Sprawling Ranch Offers Wine-Making Potential Along Mexico’s Golden Corridor

A rider in a courtyard of a horse ranch in Dolores Hidalgo.

The colonial Mexico city of Dolores Hidalgo holds special significance in its history as the birthplace of its national independence from Spain.

Today, the small yet vibrant setting in north-central Mexico is a cultural delight with winding cobblestone streets lined with shops and vendor stalls offering beautiful Talavera pottery, a heritage style that originated during the Colonial period, locally-made ice cream and other treats. Due to its proximity to San Miguel de Allende's historic core, about a 30-minute drive, large parcels outside the small town have become in demand among commercial growers and horse breeders.

An aerial view of Dolores Hidalgo in north-central Mexico.

This sprawling ranch called Rancho en Jamaica encompasses roughly 219 hectares (about 541 acres), half certified for organic production.

"This property has great potential because it's a clean slate. It has been used as a truly agricultural production ranch up until this point," shares Jim Dolan, co-founder of top-producing broker CDR San Miguel.

Rancho en Jamaica has more than 219 acres, prime for development as a vineyard, organic farm or ... [+] equestrian property.

Dolan notes that a lack of trees and an abundance of wide-open space makes it ideal for wine production, and nearby operations offer further inspiration. The award-winning Cuna de Tierra Vineyard and Santisima Trinidad Vineyard are among the viniculture productions in the area.

"This ranch just doesn't have a lot of trees, but it's wide open, making it perfect for planting grapes. You don't have to do any kind of clearing or anything. It's all done."

The agricultural property, listed for about US $5.33 million, is located along the Golden Corridor ... [+] in between San Miguel de Allende and Dolores Hidalgo.

A handful of commercial structures are spread across the acreage, including offices and equipment storage. But what Dolan views as the most significant selling point is a full complement of water rights and three wells that are included with the ranch and feed "a full drop-irrigation system throughout the entire agricultural operation."

Water rights in Guanajuato, like all parts of Mexico, are controlled by CONAGUA, the national agency for water administration.

The property comes with an authorized water concession as well as machinery to farm both the organic ... [+] and conventional hectares.

"If you were to try to buy water rights, it would cost about [US] $1 per cubic meter. If it has 480,000-plus cubic meters, that's almost $500,000 for just the water," Dolan explains. "Factor in the preparation of wells and water-oriented infrastructure, and the agent says preparation and water-right costs can run upwards of $1 million."

CDR San Miguel holds the listing for Rancho en Jamaica, Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico. The asking price is about $5.33 million (MXN 109,600,000).

The ranch property is in proximity to two notable wineries: the award-winning Cuna de Tierra ... [+] Vineyard and Santisima Trinidad Vineyard.

Guanajuato International Airport (BJX) is about 37 miles from Dolores Hidalgo. The historic city is roughly equidistant from Guanajuato City and San Miguel de Allende.

CDR San Miguel is exclusive member of Forbes Global Properties, a consumer marketplace and membership network of elite brokerages selling the world’s most luxurious homes.