There is a long bike path on the other side of the highway from the RV Park. Many of the group have bicycles with them, so we hopped on the bikes and rode the 10 kms (6 miles) or so over to the Destiladora Agave Azul Tequila Distillery.
The distillery itself sent a vehicle to pick up Roy and Sue so that they could enjoy the tour as well. No charge.
On the way over, we saw this field of blue agave... the plant that is used to make tequila.
Here comes some of the group.
The distillery entrance sign at the town of San Juanito de Escobedo.
Arrived at the distillery.
Our guide Sandra only spoke Spanish, but they assigned an office employee David, who speaks English to translate for us.
First stop was at the ovens where the core of the blue agave plant is roasted. The core is called the piña. The blue agave plant has to grow for between 6-7 years before it is ready to be processed for tequila. We were fortunate that a truckload of fresh piña were being dropped off...
Before the piñas can be roasted, they have to be split. Here's Roger, taking his turn at splitting the piñas. It's hard work!
We all had to wear hair nets!
Fermentation.
They have built a new storage room.
This tequila operation is really quite small compared to the bigger ones.
David, talking to us about tequila.
The sample bottles.
All you can drink... no charge!
Us!
Ruth and I bought two bottles... one for 180 pesos ($12.50 CAD, $9.50 USD), and one for 130 pesos ($9.00 CAD, $6.90 USD).
Lots of fun, and what a friendly, welcoming group of people working there.
Today, we are going for a long hike. We are due for some exercise!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Record low deal on this Samsung Chromebook Laptop.
And in Canada...
That is interesting what plant is used to make the Tequila. How long does it Ferment for before going in the Barrels. For a small operation that is still quite large. Hopefully nobody had trouble riding back to their RVs.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy your exercise.
It's about time.
Fermentation can take anywhere from 3-12 days depending on if yeast is used or just a natural fermentation is used. Once it has fermented it is then distilled twice to become "Tequila" after that it is aged. Normal white Tequila (normally the lowest grade) is aged two months, Reposado is aged 2 months to 1 year in oak barrels and añejo which is aged 1-3 years in oak barrels and then the extra añejo which is aged longer than 3 years.
DeleteNo one had trouble biking home! :-)
I think you blog about this last year but always nice to see new scenery. This morning, I put Coffee Liqueur Kahlua in my coffee with whip cream and nut meg. So delicious on a chilly morning. Rum is one of fav especially with pineapple juice. So nice to see all riding bikes. I need to dust my three wheel bike off and ride.
ReplyDeleteYes, we were there in March of this year and enjoyed it so much we took the group back there again this year.
DeleteThere are only three units that don't have bikes this year so yes, we are doing a bit more biking this year. And luckily enough the town offers up a few bikes to those wanting to use them. They were free but the bikes aren't all that great.
Beautiful distillery and you even get to bicycle to it for exercise. Nice to know special places and not go to the touristy ones. Hope no one tipsy biking home.
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful distillery and they keep adding to it and making it even nicer. We agree, we would rather give this small local distillery our business rather than the big brand name ones that are way more touristy and charge for their tours and their tastings.
DeleteLol, everyone behaved themselves. :-)
Rainbow sells agave as a sweet syrup.
ReplyDeleteWe find that most stores sell agave syrup now.
DeleteLooks like a fun tour. Your header shot of the field of blue agave is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWe had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs during and after the tour. We agree that field of blue agave with the horse in it, is a great picture. :-)
DeleteOh Geez......You brought back 40yr memories....Ta-Kill-ya Tuesdays at a local bar..Sunrises-sunsets....Not worth much on Wednesday mornings....
ReplyDeleteNeat looking plants and the factory looks very clean...
P.S. Don't think I've had another T-drink since..slow gin in the same boat....
Haha, I love the Ta-kill-ya Tuesdays, that is a good one. :-)
DeleteWe had a great tour, and yes the factory is very clean.
The US has issued new travel warnings for Mexico. One of the recommendations was to use toll roads rather than backroads, not travel Mexico at night, and others, including counties most vulnerable.
ReplyDeleteYes, those warnings have been around since we started coming to Mexico in 2007.
DeleteI have admired that bike path through your previous travels in Mexico. How fun to get to ride with your fellow caravaners to a distillery! We did that once in Missouri, though it was a whiskey distillery rather than tequila. A fun time until we had to ride the very, very steep climb back to the campground after a couple of "tastes" at the distillery. Owie! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, we have been on this bike path a number of times, it is a wonderful trail. I hope that they continue in on west of the town because at the moment that end of the trail stops at the edge of town but going east it goes a very long way.
DeleteThe group really enjoyed our bike ride to the distillery, and I think we all behaved ourselves so that we had a safe journey back. :-)