There’s only one place in the entire world where you can get a true authentic tequila experience. Welcome to Jalisco, Mexico – not only the home to mariachi and tequila, two of Mexico’s most popular cultural icons; but also recently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Travel with tripatlas.com/new as we take you on board the Tequila Express along an interactive journey through Mexican culture and history. A fun day-trip for travellers, the train ride from Guadalajara to Hacienda San Jose del Refugio is the best way to experience tequila, Mexico’s national drink.
More on Mexico? Be sure to Discover the Colours of Mexico City or read up on Tips on How to Stay Safe and Have Fun in Mexico.
On Board the Tequila Express: Guadalajara to Hacienda San Jose del Refugio
The Tequila Express leaves the train station in Guadalajara every Saturday and Sunday at 11am, though it is advised to arrive 30 minutes earlier to buy tickets and get settled. A short 1 hour and 30 minute journey takes you to the town of Amatitan while you learn about the history and legacy of tequila production in Mexico.
The town and region of Amatitan is one of the original homes of tequila. It was first made in the 1500’s when Spanish colonials began to distill the Blue Agave plant, a similar process to one that they learned from the Aztecs.
Upon arriving in the town of Amatitan, you’ll hop on a bus to the Hacienda San Jose del Refugio, the home of Tequila Herradura – one of the world’s oldest tequila makers, established in 1870. Today, there are more than 70 tequila distilleries that produce over 500 brands.
Tequila begins with the blue agave, more formally named “Agave Azul Tequilana Weber,” and it only grows in the desert region of Amatitan Valley in Jalisco. Every real tequila product must contain at least 51% of the blue agave for it to be considered authentic.
In its original form, the blue agave plant takes 7 to 10 years to mature. Once it is fully mature, the cones of the blue agave are cooked in high-pressure cookers and crushed to produce Mosto, a sweet honey extract. Mosto is fermented for up to 7 days, at which point it is heated up until it evaporates, condenses and forms into a liquid: raw tequila. A second and third distilling process finish off the product before it is bottled or barreled for aging.
On the tour of Hacienda San Jose del Refugio, you’ll visit the steam ovens where the agave hearts are boiled, see the 19th century tequila distillery and the history of those who worked at the Hacienda in those times.
The tour of the Hacienda is followed by a Mexican hospitality: a buffet lunch complete with authentic Mexican dishes, Mexican folk dance, a “Suertes Charras” performance, mariachi music and dancing.
The tour is $90 CAD for adults and $50 CAD for children (5-12) while children under 5 are free. For more information on the Tequila Express, go to www.tequilaexpress.com.mx and for more on travelling to Mexico, go to www.visitmexico.com.
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