[Editor’s Note: All photos and videos are by Tequila Jockey, David Dinius, Special Correspondent to Tequila Aficionado Media at the Mammoth Margarita Festival. Thanks also to Michelle Dinius and David Decker.]
For Love and Fun
[Tweet “One of the more beloved #agavespirits events is @MargFest1 in Mammoth Lakes, CA.”]
One of the more beloved and popular tequila and mezcal events these days occurs in the Village of Mammoth in Mammoth Lakes, CA.
The Mammoth Margarita Festival, celebrated its sixth year in 2017. It is the brainchild of Russ Squire and Michael Ledesma, owners of Gomez Restaurant and Tequileria, reputed to have one of the largest selections of tequila and mezcal in North America with over 500 bottles.
Not your average agave spirits tasting event, the two-day Mammoth Margarita Festival commits to raising money for Disabled Sports and the local non-profit American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO).
As Russ puts it, “…It is a feel good thing for love of what we do and fun….”
By all accounts, love and fun are exhibited by everyone, from the customers to the participating brands and their representatives.
What follows are interviews, sights and sounds reported by Special Correspondent and Tequila Jockey, David Dinius from the Mammoth Margarita Festival.
Doug French of Scorpion Mezcal
“My first interview at the Mammoth Margarita Festival 2017 and it was with the one and only Doug French of Scorpion Mezcal.”
Del Maguey Mezcal
“My second interview at the Mammoth Margarita Festival 2017 and it was with Alfredo Gama of distributor, Wine Warehouse for Del Maguey Mezcal.”
Alex Chaigne for Banhez Mezcal
El Silencio Mezcal
“My fourth interview at the Mammoth Margarita Festival 2017 and it was with Natalia Garcia Bourke of El Silencio Mezcal.”
Cazcanes Tequila
“This brand is not in the states yet, but these guys tell me it should be in about 2 months. When it does, get a bottle or two. You will not regret it! This is one good juice.”
Campo Azul
“Here I talk with Dean Berger from Pacific Edge Wine and Spirits about Campo Azul Tequila.”
Alma De Agave Tequila
“Nene Gonzalez tells me about Alma De Agave Tequila and gives a little history of the Mammoth Margarita Festival.”
Fortaleza Tequila
“The charming Alfredo Gama reappears in the next couple of frames. Here, he tells me about Fortaleza Tequila.”
Arette Tequila
Patron Barrel Selects
“Here I talk with Mike McGinnis from Patron about a couple of Barrel Selects they had at the festival.”
T1 Tequila Uno
“I let Jim Friedrichs tell us about T1 tequila.”
Siete Leguas
“Talk to Mark Fania about Siete Leguas.”
Maestro Dobel Tequila
“We end up totally catching Andrea Kelley off guard and have her tell us about Maestro Dobel Tequila.”
Tres Agave Tequila
“Mike Kelly talks to us about Tres Agave Tequila and bar mixes.”
Sin Rival
“I talk with Rodolfo Gonzalez about Sin Rival and he mentions a couple of others at the distillery. And of course he has to get a shout out to Mike Morales!”
Mammoth Margarita Festival Wrap Up
“Here was the wrap-up at 2017’s Mammoth Margarita Festival. I talk with Michael Ledesma and Russ Squire from Gomez’s about the festival.”
“This was such a fun event to take part of. Thank you to all involved. These two put on a wonderful event and I am grateful for them helping me out this weekend.”
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In order to be called tequila, this spirit distilled from the juices blue agave must be made in specific regions of Mexico, most prominently Jalisco and the town of tequila. While no tequilas are produced in the United States, we want to find the best craft tequila brands available in the country, and to do so, we asked a pair of tequila experts to nominate their favorites. Unlike other spirits, tequila brands often share distilleries – there are about 70 of them producing more than 500 brands – so it’s often the brand rather than the distillery that indicates quality. Many of these 20 nominees for best craft tequila brand use traditional methods. Many of the brand owners grow their own agave and personally oversee the entire tequila-making process. All produce high-quality, distinctive tequilas available in the U.S. market. Vote for your favorite once per day until voting ends on Monday, September 12 at noon ET. Read the official Readers’ Choice rules 
