The Other Miahuatlán

Three Days in the Mezcal Landscape - November 13th-15th 2026

Discount available for industry professionals
One full trip-fee scholarship available

You will spend three days immersed in the mezcal, maguey, and landscapes of some of the lesser-known regions of Miahuatlán: the border region of Southern Ejutla and Western Miahuatlán, the Altos Valles and ranchos of El Palmar, and Eastern Mengolí.

Rather than treating Miahuatlán as a single mezcal-producing region, this trip explores it as a mosaic of distinct landscapes, traditions, agaves, and flavors. We will focus on the endemic species and regional varietals of agave found in each area and try to understand the particular organoleptic profiles that distinguish the mezcales produced there.

Along the way, we will visit producers in their homes, palenques, and ranchos and learn about different types of stills, approaches to distillation, cuts and adjustments, fermentation methods, and other regional production traditions.

Above all, we will try to understand the relationship between place, plant, process, and flavor—how agave, fermentation, water, production techniques, distillation, and landscape come together to influence what ultimately ends up in the glass.

This is not simply a tour of mezcal producers. It is an opportunity to travel through the mezcal landscape of Miahuatlán, taste its regional differences, and learn directly from the people who continue to shape its traditions.

Day 1 — Southern Ejutla & Western Miahuatlán - Friday november 13th - Hotel

Depart Oaxaca around 8:00 AM and travel south to explore the border region between Southern Ejutla and Western Miahuatlán, with visits around Yogana, San Nicolás Miahuatlán, and San Guillermo Miahuatlán.

Throughout the day, we will explore how the refrescadera still is used in the region, learn about different approaches to making cuts and adjustments during distillation, and taste the distinctive organoleptic profiles of the area's mezcales. We will also learn about the endemic and regional agave species and varietals found throughout this landscape.

Late lunch with Francisco Garcia Leon and his family, including an opportunity to taste special and unreleased batches.

We will continue to Miahuatlán de Porfirio Díaz in the late afternoon and spend the night in a hotel.

Day 2 — Altos Valles & the Ranchos of El Palmar - saturday november 14th- CAMPING

After breakfast in Miahuatlán, we will head into the Altos Valles and the ranchos surrounding El Palmar and set up camp.

We will spend most of the day in the area, visiting different producers and exploring how the landscape, agaves, water, fermentation, and production traditions contribute to mezcales with organoleptic characteristics that are considerably different from those encountered on Day 1.

We will learn about the region's traditional two-pass copper alembic distillation, how cuts and adjustments are traditionally made, and the endemic species and regional varietals of agave found throughout the Altos Valles.

We will do an afternoon hike checking out native plants and agave and then settle in at camp for some carne asada.

Day 3 — Eastern Mengolí & Barbacoa with Sozimo Jarquín - sunday november 15th - back to oaxaca

We will leave El Palmar in the morning and travel to Eastern Mengolí to visit Maestro Sozimo Jarquín Aquino.

We will unearth the Traditional Barbacoa with Sozimo and his family, eat breakfast and head to the palenque to learn about his distinctive approach to mezcal production. We will explore his use of the refrescadera still and his particular approach to distillation.

After barbacoa, mezcal, and our final producer visit, we will begin the drive back to Oaxaca, arriving in the afternoon.

Trip Information & Reservations

Price

$1,000 USD per person

Discount available for industry professionals
One full trip-fee scholarship available

Space is limited to 10 guests.

Special pricing is available for members of the beverage industry who currently work with Of Spine and Vine portfolio products. Please contact us for details.

One full trip-fee scholarship is available for a Mexican currently living in Mexico. See the Scholarship section below for details.

Reserving Your Place

A $300 deposit per person is required to reserve your place.

The remaining $700 balance is due 45 days before departure.

For reservations made within 45 days of departure, the full trip price is due when your reservation is confirmed.

Payment

Payment can be made through:

  • Zelle

  • Melio

  • Bank Transfer / ACH

Payment instructions will be provided after your reservation is confirmed.

Cancellation

Because this is a small trip and many expenses are arranged in advance, the $300 deposit is non-refundable.

If you cancel more than 45 days before departure, any payments made beyond the deposit will be refunded.

For cancellations within 45 days of departure, payments are non-refundable. However, your reservation may be transferred to another person if you are unable to attend.

If we have to cancel the trip, all payments made to us will be fully refunded.

What's Included

Your trip includes:

  • Transportation from Oaxaca throughout the three-day itinerary and return to Oaxaca

  • One night of private hotel room accommodation in Miahuatlán

  • Meals and producer hospitality included in the itinerary

  • Producer, palenque, and rancho visits

  • Mezcal tastings

  • Two guides throughout the trip

  • Access to our campsite in the ranchos of El Palmar

Personal mezcal purchases, transportation to and from Oaxaca, personal expenses, and camping equipment are not included.

Camping in El Palmar

The second night of the trip will be spent camping in the ranchos of El Palmar.

This is an intentionally rustic part of the experience, allowing us to spend more time in this remote mezcal-producing region rather than returning to town at the end of the day.

Camping equipment is not provided. Each guest will need to bring their own:

  • Tent

  • Sleeping bag

  • Sleeping pad

  • Flashlight or headlamp

  • Any additional personal camping equipment they would like for the night

Facilities in El Palmar are extremely basic. We will have access to rudimentary toilet facilities, but there are no showers.

This is not a developed campground or a glamping experience. We will be staying in a rural working landscape with limited infrastructure.

What to Expect

This is a small-group trip through rural and, at times, remote parts of Miahuatlán.

We will travel on mountain and rural roads, visit working palenques, homes, and ranchos, walk through agave-growing landscapes, eat with producers and their families, taste mezcal throughout the trip, and spend one night camping.

Come prepared for sun, dust, uneven terrain, changing temperatures, rural conditions, and plenty of mezcal.

In addition to your camping equipment, we recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes or boots, sun protection, a hat, warm layers for the evening, a reusable water bottle, and a small daypack.

Please let us know in advance about any dietary restrictions or practical needs we should be aware of.

Scholarship

One full trip-fee scholarship is available for a Mexican currently living in Mexico.

The scholarship is intended to make the trip accessible to someone who may not otherwise be able to participate and who has a strong interest in mezcal, maguey, traditional production, or the cultural and ecological landscapes we will be exploring.

Priority consideration will be given to women, service and hospitality industry workers, Oaxacans, academics and researchers, and members of Indigenous communities of Mexico.

The scholarship covers the full $1,000 trip fee, including the transportation, accommodation, meals, producer visits, and activities normally included in the trip.

The scholarship recipient is responsible for their own transportation to and from Oaxaca, personal expenses, and camping equipment.

Apply for the Scholarship

Send us a short introduction telling us who you are, your interest or connection to mezcal and maguey, and why you would like to participate.

No formal essay or application is necessary.

Request a Spot

Space is limited to 10 guests.

To keep the experience small and personal, reservations are confirmed individually.

Contact Of Spine and Vine to check availability, request a place, ask about industry pricing, or apply for the trip scholarship.