There’s a lot of moral outrage around the harvesting of agave that hasn’t yet reached maturity. But … when exactly is agave mature? By whose standards? And if the agave is getting harvested before it can produce seeds — which is always the case when you’re using the agave to make spirits — how is it a morals issue whether you harvest that agave a week before or a couple years before it reaches maturity? We light the fuse in this episode of Agave Road Trip!

Zapotitlán de Vadillo is a community of some 6,000 people in south central Jalisco. There’s a long history of traditional agriculture in this community — what’s now being called regenerative farming. But that history is at risk of disappearing. SACRED is supporting the build of a 4,000-square-foot public library in the community. The focus of the library will be regenerative farming, with a large portion of the collection being selected by local vinateros. SACRED is humbled and proud to be able to help support the future of regenerative agriculture in Zapotitlán de Vadillo. And it’s all made possible by a grant from 818 Tequila. To learn more about this library, and the other projects 818 Tequila is funding, please visit us at sacred.mx. The earth is home to all of us, and we’re honored to have been selected by 818 Tequila as their partner in making it a more welcoming home.

Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcast that helps gringx bartenders better understand agave, agave spirits, and rural Mexico. It’s hosted by Lou Bank and Chava Periban. 

Notes

Check out Tequila Matchmaker, a great resource that will tell you how and where your tequila was made. It’s also the service that is certifying some tequilas as additive-free.