The idea of producing Australian agave spirits began when our daughter visited Mexico and fell in love with its spirits and culture. That trip inspired us to make use of the wild Agave americana that grows abundantly on our farm.
In our early days, back in 2017, we harvested with a crowbar, machete and shovel. We roasted small pieces of agave in an earthen oven, fermented them in plastic drums and distilled the spirit in a homemade still.
Some of our methods have changed over the years. We now roast our agaves in a pit, much like traditional Mexican mezcal production. Fermentation takes place in open-air wooden barrels using only wild, airborne yeast, and we now distil in a 300-litre copper pot still. Our distillery and home are completely off the grid. Harvesting is still hard, intensive work, although a tractor now helps us pull out the huge agaves.
Our range of agave spirits includes:
We're committed to making our production as sustainable as possible as we continue our journey of creating unique, paddock-to-bottle Australian agave spirits.
We hope you share this journey with us. Salud!
Mavis was born in Goondiwindi and raised on Toomelah Mission. In the early 1990’s Mavis gained a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts at Newcastle University and later a Certificate IV in both Workplace Assessment and in Aboriginal Art and Cultural Practices. She went on to teach at TAFE and with Corrective Services for over 11 years.
Mavis says that she wanted to learn more about her own culture and apply that learning to her artwork. She is still experimenting with patterns, colours and other mediums as her style continues to develop.
Mavis is still pursuing her artwork from her home in Kootingal NSW and says, “Art is a passion with endless possibilities.”
The Trees represent the Piliga Forest in the surrounding area and is Culturally Significant to the Kamilaroi peoples.
The dots of various sizes and colours represent the diverse landscapes hence, Rocky Outcrops, Mountain Range and Flat Plains of the area. Mount Kaputar is featured in the top right corner.
The smaller dots in the painting are the Kamilaroi and Newell Highways passing through the town.
The Blue flowing through the painting is the forked waterways of the Namoi River and the Narrabri Creek.
The small yellow circles represent the local flora around the area another important feature to the local peoples. The Blue/Grey smaller plants are the agave.
Abocado is a mezcal somewhat like pechuga in that it is distilled with fruit, usually as a third distillation. Unlike Pechuga there is no meat included. This is normally only for the consumption of the family. Again recipes may be kept within the family.
Añejo has been aged for at least a year.
Bacanora is produced in Sonora from one species of agave.
Copita are ceramic drinking bowls that may have been modelled on the Jicara.
Gusano is the worm or moth larvae that is sometimes added to the drink. Some consider it a gimmick but opinions vary. More often used in a salt between drinks.
Jicara was originally half a gourd that was used as a drinking vessel.
Joven is an unaged spirit that accounts for 95% of worldwide consumption.
Maguey is another name for agave.
Mezcal is an Agave spirit produced in a limited number of states. Mezcal can, technically, be made with any agave, but only about 30 species are commonly used. While the name is protected against use by others the term is often used to describe any agave spirit.
Pechuga is a special Mezcal that is usually triple distilled with fruit and mostly a chicken or turkey breast. It is for special occasions such as weddings, funerals or family gatherings. There are many variations in the recipes with details often not shared.
Piña is the heart of the agave and looks somewhat like a pineapple when trimmed for cooking.
Raicilla comes from the state of Jallisco and four agave species.
Reposado is a spirit that has been rested for between 2 and 12 months.
Tequila is produced from blue agave in a limited number of states. The name is protected.
Veladora were originally candle vases used in churches and have a cross in the bottom.
