Nestled between the heart of Oaxaca's mezcal traditions and the heart of a pristine ranch in Durango, "Origen Raíz del Espíritu" emerges as a project that deeply integrates cultural heritage with a genuine commitment to sustainability and environmental respect.

Our story begins in 2012-2013, a period in which demand for mezcal skyrocketed, leading to an alarming increase in monoculture and overexploitation of maguey. This situation not only threatened our fields, but also the communities that depend on them.

Don Valentín Cortés, an iconic mezcal figure, traveled to Australia in 2014 and shared his concerns about the increasing exploitation of natural resources and mezcal culture with Bildo Saravia, importer and representative of the Cortés family brands in the Australian market. Bildo, a passionate environmentalist with experience in sustainable livestock management, was deeply moved by the conversation. Upon returning to his home country, Bildo invited Don Valentín to Durango, where he shared his vision of a project that could unite the rich mezcal tradition with ecologically responsible practices at Rancho El Ojo.

Thus was born "Origen Raíz del Espíritu," a brand dedicated not only to producing high-quality mezcal but also to protecting and revitalizing the natural environment. From the beginning, we implemented a sustainable approach: we harvest only 10% of the mature magueys each year, allowing the remaining 90% to thrive and support local wildlife, such as bats, birds, and other animals, which are essential for pollination and ecosystem balance.

This project is a collaboration between the Saravia and Cortés families, uniting sustainable ranch management in Durango with the rich Zapotec mezcal tradition of Santiago Matatlán. The Saravia family manages the ranch with appropriate practices to regenerate pastures and enrich the soil, while the Cortés family continues their family's mezcal tradition, which dates back six generations. Together, we respect every element of the ecosystem, ensuring that our production methods are as sustainable as they are traditional.

In 2018, the Origen Raíz del Espíritu family grew with the arrival of the family of Don Gilberto Angulo Torres, who in 1975, in El Platanar, Durango, began producing mezcal with his family.

"El platanar" community is located in the municipality of Topia, Durango. This region is known as "Las Quebradas" and is known for its beautiful landscapes filled with waterfalls, mountains, and flora and fauna unlike any other region. It is a hidden wonder in the Durango mountains.

Don Gilberto began his mezcal production with manso and chacaleño agaves. The latter is a tropical maguey endemic to the region and characterized by the diversity of its notes and aromas. Thus, Don Gilberto created his own Vinata and named it "Vinata Rancho Grande." After a long period of discontinuation due to lack of demand, in 2016, his son, Carlos Angulo Ríos, resumed production and joined the Origen Raíz del Espíritu family to demonstrate that with every drop of this very special mezcal, there are months of hard work, wisdom, family unity, and, above all, hope for Don Carlos's family, El Platanar, and all those whose efforts are part of a chain in which they are rewarded with economic sustenance, stability, growth, and a future for future generations.

"Origen Raíz del Espíritu" is more than a mezcal brand; it's a movement toward sustainability and respect for our cultural roots. Each bottle represents our commitment to the life that flourishes in the fields of Oaxaca and Durango. By choosing our mezcal, you not only enjoy a product of exceptional quality, but you also support a project dedicated to protecting the environment and preserving
our ancestral traditions.