November 2003

Bringing together three of Mexico’s finest wineries for a three day Wine Festival is just the latest endeavor in Hotel Villa del Sol’s commitment to fine wine and dining.

Asked whether Hotel Villa del Sol’s recent Wine Spectator Award of Excellence was the impetus for the first annual Villa del Sol Wine festival, Jonathan Wise, who with his wife Nicole are general managers of the hotel, stated that the award was not directly related but “just an indication of our new even bigger commitment to high quality food and beverage.” The award for excellence is based not only on an exemplary wine list but its excellent harmony with the menu, it’s superior organization and entire presentation as well as the knowledge of the staff. Villa del Sol staff goes to wine school and can be counted on to have a thorough knowledge of the wines they list. Of the thirteen restaurants in Mexico receiving the award, eleven are in Mexico City, and Villa del Sol is one of only two beach resorts to receive this year’s award for excellence.

Further accentuating their commitment to wine, Villa del Sol hosted their first annual Wine Festival October 2,3 and 4, 2003. In attendance were representatives from the Mexican wineries: Monte Xanic, Bodegas Santo Tomás and Casa Madero, the oldest winery in North America. Histories of each winery and discussions of their select wines were presented individually at an informal wine tasting each evening, open to the public, and followed by a five course meal prepared by the hotel’s chefs, matched with five wines amid commentary and information from the respective wineries. The festival was designed for small intimate groups of 30 or less to maximize attention to detail. The attendees were wined and dined sumptuously and reported rave reviews for wine and meal alike.

If you are a wine fan and missed the festival, rest assured the same award winning wine list is available year round at the hotel’s restaurants.