Coloradans love wine. And while the U.S. (and even Colorado itself) has a stellar wine scene, here’s an opportunity to visit a fabulous destination to experience its culture, food and impressive wine offerings. InGoodTasteDenver.com has partnered with the Oaxaca Food & Wine Festival (February 25-March 1, 2026) to help you discover a wine scene you might not even know existed! More than likely, when you think of Mexico you think “mezcal” and “tequila.” But Mexico also produces excellent wines which motivated the creation of the festival, celebrating its second year in 2026, held in the Culinary Capital of Mexico. Here’s everything you need to know to make plans to attend the event. PLUS, use our exclusive code “OFF10” for 10% off any individual ticket except VIP.
What is the Festival?
The Oaxaca Food & Wine Festival is an opportunity to taste and learn more about the wine produced in around seven states in Mexico. The majority comes from Baja California (which IS in Mexico), but other areas including Aguas-calientes, Coahuila, Guanajuato, Queretaro and Zacatecas also produce delicious wines. Often family-owned and run, the wineries are small and typically only produce enough to sell within Mexico. So, being able to taste them offers rare opportunities for those attending the Oaxaca Food and Wine Festival.
During the festival, these wines are paired with cuisine prepared from some of Oaxaca’s most
celebrated chefs and their restaurants including husband-and-wife team Rodrigo y Nicole from El Olivo Gastrobar; Chef/Owner Andrea Sánchez López of El Tendajón Agavería; Executive Chef Eduardo Vero of Muro; and Executive Chef Miguel Mijangos from Ancestral Cocina Tradicional.
Over the five-day event, eight curated dining experiences include excellent food, drink and cultural experiences, all celebrating local culture! What a wonderful way to do what Real Food Traveler is all about – experiencing a destination through its local food and drink scene, including the people, places, traditions and techniques.
Beyond the festival’s eight events, there’s still plenty of time to explore the city of Oaxaca on your own as well as neighboring villages. The producers of the Festival have expert and verified guides available for small-group tours so add on few days and make the most of your time there.
The event is produced by the same team who has brought the award-winning Key West Food and Wine Festival (January 28-Feb. 1, 2026) to Florida for more than 17 years! So, you know they know what they are doing.
When is it?
February 25-March 1, 2026.
Where is it?
The Oaxaca Food and Wine Festival is held in Oaxaca, in the south of Mexico. Each of the eight events of the Festival are held in different venues, all in the general “centro” area, making it easy for guests to walk or take a taxi to all locations.
What is the schedule for the Oaxaca Food & Wine Festival?
There are two events each day except for the welcome dinner event and a special brunch on the last day. While you can purchase tickets for individual events, the best value and experience is VIP (details below).
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25:
Cruz Cocina Mixta – Art, Architecture & Cuisine with a Killer View – A 3-course wine dinner featuring Cava Maciel wines, at Cruz Cocina Mixta at the Flavia Luxury Hotel which features modern architecture, artwork and the most gorgeous view found in Oaxaca. Ticket includes roundtrip van transportation.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26:
El Tendajón Agavería – Mezcal Tasting & Lunch – Inspired by small, local grocery shops that sell everything from food to medicine to mezcal, and sometimes freshly-prepared food, Chef-owner Andrea Sanchez serves traditional Oaxacan dishes with a creative twist.
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The OaxAsia Cocktail Party – Muro Restaurant’s Chef Eduardo creates a mashup of Oaxacan food with an Asian influence, served with Mexican wine, mezcalitas, Oaxacan craft beers, enjoyed while watching the sunset and grooving to Latin DJ vibes.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27:
Ancestral Wine Lunch with Chef Miguel Mijangos – A 3-course wine lunch, created by Chef owner Miguel Mijangos, at Ancestral Cocina Tradicional, where traditional meets contemporary, includes Chef Miguel chatting with the group about the history of “Cocina Traditional” and his inspiration for the Michelin-noted restaurant.
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Where the Beat Meets the Bite – At Vino y Vinyl, it’s a dinner and dance party with more than 2000 albums to choose from. Assorted pastas, baguettes, salads, flan and plenty of wine will be served.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28:
El Olivo Gastrobar – A Rooftop Paella Party – Experience Spain’s strong influence on Mexico with paella prepared in front of your eyes and served over an open fire. The meal starts with house-cured charcuterie and includes tastings of house-brewed beer and Mexican wines, all at El Olivo Gastrobar.
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¡Mole Y Mezcal y a Calenda! – Be part of a special street parade for the Festival that strolls a few blocks to Casa Convite, before feasting on two iconic Mexican creations, mole and mezcal. Sample various types of mole dishes typical of Oaxaca culinary heritage, learning how they are made. Enjoy them with tortillas cooked on the comal and Mezcalitas.
SUNDAY, MARCH 1:
Brunch Guelaguetza – Bring the festival to a delicious close at Origen, with a multi-course, wine-paired meal. The four courses include a variety of options prepared by Chef Rodolfo Castellanos and wines from organic winery Dos Buhos.
How do I get tickets to the Oaxaca Food and Wine Festival?
Tickets are sold ONLY in advance, on the Festival website. While you can purchase tickets for individual events (each linked above in the schedule), the best price is with the VIP Experience ticket ($909 USD). That includes all eight events PLUS a carefully-curated swag bag of locally made products and a commemorative wine glass.
BONUS: Use code OFF10 at checkout to get 10% off any ticket, except for VIP Experience tickets.
If you have questions that go beyond the information provided here and, on the website, you can email oaxacafoodwinefestival@gmail.com.
Click the links to help you book your flight and your lodging, using our In Good Taste Denver affiliate links.
–By Courtney Drake-McDonough, Publisher & Managing Editor, InGoodTasteDenver.com
Please note: InGoodTasteDenver.com may earn commission from purchasing Festival tickets through the Oaxaca Food & Wine Festival and from booking flight and lodging through our various affiliate links. This helps support the running of our site but doesn’t affect your searching abilities or pricing in any way.
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