Los Remedios Winery, just a short drive outside of town. The setting is lovely, with a peaceful patio where tastings are conducted in a very interactive and engaging way. Each wine is paired with a small glass filled with the ingredients that mirror its aromas—things like strawberry, blackberry, chocolate, herbs, or peppercorns. It's a hands-on way to train your nose and palate, and I found it to be both educational and fun. It reminded me how wine can be such a multi-sensory experience. I found the wines to be some of the best I have sampled in Guanajuato, especially the reds and notably the Cabernet Franc which I noted has a profile of deep rich dark berries and plum, with a delightful, lingering note of green kitchen herbs on the nose.

One of the most interesting things I've noticed is how the wines here often break traditional rules. Winemakers in this region aren't afraid to experiment—they're blending grapes in ways you wouldn't typically see in more established wine regions. You might find a Tempranillo blended with Pinot Noir, or a Syrah paired with Malbec and a touch of Grenache. These unconventional blends don't always follow European or even North American standards, but that's part of their charm. There's a real sense of creativity and freedom here, and while the results can be hit or miss, the experimentation is refreshing and speaks to a region still discovering its identity.

Rooftop dining at Casa Nostra
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As I continue to explore the wine and food scene around San Miguel de Allende, I'm excited to share more of my discoveries. I'll be writing about restaurants with standout wine lists, places that offer well-curated by-the-glass options, and hidden gems in wine shops where you can score a great bottle without breaking the bank. I also hope to highlight some of the local wineries that are quietly making a name for themselves and deserve a little more attention.

Wine here may not always follow the rules I was used to back in Washington, but that's part of the adventure. It's been a joy to embrace the unexpected, to learn from the local culture, and to taste with fresh eyes—and I look forward to raising a glass to many more discoveries along the way.

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Dave Butner had a 40+ year career in IT as a software engineer. Winemaking was a hobby that turned into a second job, opening a winery with a tasting room. He contracted with vineyards to purchase grapes for his wines, ran the winery for eight years, doing it all by himself, a one man operation, selling it in 2016 and then did winemaking consulting for start up winery for some years afterwards.

It was always a small operation. He made 1,000 cases a year at most, doing it all while keeping his day job. Had a ton of fun and was successful in the sense of being written about in wine publications and such, pouring at wine events and competitions. Wine has been a big love of his for 40 years. He has traveled and tasted all over the major wine regions in the US.

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