Recently following the National Sales Meeting, members of the International Team had an exciting opportunity to embark on a three-day trip to Mexico to visit the facilities at Tierres de Agaves (Lunazul) and Los Alambiques (Tequila Ocho). As international markets are a core focus of Heaven Hill’s corporate strategy, it is essential for the team managing these brands globally to be knowledgeable about them.

After a travel day, the team enjoyed a wonderful dinner and Lunazul tasting hosted by Francisco Quijano (Lunazul Master Distiller) and his team. The next day, the international team were warmly welcomed to Tierra de Agaves, the Lunazul distillery located in the historic town of Tequila. The day began with a visit to the agave fields, followed by a demonstration of how the jimadors harvest agave, along with some hands-on instruction! A number of the group tested their jimador skills and left with a greater respect for this unique skillset.

After a refreshing pit stop for a Cantarito, Francisco led a comprehensive tour around the distillery, showcasing the entire production process from cooking the agave to hand labeling, where several team members got involved. It was inspiring for the team to see firsthand all the sustainable initiatives the brand has implemented.

On the third day, they concluded the trip with a visit to Los Alambiques, the picturesque Tequila Ocho distillery nestled in the highlands of Jalisco. After a tour of the production facilities and the tequila-making process, they participated in a tasting session highlighting the different agave estate locations and their distinct terroirs. The team was blown away by both distilleries, the dedication shown by the teams behind the two brands, and the warm hospitality they received during their visit.