Pour John Aguileraworking with agave is not just a job, it is a art. Chez Primary Agave Spiriteach plant is cultivated for seven years, harvested at the right time thanks to nature and sugar measuring tools. With brick ovens, a double distillation and aging in French oak barrels, The Patriarch embodies Mexican tradition and excellence. A tequila that tells a family story and unique know-how.
Present on Wine Paris, Juan Aguilera presented his tequilas and offered visitors an experience in a lively Mexican atmosphere.
Parisian Posters: Tequila is made from agave, but what is the particular technique used to produce it?
For us, the production of agave-based spirits, and in particular El Patriarca tequila, begins from the plantation. We take care of the agave for seven years in order to obtain a plant rich in sugar, a sugar comparable to that of grapes. With quality raw material, we can produce excellent tequila.
We use brick ovens: it is a slow process that allows the piñas to develop their best flavors. They are then crushed, then distilled twice in copper and steel stills. To produce excellent añejo, reposado and blanco, we select the best agave for blanco. For reposado and añejo, we use imported French oak barrels — some having served in California — to ensure aging for six months to a year. The secret therefore lies in using the best agaves and the best French oak barrels for the añejo and reposado.
How much agave does it take to make a liter of tequila?
In a traditional process, it takes around six kilos of agave to produce one liter of tequila.
When you talk about the “best agave,” what exactly is it? Do you produce it yourself?
Yes, we are agave producers. A good agave is above all an agave that we know how to harvest at the right time. For example, we use tools that measure the sugar content of the plant. We thus identify the richest agaves and select the best for production.
We also let nature dictate the time of harvest. This moment corresponds to the appearance of a flower in the center of the agave: this is the signal that the plant is ready. We therefore respect the natural rhythm to choose the best agaves.
Is there organic agave?
Yes, there is organic agave. However, you must be very vigilant and follow the entire process from the moment you purchase the agave. The soil should not contain any chemical residues from other crops, such as corn. Certain certifications today guarantee the organic nature of the product.
Do you offer organic tequila?
We do not yet have official certification, but our process is organic. We simply have not yet found an organization in Europe capable of certifying all of our production.
You have won many medals. Where did you get them?
We have received accolades at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Agave Awards, Wine Enthusiast and the Berlin Spirits Competition. These medals are very important to us, as they are awarded during blind tastings. Jurors from all over the world taste the tequilas without knowing the brand, which guarantees an objective evaluation.
What do you expect from the wine exhibition in Paris?
Our goal is to show the world that tequila is growing in popularity in Europe and that palates are becoming accustomed to it, especially as wine culture grows. Today, consumers know how to distinguish good tequila from less good ones and are more interested in the manufacturing process and tasting.
We also want to find an excellent distributor and meet restaurateurs to introduce them to our tequila and how to enjoy and share it.
How did you come up with the name “El Patriarca”? What is its story?
This name dates back to my great-grandfather, who owned a distillery where Don Julio González and Don Carlos González, of Tierra Don Julio, worked as children. For us, patriarch means transmitting and sharing knowledge. The word evokes the idea of guiding and passing on one’s knowledge to subsequent generations.
Today, it is a family business, led in particular by Celina and Juan Pablo. They pass on their know-how to us in the making of great tequilas. “Patriarcha” is above all the idea of sharing with others.
date:2026-02-14 07:12:00
Related reading