Reporting From the Agave Fields – Where Tequila is Born

As you can see from this picture, Grover took his work seriously, climbing up the side of a distillation tank to get just the right angle.
As you can see from this picture, Grover took his work seriously, climbing up the side of a distillation tank to get just the right angle.

El Gran Jubileo recently asked us to shoot some hi-def video for their new website. It was a great opportunity to be out in the agave fields and to get to know their distillery and the kind, thoughtful people who work there.

The distillery, called La Alborada, or “the dawn,” is a family business run by Ing. Juan Antonio Alvarez Rodriguez, who is not just a master distiller, but also a man fascinated with soil, agave plants, and the best way to grow and care for them. We learned an incredible amount from him, and hopefully you will too when you see the video.

Later that day, we rode out to the edge of their fields where the whole crew (us included) were instructed to climb into the back of a truck since it was the only vehicle that could manage the long, bumpy and somewhat treacherous road down to the heart of agave plantation. Four of us stood in the bed of the truck, gripping the rails, as it rambled up and down rocky hills in the Tequila valley. It was evening and a refreshing breeze had just started to form. The sun was slipping behind the Tequila volcano and we were rushing to get some last evening light.

Here you can see Grover as a little white speck out in the field.
Here you can see Grover as a little white speck out in the field.

It’s always rewarding to be so close to the source of our tequila passion, and around the people who carry on the tradition. If you ever come to Tequila you may want to consider visiting the fine folks at La Alborada, and of course El Gran Jubileo’s website will be a must-see.

Agave piñas that were harvested during our photo shoot, on the floor of the distillery, before they were baked in the oven.
Agave piñas that were harvested during our photo shoot, on the floor of the distillery, before they were baked in the oven.

(See our earlier review of the El Gran Jubileo tequilas.)

-Scarlet