Mezonte Michoacan – Emilio Vieyra

About this destilado de agave

Mezonte Michoacan from Emilio Vieyra is made with semi-wild Agave cupreata by maestro mezcalero Emilio Vieyra. The terroir of Michoacan is characterized by its rivers; the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt with many active, dormant and extinct volcanoes; and the variety of forests from conifer to tropical. The Vieyra Vinata is cut into the side of a hill in the steep highlands above Morelia in the Rio Balsas region surrounded by temperate evergreen forest. The high-altitude climate is characterized by sandy-soil and moderate rainfall. The forest floor is soft with pine needles, moss and a red sandy clay; all of which are influences in the flavor profile. The agave used in this mezcal begin life in the Vieyra agave nursery. Once they grow to a healthy size, they are replanted on the mountain slopes surrounding the vinata, and left to grow undisturbed until reaching maturity. Once mature, the agave Cupreata are roasted in a pit oven, fermented using naturally occurring yeasts in Oak Wood tanks, and double distilled in a Filipino style still. During the third distillation, Don Emilio adds a turkey breast to the still along with season herbs and spices.

Mezonte

Mezonte is a noprofit organization that promotes, supports, and preserves the production and practices of traditional agave spirits. Mezonte’s main objective is to create awareness of the cultural and biological value that these spirits represent. They feature agave spirits from all over Mexico, with an emphasis on Jalisco and Michoacán. Their producers make mezcal, raicilla, barranca, tuxca, sikua, or any other name used for distilled agave in this region. When Mezonte buys a batch from a producer, they only buy 60% of the batch because they want the community and the culture of the community to continue to consume and enjoy as they have for hundreds of years.

Learn more about Mezonte:

• Mezonte Supports Family Producers & Damn Good Mezcal on the K&L Wines Spirits Journal blog