The Meseta del Cielo vineyard is Nayarit’s first vineyard and one of the highest in Mexico: it sits at about 1,900 meters (6,200 ft) above sea level on the Juanacatlán plateau, in the mountains of the Jala municipality, on volcanic soil from the Ceboruco volcano. The first vines went in in 2019, and the grapes that adapted best are Syrah (red) and Macabeo (white). Visits are by reservation only, for a walk through the vines and a tasting.
This guide covers exactly where it is, what to expect from a visit, how to get there from Tepic, Guadalajara or Puerto Vallarta, when to go and how to build a weekend around it with Jala, the Ceboruco volcano and the towns of southern Nayarit. We only include facts we could confirm; anything that changes often (prices, hours, tasting formats) is marked “ask when booking.”
Meseta del Cielo vineyard at a glance
- Location: Juanacatlán plateau, next to the village of Cofradía de Juanacatlán, Jala municipality, Nayarit.
- Elevation: about 1,900 m, more than 800 m above the town of Jala (about 1,070 m).
- Soil: dark volcanic soil linked to the Ceboruco volcano.
- First vines: 2019.
- Signature grapes: Syrah and Macabeo.
- Visits: vineyard walk and tasting by prior reservation; price depends on the tasting (ask when booking).
Where the Meseta del Cielo vineyard is
The vineyard sits high in the range that rises east of Jala, on the Juanacatlán plateau. From town, a mountain road climbs through the village of Los Aguajes to the Cofradía de Juanacatlán area; it’s about 23 km (14 miles) and takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on road conditions. As the crow flies, it’s about 12 km east of Jala’s main square.
The plateau is part of the volcanic landscape of southern Nayarit, where the Ceboruco dominates the horizon. That setting is exactly what makes the vineyard unusual: altitude and volcanic soil in a state better known for beaches and tropical heat. If the volcano catches your interest, we cover it in depth in the volcanoes of Nayarit.
Why there is wine in Nayarit
Nayarit lies in the tropics, where it is normally too hot for grapevines. Altitude makes up for latitude: at 1,900 meters the nights are cool and the swing between day and night temperatures is wider, which helps grapes ripen while keeping their acidity. Add well-drained, mineral-rich volcanic soil and you have the same principle behind high-altitude winemaking elsewhere in Mexico.
This is not a traditional wine region. Meseta del Cielo is a young, pioneering project, which gives a visit a sense of discovery. The vines were planted in 2019 and, after trials with several grapes, two stood out.
The grapes: Syrah and Macabeo
| Grape | Type | Typical character | Pairs with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syrah | Red | Deep color, dark fruit, spice and earthy notes | Grilled meats, birria (slow-cooked spiced meat), pollo a la plaza (local fried chicken plate) |
| Macabeo (Viura) | White | Fresh whites with lively acidity and a mineral or floral profile | Fish, seafood, fresh cheeses |
Syrah is a French grape that thrives under strong sun; Macabeo, from Spain, is the backbone of many Spanish whites and sparkling wines. Labels, vintages and styles change from year to year, so ask which wines will be poured when you book.
Meseta del Cielo’s awards and wines
For such a young project, recognition came quickly. Its first wines hit the market in 2022 and, in 2024, two of its labels won medals in the blind-tasting competition run by Cava, one of the leading Mexican wine magazines; its Syrah aged 12 months in barrel also made that magazine’s Top 99 Mexican wines. The 2022 and 2024 Syrah vintages have appeared on lists of Mexico’s best wines of the year.
| Label | Style | Pairing suggested by the winery |
|---|---|---|
| Gran Poeta | Young Syrah | Pozole and Mexican snacks |
| Syrah 12 meses | Barrel-aged Syrah | Paella and rice dishes |
| Macabeo | White | Oysters and seafood |
| Rosado Macabeo-Syrah | Rosé | Desserts such as rice pudding |
| Santa Sirena | Hibiscus-flower drink | On its own, chilled; a great souvenir |
Santa Sirena, made from hibiscus (jamaica) flowers, is the house’s most original label and a visitor favorite. Labels change with each harvest, so ask which ones will be poured when you book.
A heads-up: a claim circulates online that a Nayarit wine won gold at an international competition in San Francisco in 2026. We found no record confirming it, so we’ve left it out; the verifiable awards are the ones from Cava magazine.
Visits and tastings: what to expect
The vineyard welcomes visitors by prior reservation only, and in 2025 it opened to the public on Saturdays and Sundays. The basic experience is a walk between the rows of vines, with an explanation of the project and the terrain, followed by a guided tasting. The price depends on the type of tasting and group size, and there are no permanently published rates, so ask about price, length and what’s included when you book.
Useful questions when booking:
- How many wines are in the tasting, and is there an option with food or a cheese board?
- Can you buy wine on site, and which payment methods are accepted?
- Are children welcome on the tour?
- Is the road in good shape on your date, especially in the rainy season?
- Are there weekday visits, or weekends only?
Book ahead for weekends and Mexican long weekends. If you’ll be tasting, bring a designated driver: the way back down to Jala is a mountain road.
How to get to the Meseta del Cielo vineyard
Your reference point is Jala, on the Tepic–Guadalajara toll road (15D). Take the Jala/Ceboruco exit into town, then follow the road toward Los Aguajes and the Juanacatlán plateau. The final stretch is a mountain road; in the rainy season a high-clearance vehicle is a good idea. There is no public transportation to the vineyard, so you’ll need a car or a hired driver.
| From | Approx. distance | Approx. time | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tepic → Jala | 73 km (45 mi) | 1 h | 15D toward Guadalajara |
| Jala → vineyard | 23 km (14 mi) | 30–45 min | Mountain road via Los Aguajes |
| Tepic → vineyard | 95 km (59 mi) | 1 h 40 min – 2 h | 15D + mountain road |
| Guadalajara → vineyard | 160 km (99 mi) | 2 h 30 min | 15D via Ixtlán del Río and Jala |
| Puerto Vallarta → vineyard | 200 km (124 mi) | 3 h – 3 h 30 min | Hwy 200 and 15D via Chapalilla |
Distances calculated in 2026; the mountain stretch takes longer in the rainy season. For flights and buses into the state, see how to get to Nayarit.
When to visit
- November to April: dry season, clear skies and firm roads. Mornings and evenings on the plateau can be cold, so pack a jacket.
- May: the hottest month in the lowlands, though the altitude takes the edge off up here.
- June to October: afternoon rain; the landscape is lush but the road can turn muddy. Confirm access before you set out.
- August: Jala holds its Corn Fair (Feria del Elote), a good excuse to combine both.
To compare with the rest of the state, see the best time to visit Nayarit.
What to pair it with: a weekend in southern Nayarit
The vineyard slots neatly into a two-day getaway through the south of the state. Nearby stops:
- Jala: a Pueblo Mágico (one of Mexico’s designated “Magical Towns”) with the stone Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption and an August Corn Fair famous for its giant ears of corn.
- Ceboruco volcano: Nayarit’s only active volcano (2,280 m). A road of about 15 km climbs from Jala to the antennas and steam vents.
- Salto de Jomulco: a waterfall 7 km from Jala, with a creekside trail and pools; more ideas in waterfalls and hot springs in Nayarit.
- Ahuacatlán and Ixtlán del Río: neighboring towns on the same highway; Ixtlán is home to the Los Toriles archaeological site and its round temple.
| When | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1, morning | Arrive in Jala; main square and basilica |
| Day 1, afternoon | Drive up the Ceboruco (dry season) |
| Day 1, evening | Dinner in Jala; try the regional pollo a la plaza |
| Day 2, morning | Salto de Jomulco or Los Toriles |
| Day 2, afternoon | Vineyard walk and tasting at Meseta del Cielo (reserved), then head back |
To make a full day of it, Nayarit’s state tourism office promotes a route through the Jala highlands that ends at the vineyard: it starts in Jomulco with a traditional breakfast and an herbal-medicine workshop, climbs to the community of Rosa Blanca on the Juanacatlán plateau for traditional remedies and a tortilla workshop, and wraps up at Meseta del Cielo with the vineyard walk and tasting.
The vineyard is part of our pick of hidden places in Nayarit, where you’ll find more little-known spots in the south. For the regional food, see traditional dishes from Nayarit, and for places to stay in Jala, the Visita Nayarit directory.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Meseta del Cielo vineyard?
On the Juanacatlán plateau, next to Cofradía de Juanacatlán, in the Jala municipality of Nayarit, at about 1,900 m and roughly 23 km by mountain road from town.
Can you visit the Meseta del Cielo vineyard?
Yes, but only with a prior reservation. The visit includes a walk through the vines and a tasting; the price depends on the tasting, so ask when you book.
What grapes are grown at Meseta del Cielo?
The varieties that adapted best are Syrah, a red grape, and Macabeo, a white. The vines were planted in 2019.
How far is the vineyard from Tepic?
About 95 km: one hour on the 15D toll road to Jala, then 30 to 45 minutes of mountain road. Allow 1 h 40 min to 2 hours.
Is there wine from Nayarit?
Yes. Meseta del Cielo, in Jala, is the state’s first vineyard and uses the altitude and volcanic soil of the Ceboruco area to make wine.
Do I need a 4×4 to get there?
In the dry season a regular car can make it with care; from June to October, with rain, a high-clearance vehicle is better. Ask about road conditions when you book.
What awards has Meseta del Cielo won?
In 2024 two of its wines won medals in Cava magazine’s blind-tasting competition, and its Syrah aged 12 months in barrel made the magazine’s Top 99 Mexican wines.
Area map
- 1Meseta del Cielo vineyard Juanacatlán plateau, approx. 1,900 m. Reservation only.21.10414, -104.32028 · Open in Google Maps
- 2Los Aguajes Village on the road from Jala to the vineyard.21.10709, -104.35456 · Open in Google Maps
- 3Jala (Pueblo Mágico) Starting point; 73 km from Tepic on the 15D.21.1031, -104.4368 · Open in Google Maps
- 4Ceboruco volcano (crater) Active volcano, 2,280 m; 15 km road from Jala.21.1252, -104.5076 · Open in Google Maps
- 5Salto de Jomulco waterfall Waterfall 7 km from Jala.21.1017, -104.406 · Open in Google Maps
