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History of Tequila Timeline

(1000 BCE - Present)

Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the blue agave plant, produced primarily in the region surrounding the city of Tequila in Jalisco, Mexico. Its history traces back to pre-Columbian fermented agave beverages and evolved through Spanish distillation techniques in the 16th century into one of the world's most celebrated spirits. Less

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International Trade

Don Cenobio Sauza first exports tequila to the United States

Jan 1, 1884 - Dec 31, 1885

Don Cenobio Sauza, founder of Sauza Tequila and Municipal President of the Village of Tequila from 1884 to 1885, was the first to export tequila to the United States, opening a major international market for the Mexican spirit.

Tequila protected internationally under the Lisbon Agreement

Jan 1, 1978

In 1978, tequila was internationally registered for protection under the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration, extending legal safeguards beyond Mexico's borders.

Bilateral protections signed with Japan and Israel

Jan 1, 1990

Beyond NAFTA and EU recognition, tequila's designation of origin has been protected through bilateral agreements with individual countries such as Japan and Israel, broadening its international legal coverage.

Tequila becomes a protected designation of origin in the EU

Jan 1, 1997

Tequila has been a protected designation of origin product in the European Union since 1997, preventing imitations within one of the world's largest spirits markets.

Mexico proposes mandatory domestic bottling of tequila

Jan 1, 2003

In 2003, Mexico issued a proposal that would require all Mexican-made tequila be bottled in Mexico before being exported to other countries, aiming to keep more value-added work at home.

United States and Mexico sign bulk import agreement

Jan 17, 2006

On January 17, 2006, the United States and Mexico signed an agreement allowing the continued bulk import of tequila into the United States, resolving tensions raised by Mexico's proposed bottling requirements.

Image source: Tequila

United States and Mexico sign bulk import agreement

Chinese ban on premium tequila imports lifted

Jun 1, 2013

In June 2013, a Chinese ban on the importation of premium (100% blue agave) tequila into China was lifted, following a state visit to Mexico by Chinese Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping.

Exports expected to rise 20 percent after China opening

Jun 1, 2013

The entry of premium tequila into China was expected to increase tequila exports by 20 percent within the decade, above the 170 million liters exported in 2013.

First premium tequila shipments arrive in Shanghai

Aug 30, 2013

On August 30, 2013, the first 70,380 bottles of premium tequila from ten brands arrived in Shanghai, marking the practical launch of the Chinese market for high-end Mexican tequila.

NAFTA protection for tequila ends

Jul 1, 2020

Tequila was protected through NAFTA in Canada and the United States until July 2020, when NAFTA was replaced, ending that particular framework of trade protection for the designation of origin.

Tequila municipality reports $572 million in international sales

Jan 1, 2024

In 2024, the government reported that international sales of tequila from Tequila municipality reached approximately US $572 million, underscoring the region's continued economic importance.

United States remains top destination for tequila exports

Jan 1, 2024

The majority of tequila sales are to the United States, which was the top destination country in 2024, reflecting the deep commercial ties between the two nations' spirits markets.

Production and Industry

Manual agave farming traditions endure

Jan 1, 1900

Planting, tending, and harvesting the agave plant remains a manual effort, largely unchanged by modern farm machinery and relying on centuries-old expertise passed down through generations of jimadores.

First tequila distillery opens in the United States

Jan 1, 1936

The first tequila distillery in the United States was opened in 1936 in Nogales, Arizona by Harry J., marking the beginning of tequila production north of the Mexican border.

Agave shortages raise prices across early 21st century

Jan 1, 2000

Agave supply constraints have resulted in lower production and higher prices throughout the early 21st century, and due to the long maturation of the plant, will likely continue to affect prices for years to come.

Over 900 brands produced by more than 100 distilleries

Jan 1, 2009

According to 2009 statistics, over 100 distilleries made over 900 brands of tequila in Mexico, and more than 2,000 brand names had been registered, reflecting the industry's rapid growth.

1,377 registered brands from 150 producers reported

Jan 1, 2013

The Consejo Regulador del Tequila reported 1,377 registered brands from 150 producers for the year 2013, illustrating the breadth and competitiveness of the tequila market.

Study analyzes yeast diversity in open fermentation

Jan 1, 2023

A 2023 article analyzes the diversity of yeasts found in these uncontrolled fermentation conditions, shedding scientific light on the microorganisms that shape tequila's flavor profiles.

Regulation and Standards

Mexico declares 'tequila' its intellectual property

Jan 1, 1974

In 1974, the Mexican government declared the term "tequila" to be its intellectual property, ensuring that only spirits produced in designated regions of Mexico under specific standards could bear the name.

Tequila becomes Mexico's first appellation of origin

Jan 1, 1974

Tequila became Mexico's first appellation of origin (AO) in 1974, legally linking the spirit to its geographic region of production and establishing a precedent for protecting other Mexican products.

NOM-006-SCFI-1993 tequila standard issued

Jan 1, 1993

NOM-006-SCFI-1993 was one of the important laws governing tequila since 1990, establishing official standards for how the spirit must be produced, classified, and labeled in Mexico.

NOM-006-SCFI-1994 updates the tequila standard

Jan 1, 1994

The NOM-006-SCFI-1994 update revised the earlier tequila standard, refining the regulatory framework that governed production practices and quality classifications for the industry.

Flavored tequila permitted under new rules

Jan 1, 2004

In 2004, the Council decided to allow flavored tequila to be called tequila, with the exception of 100% agave tequila, which still cannot be flavored, expanding the range of products on the market.

New NOM introduces extra añejo 'ultra-aged' class

Jan 1, 2006

A new Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM) for tequila (NOM-006-SCFI-2005) was issued in 2006 and, among other changes, introduced a class of tequila called extra añejo or "ultra-aged", which must be aged a minimum of three years.

Agave plantation registration requirements introduced

Dec 13, 2012

The 2012 standard required registering the agave during the calendar year of its plantation and mandated annual updates, improving traceability of raw materials used in tequila production.

Bulk tequila vending machine sales prohibited

Dec 13, 2012

The NOM-006-SCFI-2012 update prohibited the selling of bulk tequila through vending machines, tightening controls on how the spirit could be distributed to consumers.

Silver class barred from containing additives

Dec 13, 2012

The latest version of the tequila standard updated the rules to specify that the silver class of tequila cannot contain additives, preserving the purity of unaged tequila.

NOM-006-SCFI-2012 tequila standard published

Dec 13, 2012

The most recent revision of the tequila law, NOM-006-SCFI-2012, was published on December 13, 2012, updating the official standard that governs tequila production in Mexico.

Culture and Recognition

Riedel Ouverture named the official tequila glass

Jan 1, 2002

In 2002, the Consejo Regulador del Tequila approved an "official tequila glass" called the Ouverture Tequila glass, made by Riedel, elevating the ritual and appreciation of tasting tequila.

Agave Landscape declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Jan 1, 2006

Due to its historical and cultural importance, the region near Tequila was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006, known as the Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila.

Image source: Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila

Agave Landscape declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Record $225,000 premium tequila bottle sold

Jul 1, 2006

A one-liter bottle of limited-edition premium tequila was sold for $225,000 in July 2006 in Tequila, Jalisco, by the company Tequila Ley .925, demonstrating the spirit's emergence in the luxury market.

National Tequila Day established for third Saturday of March

Jan 1, 2018

In 2018, the Mexican government approved a proposal to celebrate the third Saturday of March as National Tequila Day, honoring the country's iconic spirit.

Key Facts

  1. The earliest known agave beverage was pulque, a fermented drink consumed by Mesoamerican civilizations as early as 1000 BCE, long before distillation arrived in Mexico.
  2. Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century introduced distillation techniques to Mexico, leading to the creation of mezcal wines, the precursors of tequila.
  3. In 1758, José Antonio de Cuervo received a land grant from the King of Spain, establishing the Cuervo family's legacy that led to the first licensed tequila production.
  4. Tequila earned legal protection as a Designation of Origin in 1974, meaning authentic tequila must be produced from blue Weber agave in specific regions of Mexico, primarily Jalisco.
  5. Today, tequila is one of the fastest-growing spirits worldwide, with premium '100% agave' varieties driving a global renaissance and generating billions of dollars in annual sales for Mexico.

Source

This History of Tequila timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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