Tequila Boss Ladies
“The world will be saved by the western woman.”
The Dalai Lama, Vancouver Peace Summit, September 2009
We’re pretty sure His Holiness had no idea that his proclamation would also include this Who’s Who of women in the Tequila Industry and beyond.
Mary Clemente—Jurado Tequila…
Exclusivity breeds demand and Clemente’s Jurado Tequila, nicknamed the Black Swan (a metaphor used to describe hard-to-predict, high-impact and far-reaching events), is so rare that you’ll have to travel to Asia or the Middle East to find it.
Solely at Duty Free stores winter 2013, with rock star celebrity chef Grant MacPherson supplying added culinary deliciousness for the tequila connoisseur and world traveler.
Paula Torres—Nobleza Azúl tequila…
Not only does Paula own her own brand, but she comes from a family of Highlands agave growers. Fiercely protective of her family’s land, heritage and tradition, Paula is involved in every aspect of Nobleza’s growth.
Find award winning Nobleza Azúl throughout Southern California and parts of Chicago, Las Vegas and Utah.
Watch our Sipping off the Cuff episode for Nobleza Azul here.
Maribel Garcia Cano—Tequilas del Señor…
The mysterious Ingeniera García craftily flies under the tequila radar.
Quietly going about her business supervising the quality of the tequilas churned out at the famed Tequilas del Señor distillery, she has also managed to develop the critically acclaimed Don Diego Santa Tequila.
“…women would become the ‘saviors of the global economy.'”
CNN, October 2012
Carmen Alicia Villarreal Treviño—Tequila San Matías de Jalisco…
CEO Villarreal is the only female distillery owner to date.
Launching the legendary brand Carmessí in 1999, created with the essence of today’s women in mind, its website declares, “At Casa San Matías we’ve developed different tequilas to suit all of our clients, from daring women to experienced consumers.”
Available in major markets in the US and Europe.
Known by some as “La Diosa Mayahuel” (the Goddess Mayahuel), Ana is the final word on agave ethno-botanics and the conservation of all native species of agaves in Mexico.
This published author frequently consults to agave growers and tequila brand owners.
An outspoken advocate for agave biodiversity and defending tequila’s Appellation of Origin, her next book, The Geographic Indication of Tequila, will cover just that.
Ana Maria Romero Mena…
The only woman to be given the title of “Maestra Tequilera” by the powerful National Chamber of the Tequila Industry (CNIT), Ana Maria has consulted and taught seminars for every major tequila producer in the business, as well as developed several signature tequila brands for others.
She’s even designed a kit to help describe tequila aromas and written an award-winning book on the subject.
Sophie Decobecq—Calle 23 Tequila…
How does a nice French biochemist/engineer become a tequila brand owner? Simple…
She falls in love with the fermentation process, develops three different yeast cultures and produces three very different tasting tequilas.
Infusing them with her wacky sense of humor (“Tequila drives a Cadillac” is a favorite t-shirt slogan), Calle 23 is an award winner in both the US and the UK.
Jaclyn Jacquez—President, Don Cuco Sotol…
The next hottest Mexican spirit to hit the market is not exactly tequila or mezcal. Don Cuco Sotol has been described as the best of both worlds.
Outside of its own Denomination of Origin in the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Durango and Coahuila, sotol has been a mystery for over 800 years.
Jacquez, the great-granddaughter of Don Cuco, trademarked the name in both Mexico and the US and then began exporting this sixth generation distillate into New Mexico, Texas, California, and New Zealand.
Bertha González Nieves—CEO, Casa Dragones tequila…
Along with co-founder and Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman, Bertha has managed to craft a highly sought after joven tequila, an often overlooked expression in the industry.
With a flavor profile that’s perfect for pairing with a myriad of cuisines, it has been praised by celebrity boss ladies Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey.
(For more with Bertha González Nieves click here and Casa Dragones, here.)
“…women need to be comfortable seeing themselves as qualified leaders and risk takers.”
Arianna Huffington
With these female front runners leading the charge for change, the Dalai Lama, CNN and Arianna Huffington might not be too far off the mark.
If you enjoyed this article, look for more articles, video, and interviews on women & tequila coming soon from Tequila Aficionado Media.
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