Don Mateo de la Sierra

Emilio Vieyra and his father own and operate Mezcal Don Mateo de la Sierra. Don Mateo was Emilio’s great grandfather. He migrated from Guanajuato to Michoacán in 1840, and began producing mezcal. Given that Don Emilio represents his family’s fifth generation of maestro vinatero (in Oaxaca referred to as palenquero), what better ambassador of the spirit of Michoacán. Although 80% of the mezcal Don Emilio produces is made with wild agave, the family does cultivate its own maguey on the rolling hills below the vinata. Coming from Michoacan gives their mezcals a very different character and taste from those made in Oaxaca. They also are known for using unique agave that are not seen in mezcal from Oaxaca.

Learn more about Don Mateo de la Sierra:

• Family First on the K&L Wines Spirits Journal blog