LEÓN, MEXICO — San Miguel de Allende is set to become a global epicenter for viticulture and fine dining this November, as it prepares to host the “CMB Gala Internacional Guanajuato.” The event, scheduled for November 29 and 30, will bring together world-renowned wines, premium spirits, and a celebration of regional identity, drawing producers, sommeliers, chefs, and industry leaders from across the globe.
The high-profile experience will be hosted at the Hacienda San José Lavista and will kick off on Sunday, November 29, with the “World’s Best Tasting.” Held at the Hotel Pueblo Bonito Vantage, this event will feature an array of prestigious labels from premier wine regions, including Bordeaux and Haut-Médoc (France), Rioja (Spain), Douro (Portugal), Stellenbosch (South Africa), Valais and Vaud (Switzerland), Istria (Croatia), and Ningxia (China).
Guadalupe Robles León, Secretary of Tourism and Identity of Guanajuato, underscored the significance of the event during a recent press conference. “After the success of our experience in 2024, Guanajuato has regained the trust of this international organization to take an even larger step,” Robles León said. She noted that the gala serves as a foundational experience designed to intertwine wine with the region’s unique tourism and cultural heritage.
The centerpiece of the weekend will be the CMB Gala Internacional on Monday, November 30. This inaugural ceremony will recognize the global winners of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles with Grand Gold Medals and Revelation Trophies. Additionally, the gala will honor leadership and innovation through various categories, including Wine Personality of the Year, Woman of the Year, Young Winemaker of the Year, and Sustainable Winery of the Year. It will also feature awards for best design and packaging, as well as a humanitarian award recognizing social impact within the industry.
In a significant expansion of the event’s scope, the gala will introduce the “INSIGNIA by CMB 2027” awards for the first time. These honors will recognize the excellence of wine and beverage lists in the hospitality sector, specifically highlighting 17 founding establishments in Mexico that have integrated premium offerings into their core identities.
The event arrives as Guanajuato solidifies its position as a powerhouse in the Mexican wine scene. Currently the country’s fourth-largest wine producer, the state boasts 82 viticultural projects, 27 vineyards with a focus on tourism, and more than 600 hectares of cultivated land. The industry produces over 1.6 million bottles annually and generates more than 2,000 jobs, positioning the state as a key player in the country’s growing “Wine Route.”