In Conversation with 3 Tequila Masters

Cinco de Mayo is one of those Americanized holidays that claims to celebrate a foreign culture but often ends up reducing it to caricature—piñatas, sombreros, and tequila slammers. As the true significance of the day drifts further from its Mexican origins, we see an opportunity to reclaim a more meaningful celebration—one that honors the spirit of Mexico through its national spirit and the people who craft it with care and integrity.

The story of tequila is a story worth toasting—one of legacy, community, and meticulous craft. Three recent conversations with visionary tequila producers—Sergio Vivanco (NOM 1414), Daday Suárez (Alto Canto), and the family behind Caballito Cerrero—spotlight this beautifully.

Sergio Vivanco reminds us that great tequila begins in the field. As a fifth-generation agave grower and master distiller at NOM 1414, he speaks to a philosophy of care—harvesting only mature agaves and honoring small production details that make all the difference. NOM 1414 produces Viva México, Plantador, Los Dos, and Siembra Azul brands.

At 9,000 feet above sea level, Daday Suárez’s Alto Canto distillery embodies radical commitment. Built from scratch in remote wilderness, it embraces elevation, ambient yeast, and wild fermentation to craft something truly singular. And with uncertain trade relations suddenly between the US and Mexico, Daday sees tequila as a bridge to connect our two countries.

With an astounding 15 generations of history, Caballito Cerrero connects us to tequila’s roots as indigenous spirit. Their gravity-fed distillery, carved into volcanic rock, is a working monument to heritage, reminding us that some traditions are absolutely worth the effort.

This Cinco de Mayo, raise your glass to tradition, to terroir, and to the people whose life’s work fills it with meaning.