THE AGAVE LANDSCAPE AND THE ANCIENT TEQUILA

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES

a Mexican Cultural Landscape proposal

Ignacio Gómez Arriola / Dr. Francisco Javier López Morales

National Institute of Anthropology and History

Introduction: The Mexican Indicative List
for UNESCO
Our country is currently promoting
the acknowledgment of new sites
that involve a novel way of
conceiving and appreciating the
fundamental testimonial that
Mexico has contributed to world
culture. The 23 selected sites
group a set of cultural and natural
assets with the likelihood of being
included on UNESCO’s World
Heritage List.
The Indicative List incorporates
patrimonial categories that
are not over-represented such
as sites holding both, cultural
and natural value, cultural
landscapes, the industrial
patrimony, heritage from the
XX century and cultural
itineraries.
Among the selected sites, we have Chapultepec castle, the
prehispanic city of Mitla, the Church of Santa Prisca in Taxco,
the Ahuehuete tree in Santa María del Tule, the House of Luis
Barragán and the studio of Diego Rivera, Father Tembleque’s
aqueduct, and Ciudad Universitaria in Mexico City.
THE AGAVE LANDSCAPE AND THE ANCIENT TEQUILA
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES
a Mexican Cultural Landscape proposal
From year 2001, the World Heritage Management and the Jalisco
Center at the INAH, National Institute of Anthropology and History,
have evaluated the potential in the region of the volcano in Tequila,
in order to look for its integration to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
The proposal for
the Tequila region

There are many values

that maintain a
cultural continuity in
the mezcal
plantations. They also
have their background
deep in the
prehispanic period.
The possibility of recognizing the
cultural values in a region involving
not only emblematic buildings or
urban sets, but also the transformed
landscape and the industrial
patrimony generated by its
exploitation is explored for the first
time in Mexico
Cultural manifestations that can be recognized in the
patrimonial category of Cultural Landscape have been
developed in the area of Tequila valley.
According to the
definition of the World
Heritage Committee,
Cultural Landscapes are
constituted by the
combined work of nature
and the human being
and express a long and
intimate relationship
between people and
their natural surrounding.
The World Heritage Committee
recognizes three categories for the
identification of a cultural
landscape:

•A landscape designed and

created intentionally by people.

•A landscape organically involved

with a society.

•An Associative cultural landscape.

The Tequila region can be included in the second established
category by the World Heritage Committee corresponding to the
Landscape organically involved with a society. This is because it
“continues to maintain an active role in contemporary society,
very closely linked with the forms of traditional life and where the
evolution process is still in progress”.
The cultural values present in the
region of the volcano in Tequila
The region has maintained a cultural
continuity, originated in the prehispanic
period. Tangible and intangible
manifestations involving the landscape, the
architecture and ancient traditions have
been developed.
THE PREHISPANIC ROOT
Long before the arrival of the Spanish, the different species of
the “Metl” or indigenous agave were already used for
different purposes in the region of the volcano in Tequila, as
well as all throughout Mesoamerica.
In the west of the
prehispanical Mexico,
two types of alcoholic
beverages were
prepared from the
derivates of the agave:
the “octli” or pulque
obtained from the
fermented juices of
some species and the
“mexcalli” or mezcal,
prepared from the
fermentation of the juice
obtained from the
cooked agave cores.
 The culture of the builders of
“Guachimontones” maintained some
kind of commercial monopoly with the
exploitation of the “mexcalli” obtained
from the blue agave variety.
The variety called Blue Agave Tequilana Weber is only found in the
region, and its origin has been established in the gorge of Rio
Grande de Santiago. It had to undergo a millenary process of
domestication for its exploitation, and this process defined its
particular characteristics.
Plants of this variety cannot be found in the wild.
The most relevant use was as
a sugar source. It was
produced through the
cooking or burning of the
“piña” the core of the plant.
The burning was carried out
in circular holes or ovens,
similar to those used during
the colonial period.
 The production methods were perfected with
the centuries, creating an agricultural culture of
prehispanic origin that still survives on the fields
in the region.
The selection and
planting of “hijuelos”,
the “barbeo” or
cutting off the tips of
the agave plants, the
“jima” or harvest are
some of the elements
that belong to the
ancestral tradition
and that are still
alive.
THE EUROPEAN
ROOTS.
The Spanish began
introducing the techniques
and common processes to
the production of goods in
Europe.
Among the technology
introduced into the New Spain
we have the distillation, Arab
in origin, and the alcohol
production from sugar cane
or agave.
ADAPTATION OF THE EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL
METHODS
From the regional adaptation of the European procedures of
intensive agricultural exploitation during the XVI century, the people
in the Tequila valley began modifying their surrounding and the
original flora in order to adapt them to the production of the blue
mezcal.
During the XVII Century, the intensive production of the blue mezcal
began consolidating. With the transformation of big extensions of
rough lands for the cultivation of this species, a particular identity
was given to the region, defined by undulating lines that adapt
themselves to the irregular topography.
The primitive production
process of the “mezcal wine”

The ovens
The first step in the production was the
“tatemado” or burning of the mezcal
cores or “piñas” in conelike holes or
ovens made of stone, similar to those
used in the prehispanic period.
The Tahona
For the extraction of
the “mosto,” must or
cooked mezcal juice,
the “tahona” or
Chilean mill was
incorporated. Its
stone was moved by
animal traction.
The fermentation
The sweet must was fermented to produce alcohol in underground
stone deposits or containers for several days. The containers later
were substituted by “pipones” made out of oak wood.
The distillation
In the 1600´s, the distillation process, of Arab origin, was
introduced to the region to produce Mezcal Wine, but this name
was later changed to be that of its place of origin, Tequila. The
process was based on the experiences brought from the Antilles
to produce Rum from sugar cane.
THE FIRST “TABERNAS”
At the end of the XVII Century, the
first “Taberna” or formal distillery
was established in the Hacienda of
Cuisillos to produce “Mezcal Wine”
and the first blue mezcal intensive
plantations.
 During the Spanish domination period, tequila production was
restricted and even prosecuted. Due to their prohibition by the
viceroy, at the beginning the “tabernas” were located in isolated
places as the gorges or the gulches. Only in a few properties, basic
facilities for the production of the mezcal wine could be established.
 THE TEQUILA-
PRODUCING
“HACIENDAS”
At the end of the XVIII
Century, the “Taberna” was
incorporated to the facilities
of the properties in the region
of the volcano in Tequila.
 THE TEQUILA-PRODUCING
“HACIENDAS”
During the XIX Century, the port
of San Blas became important
as an exporting point for the
mezcal-wine, leading to a
meaningful increase in
demand and growth of the
properties in the region.
 The increase in the
production promoted the
expansion of the
cultivated fields in the
area and the nineteenth
century summit of the
Tequila-producing
properties.
The agave landscape in 1887
THE INCORPORATION
OF NEW TECHNOLOGY
Due to the increase in
demand during the XIX
Century, more efficient
fermentation, burning and
distillation processes were
introduced in the
“tabernas”.
 The change from the hole ovens
in which the mezcal was burnt
with wood, to the rubblework
ovens that used water vapor for
cooking differentiated the mezcal
wine manufactured in Tequila
from other similar types.
THE FIRST
INDUSTRIAL
FACILITIES
Because of the fact
that water was
needed in the
manufacturing
process of the mezcal
wine, at the beginning
of the XIX Century the
first industrial facilities
were established by
the Tequila river,
which limited the town
holding the same
name.
TIPOLOGIAIn these industrial
ARQUITECTONICA: los Alambiques
facilities, which have an
urban character, the
traditional process
typology is still
maintained.
The production of Tequila at the end of the
XIX Century
THE INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES IN THE
REGION
During the XX Century, the industrial facilities
for the manufacturing of tequila were
concentrated in Tequila, Amatitán and
Arenal. There, the production processes were
actualized incorporating the mechanical
grinding of the cooked mezcal and
transportation bands.
Cultural values present in the region,
considered for the writing of the proposal
according to UNESCO’s World Heritage
Convention guidelines.
II Criterion)
To be the manifestation of a
considerable exchange of
human values during a given
period of time or in a
specific cultural area, in the
development of
architecture, monumental
arts, urban planning or
landscape design.
Example of the exchange
of human values

Tequila production has

witnessed the fructiferous
influence exchange among two
cultures from the first years of
the New Spain, which in a
crossbreeding process between
the prehispanic tradition of
cooking and fermenting the
mezcal juices and the European
technique of distillation,
originate a new original product
recognized all over the world for
its value
The exchange of human
values in the
development of
architecture
The artistic trends of European
origin were introduced in the
tequila manufacturing facilities,
producing a short, but
meaningful catalog, of the
evolution of the architectonical
styles.
The exchange of human
values in the development
of landscape design.
The Agave Landscape is
the result of centuries of
human work through the
incorporation of
prehispanic and European
techniques.
IV Criterion)
To be an outstanding example
of a type of building,
architectonic or technological
layout, or a landscape which
illustrates a meaningful period
or periods of time in human
history.
The ancient tabernas or tequila distilleries and the resulting
landscape from the cultivation of the blue agave constitute
an extraordinary example that illustrates, through its
continuous evolution during several centuries, a meaningful
side of the cultural development process of humankind.
Tequila production has
generated a variant of
industrial facility that
has produced a
typology, defined
during the XVIII
Century, which has
reproduced itself, with
adaptations from the
new technology but
respecting the essence
of the traditional
process, to our day.
THE CONSTANTS OF THIS TYPOLOGY
The main doors to the facilities, the offices, the inside courts, the cooking
area, the grinding or mill, the tequila fermentation, distillation and aging
areas, constitute a repeated constant in these industrial architecture
buildings that express the integration to the ruling architectonical styles
during the period in which they were built.
V Criterion)
To build an outstanding example
of a habitat, traditional human
establishment or a particular use
of the ground, that is
representative to one or several
cultures, particularly if it has
become vulnerable because of
irreversible changes.
 The agave landscape and the
ancient tequila manufacturing
industrial facilities are the result of
many centuries refining the
processes for the production of the
beverage.
They represent as a whole, an extraordinary example of
adaptation and an ordered use of the natural environment.
Due to the recent demand that tequila has in many regions
of the world and to the resulting economical globalization
process, and if the right measures are not taken, it could be
vulnerable to a transformation process that would modify its
essence and characteristics.

•Destruction
of Huitzilapa
archeological
site

Demolition of a patrimonial
property in Tequila

Deterioration of the
traditional urban image
VI Criterion)
To be directly or tangibly
associated with happenings or live
traditions, with ideas or beliefs, or
with artistic or literary works with an
exceptional universal meaning.
 The agave landscape
and the ancient tequila
manufacturing industrial
facilities are associated
with many cultural
manifestations that
define, in and out of the
country, what is
“Mexican”.

The traditions related to

the manufacturing and
consumption of this
alcoholic beverage
have a remote origin
but are kept alive,
current and in constant
expansion in the whole
world.
 Literary work, films, music,
paintings, dance shows and other
very important cultural
manifestations are associated to
the tequila, to its production and
to its traditional region.
 Authenticity
Assurance
The whole production process
must follow traditional
procedures and techniques.
This is warranted through the
denomination of origin for this
product and by the Official
Mexican Norm (NOM- 006-
SCFI-1994)
 The assurance of the
beverage authenticity
among other legal
instruments, will allow
the survival of the agave
landscape and its
facilities.
In order to support the proposal it is necessary to carry out several
actions that will promote the conservation and the equilibrated and
sustained use of the elements that need to be preserved through the
Declaratory:
The archaeological sites

Compliance with the traditional

production system

The areas with agave

landscape

The traditional architectural sets

The ancient tequila
manufacturing facilities
Work to be developed
For the technical and legal support of the submission the following
actions are needed in the region:

•Delimitation, inventory and catalog of the

archaeological sites and locations with a built
patrimony.
•Historical studies.
•Diagnose and proposal of sites with a cultural and
natural value.
•Rules that state the way the archaeological and built
patrimony is going to be protected in the municipalities
involved.
•Urban and regional development plans in the
municipalities involved.
•Plans to negotiate the preservation and enlargement of
the agave landscape.
•Cooperation agreements with the involved entities.
•Communication campaigns in the communities.
•Other.
The participation of authorities and society
Previous work to the completion of the final submission can
only be carried out with the participation of the authorities and
the civil society interested in the conservation of this important
patrimony:
•Federal Authorities: INAH, SecTur, SARH, SEDESOL.
•State Authorities: Executive, Ministry of Culture,
SetuJal, SEDEUR, SEDER.
•Municipal Authorities: Town councils of Tequila,
Magdalena, Arenal, Amatitan, Teuchitlán, Tala,
Ahualulco, A. Escobedo and Etzatlán
•Productive organizations: Agave producers,
Tequila producers, Industrials, etc.
•Civil Society: ICOMOS, Universities, Research
Centers, local Organizations, etc.
•The community in the area
 Application
area of the
possible
Declaratory
The declaratory would
include on its
patrimony protection
section, the
archaeological ruins,
the architectural sites
related to the
manufacturing
process of the tequila
and the regions with
traditional agave
landscape.
 Tequila

Application area
for the possible
Declaratory
 PROTECTION
TO THE AGAVE
LANDSCAPE
Hostotipaquillo Protection and promotion
of the fields traditionally
Tequila planted with the blue
Magdalena mezcal. The majority of the
Etzatlán fields are located in
Volcán de Arenal, Amatitán, Tequila
Amatitán
Tequila
and Magdalena. On the
A. Escobedo Arenal slope of the Tequila
volcano skirts and on the
Teuchitlán Rio Grande de Santiago
Ahualulco Tala
gorge.
 PROTECTION TO
ARCHAEOLOGY

Protection to the
archaeological ruins
Hostotipaquillo related to the agave
Tequila culture in the region of the
volcano in Tequila.
There are many
Magdalena
Etzatlán
prehispanic sites of the
Volcán de
Amatitán denominated “Teuchitlán
Tequila tradition.” They are
A. Escobedo
Arenal characterized by the
“Guachimontones,” which
are currently threatened
Teuchitlán
Ahualulco Tala by the excessive planting
of the blue agave.
 PROTECTION TO
ARCHITECTURE
Protection to the
remainings of the
architectural elements
Hostotipaquillo related to the production
Tequila of the blue mezcal and to
Magdalena the manufacturing of
Etzatlán Tequila in its originating
Volcan de Amatitán
region.
Tequila
There are around 200
Arenal
A. Escobedo properties and traditional
industrial facilities
Teuchitlán distributed in nine
Ahualulco Tala
municipalities.
Opportunity and viability of the proposal
The opportunities for the inscription of a Mexican site are
becoming more limited every time because there is an over-
representation in some categories. Only the patrimonial categories
with less examples in the world context will have some opportunity.
That is the case of the “Cultural Landscapes,” as the one proposed
 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF
ANTHROPOLOGY AND HISTORY

Mtro. Sergio Raúl Arroyo García

General Director
Dr. Francisco J. López Morales
Director, World Heritage
Lic. Edgardo García Carrillo
National Coordinator, INAH Centers
Arq. Carlos Xavier Massimi Malo
Director, INAH Center, Jalisco

Arq. Ignacio Gómez Arriola

Research and general
photography.

Guadalajara, Jalisco, autumn 2003