Sustainability is one of those buzzwords we’re hearing a lot these days, kind of like superfoods. But unlike the buzz of superfoods, sustainability is an incredibly important topic that simply cannot just be another fad. Sustainability is a multi-layered issue that includes conscious sourcing, resource rehabilitation, recycling, plastics, water and electricity usage, considering the local economy, and so much more.
As Americans become more conscious of their consumables’ environmental impact, brands are noticing and figuring out what they can do and how they can do better. It’s going to be about more than just creating a delicious Mezcal; having sustainable practices is becoming an increasingly important factor in consumer purchasing decisions.
While the agave-based spirit industry as a whole has noticed this shift, not all brands are responding equally. Sustainable practices are often more difficult and time-consuming, and the transition process from initial techniques to sustainable ones is no small feat.
Mezcal Rosaluna is committed to doing everything in our power to protect our family farm in Oaxaca, the planet as a whole, and everything in between. Here’s how we’re doing our part.
Leave That Carbon Footprint in the Dust
Mezcal Rosaluna is so, so proud to be a carbon-neutral company.
There’s more to it than just “calling" ourselves carbon-neutral; there’s a process and certification which holds entities to the highest global standards. We’ve achieved this certification and hold ourselves to these highest of standards every single day. *High-five.*
The term carbon-neutral describes a company, service, product, or event where the carbon emissions caused by them have been balanced out by funding an equivalent amount of carbon savings elsewhere in the world. Carbon neutrality refers to achieving net-zero levels of carbon-dioxide emissions from all activities performed.
Some people may be familiar with the term carbon footprint. This term was taught to some of us in elementary school and explained as the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions we have caused. For example, walking instead of driving to school would help lower our carbon footprint. In the United States, the average carbon footprint for any given person is 16 tons per year. Carbon neutrality is equivalent to a carbon footprint of zero, AKA, 0 tons per year.
Rumor has it that Mezcal tastes even better under the moonlight. This is a very accurate rumor. Except, what if this won’t work anymore if our atmosphere becomes too polluted? With Mezcal Rosaluna, you’re leaving the carbon footprint in the dust and helping keep our air “dust” free.
Breathe it in, everyone - fresh air is oh so good. Let’s keep it this way.
You’re Free to Enjoy, Free from
One of the beautiful things about Mezcal is its simplicity in ingredients. The ingredient list on a bottle of Mezcal should look more like a single sentence. Mezcal Rosaluna is made exclusively with our own hand-selected agave, water, and lots of love. That’s it.
Three ingredients; it's all you need. Mezcal Rosaluna is nothing but the good stuff. But it isn’t just about what is in Mezcal—it’s equally as important to note what isn’t.
Mezcal Rosaluna is gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, zero-carb, and entirely plant-based.
Unlike beer and sake, which can leave those sensitive to gluten with unpleasant symptoms like cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and more, Mezcal Rosaluna is certified gluten-free. Oh, did you know that approximately 18 million Americans have some extent of gluten sensitivity? This number is higher than one might guess, likely because people haven’t identified the root cause of their symptoms in most cases. But with Mezcal Rosaluna, there’s nothing to fear. Say hello to happy taste buds, a happy stomach, and a very happy life.
Psst, do you know what GMOs are? We see “non-GMO” all the time across several products, and we know it's a good thing—but what exactly does it mean? Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms that have been made in a laboratory and—surprise, surprise—are genetically modified. Non-GMO certifies a product was produced without genetic engineering, nor were any of its ingredients derived from GMOs. Our bodies are temples, so let’s be sure to fuel them with natural, wholesome ingredients (like water and agave).
Some people are surprised to learn that Mezcal Rosaluna has zero grams of carbohydrates. Yep, you read that right; this spirit is carb-free, zero-carb, whatever TF you want to call it. Following a ketogenic lifestyle but don’t want to miss out on aspects of social life? No problem—opt for Mezcal Rosaluna. Being a little extra diligent with your diet before hot girl summer? Do you—and opt for Mezcal Rosaluna. Saving your carbs for a pizza party or date night? Totally understandable—opt for Mezcal Rosaluna.
Along with sustainability and superfoods, America has also been hopping on yet another bandwagon: plant-based. And no, you don’t need to be vegan or even vegetarian to appreciate the benefits plant-based alternatives have to offer. Mezcal Rosaluna is all-natural, all from Mother Nature herself. Just the way it should be.
Natural Is the Next Big Thing
Mezcal Rosaluna is all-natural and hand-crafted. Nothing but the good stuff, remember?
And by all-natural, we really mean all-natural. Mezcal is strictly regulated and required to be made with 100% agave, leaving no room for additional sweeteners, chemicals, coloring, etc. For comparison, Mezcal’s cousin, tequila, is only required to have 51% agave, allowing the rest of the product to be mixed with alcohols derived from other ingredients.
Calling any liquor “healthy” seems like a bit of a stretch, but if we had to choose, Mezcal would be at the top of the healthier spirits list, for sure. That 49% of “other stuff” in tequila and all the “other stuff” in other spirits? Yeah, that’s the stuff giving you a wicked headache the day after drinking.
On the Mezcal Rosaluna farm, we make our Mezcal using artesenal methods. The artesenal method goes back to tradition and prohibits most of the newer tools and techniques that industrial production permits. Shredders for milling and stainless steel tanks for fermentation are the only exceptions for artesenal production; however, we still prefer traditional methods instead. On our farm, we use a mash or have our horses pull tahona mills for the milling process, and fermentation happens in any of our twelve pinewood fermentation tanks. (We also hand-wash our agave... just saying).
Keeping It Vertical
We’re a single-estate operation, 100% vertically integrated.
That means we grow, harvest, cook, ferment, distill, and bottle Mezcal Rosaluna from start to finish. This gives us an uncanny advantage over quality control and consistency, just the way we like it. You know what they say—if you want something done right, do it yourself. Done.
Here’s how we keep things sustainable:
Harvesting wild agaves, as opposed to cultivating them responsibly through family-owned farms, poses a huge threat to the environment. We’re seeing more and more mountains becoming depleted of natural vegetation as growers cultivate their plants on the hillsides, wiping out local flora and fauna and significantly eroding the soil. No thank you.
When we set out to make our Mezcal Rosaluna, we knew we wanted to support sustainable farming and never contribute to deforestation. Our spirit is made from a domesticated agave species called Agave Angustifolia (espadín), which we grow in the same valleys it’s been harvested in for generations. You could say we’re big on tradition, which we are, but it’s also just the right thing to do.
And that’s not all. We use natural pollination. We rest the field for 1-2 years after harvesting the agaves, allowing the soil to restore itself. We recycle the fibers and fermented water from our production process and reuse it as fertilizer for our agave plantations. And to top it all off, we don’t use electricity for cultivation or production.
Sustainability Matters, and So Does Taste
In Oaxaca, appropriately nicknamed The World Capital of Mezcal, Mezcal is so much more than just another liquor. In Oaxaca, Mezcal represents deeply rooted historical and cultural significance.
Across designated Mezcal regions, many families in small towns are heavily involved in its production. Several family-run businesses have been making Mezcal for generations and rely on it as a primary source of income. Unlike tequila, typically produced on an industrial scale, Mezcal is more often made in small-batches with artesenal methods. The magic of Mezcal has long been a point of bonding, bringing family, friends, and communities together.
To ensure the magic of authentic Mezcal lives on for generations to come, sustainability is essential.
We also know that taste matters a lot. Our Rosaluna brings three unique, complex, and exciting flavor profiles. Earthy Agave: Roasted agave hearts and their delicious caramel notes lead the way, while spices like ginger and cinnamon are woven throughout. Complex Aroma: With notes of citrus, tropical fruits, pineapple, and pear, it’s an experience of bright notes that can be enjoyed by everyone. Smooth Finish: Leading with a hint of agave smoke, it finishes with subtle layers of sweet fruit and baking spice.
Sustainability is something we hold very close to our hearts, and we’re proud to be doing our best to do our part. If sustainability is the ability for the Earth’s biosphere and human civilization to happily co-exist, we’re eager to get there. Mezcal Rosaluna was built with everyone (and no one) in mind, but Mother Nature, this one’s for you, too.
Sources:
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity | BeyondCeliac.org
