Del Maguey

How Del Maguey Began


“In 1990 I spent 3 months living and making art in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. It was one of the most profoundly satisfying times in my life. Before I left Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, I had decided on several projects that would keep me busy.

The first was the weaving of large wool tapestries, to be done using my designs by a Zapotec master weaver who had been a friend for twenty years.

The second was to create stone sculptures based loosely on the traditional corn grinders; the mano and metate. These hand grinders in two parts reminded me of the duality of male and female and their relationships.

The third was to produce a sculptural limited edition of 50 hand-blown blue glass bottles with the profile of Ometotchtli, the supreme god of intoxication and ecstasy. He was the leader of the four hundred gods of pulque (Centzon Totochtin). Correctly translated, Ometotchtli represented the innumerable forms of intoxication. These bottles were to be filled with the “best” mezcal. When not creating art during those three months, I traveled far into the countryside surrounding Oaxaca. About three days a week I followed rumors of great pure mezcals made by farmers, hours down dirt roads far from the capitol. I tasted, spoke with many makers, collected, and vowed to return as I had discovered an incredible elixir!

When it was time to return to the U.S., I loaded my pickup truck with 28 pieces of art I had made in those three months and a dozen bottles of different “great” mezcal samples including a five gallon jug - a gift from friends of a special Zapotec wedding mezcal, and headed for the frontera.

When I reached the U.S. border, the U.S. customs officials gave me two choices: 1. To return to Mexico and drink my collection or,
2. To pour it out-save one liter, ‘all that an individual citizen is allowed to bring into the country.’


I decided then and there to make this fine liquid available to me and my friends! That is how Del Maguey began.”