If you are a lover of tequila and want to immerse yourself in the true taste, meaning, and culture behind those margaritas, it’s time to visit ‘La Ruta del Tequila’ meaning Tequila Trail in Spanish. La Ruta connects registered tequila distilleries in the ‘Pueblos Magicos,’ Spanish for Magical Towns, of Tequila, Arenal, and Amatitan near Guadalajara. Together they create 100% of the world’s tequila. Producing the spirit since the 16th century, traveling along La Ruta is a unique experience that takes you through the scenic landscape of blue agave fields to cobblestone villages where you can sip your way through the history of tequila.
A day trip to the distilleries in the Tequila Valley is a must when visiting Guadalajara. With over 150 registered distilleries along La Ruta, where do you begin? We’ve compiled ten stops that you can’t miss and where to find them. Create your own adventure and contact the distillery for tour information or view our tequila tour packages, many including round-trip transportation from Guadalajara, informative guides, admission, and more.
1. Mundo Cuervo: La Rojeña
Perhaps the most well-known name in tequila is Jose Cuervo. La Rojeña is Jose Cuervo’s flagship distillery and the oldest in Latin America. Located in the heart of Tequila’s central square, a tour not only gives you insight into the history of their tequila-making process but a tasting of their premium tequila, Reserva de la Familia. On weekends, the Cuervo Express offers a special tour experience and round-trip transportation from Guadalajara.
2. CASA SAUZA: LA PERSEVERANCIA
Just two blocks from Jose Cuervo is Casa Sauza. Here Sauza tequila is produced in La Perseverancia where it is bottled and exported to over 73 countries all over the world. Grab a hardhat and join one of their many guided tours for a lesson in modern tequila production where you can visit the factory and plant your own agave plant. For a new perspective of the landscape, take the VIP tour, which takes guests from Guadalajara on a helicopter to Casa Sauza, seeing the mountains and agave fields from above.
3. TEQUILA COFRADIA: LA COFRADIA
Best known for Casa Noble tequila, a boutique experience can be found at La Cofradia distillery. At the entrance of Tequila, a guided walking tour takes you through the traditional process and around the property including a ceramic factory where bottles are individually painted. Should you have one too many tastings, you can stay at their hotel, a collection of custom large tequila barrels.
4. ARETTE/TRES AGAVES: EL LLANO
At the foot of the Tequila Volcano is the Arette/Tres Agaves distillery, El Llano. Using the water from the volcano throughout production, El Lano specializes in small batches of its estate-made tequilas. Family-operated since 1900, meet one of the master distillers during a guided tour.
5. CASA HERRADURA
Taste Mexico’s best-selling tequila brand, El Jimador, at Casa Herradura. Spanning 256 acres, explore this authentic tequila-producing hacienda on a guided cart tour. Located in the nearby town of Amatitán, the original factory, home, and library are well-preserved and rich in history. Casa Herradura offers both walk-up tours and on weekends, tours aboard the Tequila Herradura Express from Guadalajara.
6. TRES MUJERES
Free of chemicals and yeast, Tres Mujeres introduced organically-produced tequila. With production in Amatitán, Tres Mujeres offers free distillery tours and a more intimate tasting experience
7. TEQUILAS DEL SEÑOR: DESTILERÍA RÍO DE PLATA
You don’t have to go far for an authentic Mexican tequila distillery experience. Producing tequila since 1957, the Tequilas Del Señor has been family-run for generations and is the oldest distillery in Guadalajara.
8. TEQUILA FORTALEZA: LA FORTALEZA
A family-owned hacienda and small distillery on top of a mountain in Tequila, La Fortaleza’s history includes exporting the first bottle of tequila to the U.S. and helping establish tequila as the national drink of Mexico. In 1997, the grandson of the founder of Casa Sauza restored La Fortaleza to what it is today.
9. TEQUILA ORENDAIN: LA MEXICANA
It may be lesser-known than Cuervo but the Orendain name is an important name for the tequila industry. While the brand has been around since 1926, La Mexicana opened in 2014. A distillery praised for its scenic views, La Mexicana offers a great experience for travelers on a budget, with tours including food and six hours of open bar.
10. TEQUILA DON ROBERTO: LA PURISIMA
La Purisima is Mexico’s largest distillery. Utilizing traditional style ovens to cook the agave and techniques passed down by family, Don Roberto Orendain founded the distillery. Located in Tequila, Don Roberto uses new high-tech equipment like autoclaves and diffusers to create a crisp taste.