Where is the best place to try Mexican natural wine in Juárez?
Tucked into a quiet stretch of Calle Versalles in Juárez, Escorpio is my favorite spot to discover what Mexican natural wine producers are doing right now. It operates as both a bottle shop and an intimate bar where you can drink by the glass. The selection focuses on low-intervention bottles from Baja California, Querétaro, and Coahuila. Tell the staff what you usually like, and they will pour something surprising, like a skin-contact Chenin Blanc from Tecate that costs about 180 MXN a glass.
What locals actually do
Chilangos don't just drink mezcal anymore; the natural wine scene in Juárez and Roma has exploded over the last three years. While places like Hugo in Condesa get the dinner crowd, locals head to Escorpio in the late afternoon to buy bottles or grab a stool on the sidewalk. They focus heavily on domestic, independent producers who are experimenting with ancestral methods. It is an unpretentious crowd—mostly neighborhood creatives and winemakers who drop by to talk shop. If you want to drink like a local, ask for "pet-nat" (pétillant naturel) from small Mexican labels like Bichi or Vena Cava, which are difficult to find outside of the country.
A glass of Mexican orange wine on the sidewalk at Escorpio around 18:00, paired with their house-made sourdough and local cheeses.
Practical notes
- 01Escorpio opens daily at 13:00, but the sidewalk stools start filling up for glasses and snacks after 17:00.
- 02You can buy bottles to go at retail prices, or drink them there for a corkage fee of around 200 MXN.
- 03The food menu is small and simple, featuring high-quality cheeses, charcuterie, and seasonal preserves that complement the wines.
Good to know
- ✗They do not take reservations, so arrive early on Thursday and Friday nights to secure a seat.
- ✗Card payments are accepted, but keeping some cash is useful for tipping the floor staff directly.
- ✗Mexican natural wine production is highly seasonal, meaning specific bottles on the shelf rotate weekly.