The Sonoran heat fires my heart while THE PACIFIC waters of Mazatlan guide the flow of my mermaid spirit. my terroir is made up of a myriad of experiences WHILE growing up in a constant state of change and a gene pool COMPOSED of relentless characters and strong-willed individuals who never took no for an answer.
BRAND CONCEPT, DESIGN and development BY CECILIA RIOS MURRIETA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM SULLIVAN
I often nostalgically remember listening, in awe, to my grandfather retell the story of our family being descendants of legendary bandit, Joaquin Murrieta. I remember it fondly, feeling a deep sense of pride to have such a fiery spirit within me. Today, my mother recounts the stories of my grandfather’s travels across the Mexican territory selling the product of his lands in the Valle del Yaqui, Sonora, as we forge our own, driving across endless horizons of blue mountains, swamplands, arid deserts, and the authentic Mexican landscapes that the agaves have so effortlessly granted us. The same agaves that have given us a sense of purpose, a sense of identity, and a sense of fulfillment in what we now do.
I never thought mezcal and sharing my passion for Mexico would be the center of my existence, but as I’ve come to learn over the years, the best things in life happen unexpectedly and, above all, when you have patience. Today, 9 years after the first time I stepped foot in Oaxaca and after learning the value of patience, I look back on the experiences and joy that agave and mezcal have brought to my life. Sure, the journey sometimes was rocky and there were many instances when the thought of turning back seemed to overcome the desire to keep moving forward – but in the end, if I could sum up the biggest lesson in all of this it would be knowing when to stop, recharge, take another look at the map, and notice there are always alternate routes to get to where you’re meant to be.
ŌME is Mexican terroir.
It is the tale of one agave and two latitudes.
And that is how ŌME was born.
ŌME is an expression of regionality and tradition. Just as the places where we were born and the traditions of the people who raised us define us, agaves in Mexico are an expression of the diverse regions, micro-endemic climates, and the cultural richness of the families who have raised them for centuries.
ŌME is Mexican terroir. It is the tale of one agave that grows in two separate and completely different regions of Mexico. Two latitudes: from “Norte a Sur”, the Angustifolia varietal takes on the character and personality of the region in which it grows. The soil, climate, terrain, and traditional production processes of each region are all reflected in the unique characteristics and nuances captured within each expression.
And ultimately, ŌME is Mexican identity. It is a representation of two of our most recognized protected designations of origin: Bacanora and Mezcal. It is a celebration of everything that makes us great as Mexicans: diversity, ancient traditions, an innate sense of joy, friendship, and pride in everything we do. It is with ŌME that I intend to tell the story of my identity, my terroir. And I hope that with a single sip (or two, or more), everyone will know about my Mexican terroir.