
I began writing here as a way to talk about whatever was on my mind. I figured that one day, if I was ever going to write a book I would simply come here, pick it apart, and take what I needed.
Somehow, over the last 2 years, this has become a place where I share much of my thoughts, especially if there is something that is bothering me. In the last 2 years I've shared a lot here... a lot. So much that at one point, a so-called "business advisor" suggested that I take it all down. I disagreed and moved on from that bullshit.
(but that's for another time)
The goal was never to be controversial or confrontational, rather it was a place that gave me
more than 2200 characters (Instagram) allowing me to simply rant when I needed to and wax poetic when the timing was right.
(even if that poetry was just prose)
Today I am starting a new chapter, one where I simply move to the side and give my friends space to share their own story, whatever that story may be, this is the place for it.
In addition, I am asking them to join me via conversation on our A/V podcast titled "One Last Thing...". I figured that if you are going to read the thing that they wrote you may as well know their background story; how they got here and where they are trying to go.
Anyway, without further adieu, today I bring you the thoughts of my dear friend Fred Sanchez, a Mezcal importer that prefers the title of "Dada" versus anything else. As much as I wanna give away more on his story and his background, it is probably better if you take in his words and his thoughts. After that, if you like what he has to say, please go and watch our very first episode of "One Last Thing...".
Not to keep trying to sell you on how interesting his story and his work are... but friends, if there is one thing you need to take away from all of this is the importance of celebrating our stories, elevating our voices, and normalizing the greatness of our community on a screen!
Go and watch this.
And now, one last thing about "One Last Thing"...
Here is a note from our first guest on the podcast, Fred Sanchez.
Thank you for your commitment to ethically sourced Mexican spirits from Mexican families. At BHI, we are building a portfolio of exceptional labels from producers who are staying true to their traditions and helping them cut through all the bullshit to reach you and your customers who care about what they drink. |
Honoring our AncestorsI recently did an interview and was asked about my title. Instinctively, I said, “I’m dad,” because I spend the majority of my days planning for, caring for, and thinking about my kids. In fact, I spent a good part of my morning preparing a presentation that I’ll be making at my daughter’s school on Monday about Día de Los Muertos. The school made a request for volunteers interested in sharing their cultural celebrations, and I took the opportunity to model for Charlie how proud I am to be Mexican. As I thought about Día de Los Muertos, I was reminded of my deceased grandfathers, both maternal and paternal, who worked the land with their hands. My abuelo in Puebla taught me to harvest guayabas, macadamias, and avocados that grew in la huerta. I remember how we let the macadamias dry so that we could peel them, then crack the hard shell with a custom nutcracker that he made. My other grandpa showed me how to cultivate tomatoes, potatoes, and chilies. We ate potatoes right out of the dirt and roasted green chilies on the grill. In their own way, each of them instilled tremendous appreciation for mother Earth. In my search for a second brand of mezcal, I knew it had to be from Puebla, but more importantly, it had to align with our values of respect for the land and the people of Mexico. Enter Yuku Savi, a leader in the transition of the agave spirits industry towards environmental sustainability and fair trade practices. With proceeds from sales, Yuku Savi finances ecological restoration projects in the Mixteca region of Puebla and Oaxaca through Agave Atemporal. Yuku Savi’s sustainability program focuses on cultivating agave and native trees, designing agroforestry systems that integrate food production, and restoring degraded forests using nature-based solutions. They’re uniting rural communities dependent on agave with food producers and supporting innovation in sustainable forest products. Here is a summary of their impact in 2023 alone:
For the first releases of Yuku Savi in the US, we selected four exceptional batches by Maestro Félix Macedas. Each represents a different aspect of the region, its biodiversity of agave, as well as ambient yeasts, its hotter, drier microclimate, and Félix’s versatility as a producer. The through line is simply Puebla. These mezcales are the best the land has to offer. With less than 200 bottles of each produced, they are not for everybody. They are not for every day:
As parents, we strive to instill gratitude in Charlie for the abundance the Earth provides, from the fruits and vegetables at our table to the vibrant mercados we visit in Puebla. It’s a joy to watch her discover new flavors, but it also reminds me of the deeper responsibility we have to protect these gifts for future generations. While the impacts of climate change are a constant concern, I find hope in partnerships like the one with Yuku Savi. Their commitment to sustainable practices and respect for the land reflects a vision that another world is possible—one where mezcal production supports ecosystems and empowers communities. As we honor our ancestors this Día de Los Muertos, let’s reflect not only on those who came before us but also on the legacy we’ll leave behind. How will we be remembered? By the way we nurtured the land, cared for our communities, and passed down traditions rooted in respect and gratitude. Together, we can build a future that honors both our heritage and the Earth that sustains us. |
Comentarios