Join us for the Agave Heritage Festival!!
Tucson, Culinary Capital And City Of Gastronomy, Celebrates 250 Years...
Schedule of Events:
9:00 am - 6:00 pm: Agave Renaissance Summit
The 2025 Summit will be a day of action focused on bringing the vision of the City of Century plants to reality.
Tucson and Southern Arizona can be the Region of Century Plants: uniting communities across borders to foster agave sustainability, cultural heritage, and economic resilience for future generations.
Morning Sessions
Climate Smart Heritage Foods
Market Expansion of Bacanora into the US
Arts and Storytelling
Afternoon Sessions
Business, Branding, Sense of Place with Agave as the Anchor
Bat Friendly and Beyond, creating a label for agave sustainability in the borderlands
Open for topic established day of
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Agave Heritage Dinner
Continuing the culinary excellence of the Agave Heritage Festival, this extraordinary five-course dining experience brings together the region's finest flavors at Maynards Kitchen and Bottle Shop.
Led by Maynards' new Executive Chef, Roderick LeDesma, this thoughtfully crafted menu highlights the rich bounty of the Sonoran Desert, blending traditional ingredients with modern, innovative techniques. Each course is expertly paired with La Gritona Reposado Tequila-a distinguished, female- and family-owned distillery led by Melly Barajas-featuring both neat pours and artful cocktails that enhance the flavors of each dish.
This exclusive dining event is presented in collaboration with the Center for Regional Food Studies and the Southwest Center, celebrating the deep-rooted cultural and culinary heritage of the borderlands.
Join us for an unforgettable evening where food, tequila, and tradition come together in an immersive celebration of agave and regional gastronomy.
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9:00 pm: Bar Takeover - Hotel Congress Lobby Bar X Little Rituals
Step into an evening of innovative agave cocktails as Aaron DeFeo, owner of Little Rituals and founder of Tequila Fest (est. 2008), returns to Hotel Congress-where it all began. A Tucson native and James Beard Award semi-finalist, Aaron brings his signature creativity to this one-night-only bar takeover, featuring masterfully crafted cocktails with Cambio Tequila, Del Maguey, and Lost Explorer.
Don't miss this legendary homecoming, where bold flavors, agave artistry, and Tucson's rich cocktail culture take center stage.
Raise a glass to the roots of the Agave Heritage Festival and experience a night of boundary-pushing mixology in the heart of Tucson.
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Educational Tasting at Bar Crisol: Featuring NETA
Join us for an intimate Guided Tasting at Bar Crisol, featuring the exceptional mezcals of NETA. This exclusive event invites guests to explore the rich traditions and terroir-driven expressions of agave spirits from the southern valleys of Oaxaca.
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6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Guided Tasting at Tap and Bottle Downtown: Sip and Switch with Tequila Ocho
Join us at Tap and Bottle Downtown for an interactive tequila tasting. You'll start at a table with a small group and sip on tequila while discussing unique topics guided by a Tequila Ocho Ambassador. After a set amount of time, you'll switch tables, dive into a new tequila expression, and engage in fresh discussions with a new group. Whether you're a tequila aficionado or just starting your agave journey, this experience offers a perfect mix of education, connection and great spirits.
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7:30 pm - 8:30 pm: Guided Tasting at Tap and Bottle Downtown: Sip and Switch with Tequila Ocho
Join us at Tap and Bottle Downtown for an interactive tequila tasting. You'll start at a table with a small group and sip on tequila while discussing unique topics guided by a Tequila Ocho Ambassador. After a set amount of time, you'll switch tables, dive into a new tequila expression, and engage in fresh discussions with a new group. Whether you're a tequila aficionado or just starting your agave journey, this experience offers a perfect mix of education, connection and great spirits.
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6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Del Maguey Mezcal Tasting at Tough Luck Club
Join Nicolette Diodati for an immersive tasting experience celebrating Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal, the pioneering brand that coined the phrase "liquid art." Hand-crafted by individual Zapotec and Mixtec farmer-families, Del Maguey introduced the world to artisanal mezcal in 1995, showcasing the deep cultural heritage and distinct terroirs of Oaxaca and Puebla. Each expression embodies a "taste of place," shaped by the traditions of ancestral villages and the dedication of the mezcaleros who preserve these time-honored methods.
This guided tasting will feature four 1-ounce pours, each representing a different village and production style, allowing guests to explore the nuanced flavors, rich history, and signature sweet, smoky character that define Del Maguey's award-winning spirits.
To complement the mezcal, three thoughtfully paired small bites will be served, enhancing the depth and complexity of each pour:
Citrus and Cucumber Medley: Orange, grapefruit, cucumber, apple, arugula, olive oil, and chili-lime salt
Frico Bites: Ricotta, chili honey, Fresno chili, orange zest, and Maldon salt
Grilled Flatbread: Pulled pork, cilantro, and pickled red onion
This experience is more than a tasting-it's a deep dive into the artistry, heritage, and unparalleled craftsmanship that define Del Maguey. Whether you're a mezcal aficionado or new to the spirit, this event offers a rare opportunity to savor the stories, flavors, and traditions that make Del Maguey truly exceptional.
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6:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Guided Mezcal Tasting at Sonora Moonshine
Delve into the world of artisanal mezcal with an expert-led guided tasting featuring The Lost Explorer Mezcal, presented by Sonora Moonshine as part of the Agave Heritage Festival. This intimate experience will take you beyond the glass, exploring mezcal's deep cultural significance, traditional production techniques, and the nuances that make each expression unique.
Featured Expressions and Pairings:
Espadin - The most widely cultivated mezcal agave, known for its balance of smoke, fruit, and earth. Paired with citrus and sal de gusano to enhance its complexity.
Tobala - A wild, high-altitude agave, prized for its floral and herbal notes with a rich, velvety texture. Paired with dark chocolate and sea salt to complement its depth.
Salmiana - A lesser-known agave with bold minerality and bright vegetal notes, offering a crisp, vibrant profile. Paired with manzanilla olives to highlight its briny, green character.
Guided by a mezcal expert, guests will explore the ancestral and artisanal production methods that give mezcal its signature character-from underground pit roasting and slow fermentation to small-batch copper still distillation. Learn how regional factors such as altitude, soil composition, and agave species influence each sip, creating a tasting experience that is both educational and sensory-driven.
Your Ticket Includes:
A guided tasting of three premium mezcal expressions
Curated pairings designed to accentuate mezcal's diverse flavor profiles
In-depth insights into mezcal's history, production, and regional variations
With only 40 spots available, this exclusive tasting offers a rare opportunity to explore mezcal through an informed, hands-on experience in an intimate setting.
Secure Your Spot Today! Immerse yourself in the craft, culture, and complexity of mezcal-one sip at a time.
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12:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Book Signing Event: Tequila Wars: José Cuervo and the Bloody Struggle for the Spirit of Mexico
Join us for an exclusive book signing event with acclaimed author Ted Genoways as he presents his latest work, Tequila Wars: José Cuervo and the Bloody Struggle for the Spirit of Mexico. This gripping historical account uncovers the untold story of how tequila became a global icon, tracing the Cuervo family's rise amid fierce rivalries, political upheaval, and battles for control over Mexico's most celebrated spirit.
Genoways, an award-winning journalist and historian, is known for his compelling narratives that explore the intersections of history, industry, and power. His latest book offers a riveting dive into the world of tequila, revealing the clandestine deals, wartime survival tactics, and international trade disputes that shaped the industry as we know it today.
Meet the author, get your copy signed, and immerse yourself in the fascinating history of tequila at this special event during the Agave Heritage Festival. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with one of the leading voices in historical and cultural storytelling!
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Cambio Tequila Tasting at Tabu
Join us at Tabu for a guided tasting featuring Cambio Tequila, a standout in artisanal craftsmanship. Enjoy three one-ounce pours, each paired with thoughtfully crafted lite bites from the Tabu culinary team. Industry experts will walk you through the flavors, process, and heritage behind Cambio Tequila, all in the bold, modern atmosphere of one of Downtown Tucson's most exciting dining destinations.
Savor, sip, and celebrate the spirit of tequila in a way that's both refined and unforgettable. Limited seats available-reserve your place today!
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