Our Tequila

Growing up in the small town of San Isidro in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, Juan Escalante is very familiar with the generous and hospitable characteristics of his hometown. After moving to rural Walla Walla County in eastern Washington state in the mid-1970′s, Escalante took a job working in agriculture management.  It was in this position that he met his longtime friend Dr. Rob Thornton, a crop scientist.  Over the years, Thornton frequently accompanied Escalante and his family to Mexico, enjoying the friendliness and authenticity of Escalante’s native hometown.  Wishing to give back to the local residents who struggle daily to make living wages, the two friends  purchased 90 acres of fertile red soil in the highlands of Jalisco and hired locals to help plant and farm blue agave.  In time they partnered with other native growers to provide even more jobs and produce exceptional tequila from the harvested agave. The partnership resulted in the construction and opening of Integradora San Agustin distillery in 2007 where Escalante and Thornton produce their artisan-crafted tequila, El Tesoro de Mi Tierra (TMT).   To date, the partner agave fields, distillery, and sales efforts in Mexico employ well over 100 residents of the small towns of San Isidro and neighboring San Agustin.  The two towns combined have a total population of less than 1,500.  Formerly sold only in Mexico, Escalante and his brother, Manuel, formed Escalante Spirits LLC in 2010 to share the “treasure of their land” with tequila fans in the USA.  TMT Tequila is grown, distilled and bottled in the world’s premier blue agave growing region of Jalisco, Mexico.  The distillery is located approximately five miles from Carretera Tepa – Tototlan, in the town of San Agustin.

El Tesoro de Mi Tierra (TMT) Tequila: OUR PROCESS

Unlike many tequila producers, TMT is a boutique producer. We are hands-on throughout the entire production process from the first planting of agave, to harvest, to fermentation, to distillation and finally the finished bottle of tequila. We own and operate our agave fields, and also partner with 45 additional small farmers in the ownership and operation of our co-op distillery, Integradora San Agustin.

First, we grow…

Our dedication to producing only high quality tequila begins in our agave fields. Our two founders have over 60 years of combined experience in agricultural management and crop science, so we know a lot about growing high quality crops! Before we ventured into tequila production, we first hand selected the agave growing sites by analyzing the soil and evaluating topography, elevation, climate, and sun exposure to determine optimum conditions for growing agave.

The raw material used to make all TMT tequilas is Weber’s blue agave (agave tequilana Weber azul).

Next, we harvest…

The process of making tequila begins with the harvesting of mature agave by our skilled jimadors. Agaves are selected at their peak of ripeness when their sugar content is at its highest.

Then we produce…

All TMT Tequila production is certified 100% organic and is produced using a traditional production process.  Only agave and water are used to craft our tequilas — no additives are used!  While we are committed to using traditional practices and keeping production 100% organic and natural, our state-of-the-art gravity flow distillery is also modern and energy efficient.What's something exciting your business offers? Say it hereWhat's something exciting your business offers? Say it hereWhat's something exciting your business offers? Say it here

El Tesoro de Mi Tierra literally means “The Treasure of My Land” and what a treasure it is. Artisan-grown and crafted, El Tesoro de Mi Tierra (or TMT for short) tequila is made from 100% blue agave grown in the legendary highlands of Jalisco, Mexico.  Using a completely natural process with absolutely zero additives, our tequila undergoes a slow and natural fermentation and distillation process which produces authentically pure and distinctively flavored ultra premium tequilas.

TMT’s dedication to quality and craftsmanship is represented in every aspect of the product; from the agave fields, to our state-of-the-art gravity flow distillery, to our special bottle – each one handcrafted in Mexico to be as unique as the tequila it holds.