Tequila That's Good for Everyone
By Frank Moraga July 2, 2009 Amigos805.comDr. Adolfo Murillo is a man with a new vision of the future. The Ventura County optometrist is seeking to spread the word about the benefits of organic farming protecting farm workers, consumers and the environment while giving devotees of fine tequila the opportunity of treating themselves at the end of a hard day at work.For the past 16 years, Murillo has labored to create an organic agave farm on the family property in Agua Negra in Jalisco, Mexico. Those efforts came to fruition recently when his Tequila Alquimia received Organic Certification from the USDA.We are really excited about that, Murillo said. It will definitely be a big help as far as our marketing and opening up for us the health and environmental consumer segment of the marketplace.This hasnt been an overnight success for Tequila Alquimia (pronounced al-kee-myah).Its a very long and expensive process, but we saw the need, Murillo said. We had to fly the inspector down to the ranch to inspect the fields and the factory. But a lot of folks are conscious about health issues and do know to look for the USDA seal for the products they buy. We have now come full circle.The story of Tequila Alquimia began nearly two decades ago and Murillo shares the information with excitement and pride in his voice and the knowledge that this is the right thing to do.Weve been doing organics since day one, since we took over the family ranch 16 years ago, he said. One of the reasons for doing organics is that we wanted to do something productive with the ranch and if we did well, we could spread the word and teach organics to local growers, help them improve the soil and productivity and especially help the small growers to survive.Growing organics helps on so many levels, said Murillo, who has a degree in biological sciences.Traditionally, growing agave and making tequila is chemically intensive, he said. They use toxic pesticides and there is little protection for the workers.Those chemicals eventually reach the consumers in the products and also the general public through pollution of the ground water, he said.Murillo first started growing the organic blue agave for other tequila makers.It got to the point where it was too good to sell, so we decided to create our own tequila and form our own brand, he said. Proof of the success of the product can be found in the numerous awards Tequila Alquimia has received. Its Alquimia Anejo (aged in oak barrels for up to three years) recently won the Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for the second consecutive year. Its Alquimia Blanco won the Chicago Beverage Institutes International Review of Spirits Gold Medal for 2008.We are in the No. 1 spot on GQ Magazines men.style.com Hotlist for best tequilas, and the top Editors Pick, he said.The tequila can be found in retail locations from San Diego to San Francisco.As word has spread about Tequila Alquimias quality and commercial success, interest has come from other growers in Mexico. We started teaching the growers in the immediate area and then some of the larger growers heard about what we were doing and we started doing some training for them, he said.Word has quickly spread and now Murillo has traveled to Michoacan to teach avocado growers about organics, as well as strawberry growers in Guanajuato, and growers of chilies, garlic and other crops in other Mexican states.Murillo is a firm believer of the concept of paying it forward.We do it all on a volunteer basis, but we do it with an understanding that they will then teach others, he said. This is the only way to make a greater impact.Tequila Alquimia has also made an impact locally, sponsoring a number of local events including the recent Rebozo Festival in Camarillo and fundraisers for the local Boys & Girls clubs.The folks here in Ventura County have been wonderful, he said. Thats what makes things so worth it. We want to use our tequila for the benefit of the community.For more information about Tequila Alquimia, visit www.tequilaalquimia.com. You can also follow Tequila Alquimia on Twitter and Facebook.
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