A Sip of the Valle in Dallas

When Arturo Flores and Eduardo Mendoza decided to open a wine shop in Dallas, they opted for the road less traveled. Sure, it would have been easy to line their Jefferson Boulevard wine shop with Italian chiantis, French Bordeauxes and Spanish Tempranillos, but they didn’t want any of that. No, they wanted to focus on el Valle de Guadalupe, the Napa Valley of Mexico.

In the fall of 2023, Flores and Mendoza made history when they opened Texas’ first Mexican wine and beer shop, Vinito.

Inside Vinito, a treasure trove of wines from the Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Coahuila, Chihuahua and Querétaro line the shelves. Its success unveiled and quenched Dallas’ thirst for Mexican varietals. So much so, a wine shop wasn’t enough.

On Nov. 24, the best friends and co-founders opened Dallas’ first exclusive Mexican wine and cocktail lounge, Valle, in Bishop Arts.

The Observer stopped by Valle for a nightcap on a chilly Wednesday night. It's sandwiched between Elia De Leon’s atelier showroom and Lockhart Smokehouse. Large black letters are top lit to signal its presence.

Valle tears a page out of Mexico City’s book, which is renowned for its award-winning bar scene replete with neighborhood bars with moody interiors, innovative cocktails and sophisticated atmospheres. Colonia Juaréz’s Handshake Speakeasy is the world's best bar in 2024, according to The World's 50 Best.

The Bishop Arts newcomer is intimate and sexy, but casual. Dim lighting, dark green and deep-teal-glazed-tiled walls and minimalist furniture create an elevated environment. Accent lighting at the bar and ceiling alternates colors depending on the night’s vibe.

We walked into the sounds of “Lo Siento BB:/” by Tainy, Bad Bunny and Julieta Venegas at a conversation-friendly volume. Visitors have praised the wine bar’s music selection, which includes Spanish rock hits from Mexico City’s Caifanes.

A QR code takes you to the three-page menu. The first page is an intro.

“Immersed in the rich tapestry of Mexican culture, we draw inspiration from the diverse wine traditions, breathtaking valleys and flavors that are waiting to be discovered,” Valle’s menu poetically reads. “Our journey is fueled by a passionate dream to narrate, educate and present Mexico from a fresh and captivating perspective.”

Mexican white, reds, bubbles, naturals and rose wines are available by the glass starting at $12 a pour. A bright glass of sauvignon blanc from Baja California’s Bodegas Magoni is $17. There’s a malbec, syrah, tempranillo and merlot red blend from Valle de Jaral de Berrios in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Our choice was the $22 glass of 2019 Montepulciano from Chihuahua’s award-winning winery Piñamora. Valle doesn’t serve food, but this easy-to-drink ruby red pour would pair well with a charcuterie spread with olives and slices of buttery chihuahua cheese.

Valle’s seven-drink cocktail menu offers collaborations with local Mexican-owned small business Santitos. The carajillo de olla ($15) is made with Herradura reposado, Liquor 43, Santitos café de olla syrup and Cafetio Co. cold brew. Santitos’ michelada mix paired with a choice of beer is $5.

The paloma is one of Mexico’s famed cocktails. Valle offers the Paloma Negra ($15), a variation made with tequila blanco, Santitos limonada de carbon, grapefruit and Agua de Piedra.
The horchata martini ($16) is an instant hit. This tequila-based martini is made with horchata, cold brew and kahlua. The drink sips easily with notes of sweetened milk, vanilla and cinnamon at the end.

The wine-by-the-bottle menu is Baja California-heavy and includes winemakers like Vinaltura, Xolo, Lagrimas and Henri Lurton.

Grab a bottle of family-owned Vinaltura’s 2018 Gewurztraminer ($70) for Tuesday date night. Listen to the sounds of Spanish Band The Lux from 8 to 10 p.m.

If you like what you taste, join Valle's wine club. Subscriptions start at $30 per month for one bottle to $70 per month for three.

Valle, 509 N. Bishop Ave., Suite C. Daily, 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.