OUR PROJECT STORY

MATASANTA's mission, as part of The Palm Project, is to support initiatives for conservation of endangered species.

MATASANTA is a project that originates as the fast process of industrialization arrived in Oaxaca and the world of Mezcal in general. Our idea is to preserve traditional and ancestral techniques of production, some that are close to extinct. With a strong care for the environment, MATASANTA began an Agave nursery in 2019, more on this below.

The moment of connection happened in the coast of Oaxaca while working on the development of ThePalmProject's first holistic center-Villa Ventanilla. Not just this exquisite Mezcal but also the shared vision of acting based on sustainability united a small but solid group that has built MATASANTA, a direct bridge from Oaxaca to the US Market and the World. This bridge, however is not a straight line, but a closed circle: all proceeds from this project go back to biodiversity conservation initiatives in Oaxaca and within our network.

"NO ES MAGIA ES MEZCAL"

An ode to Oaxaca's magical spirit, in both meanings: its mystical energy and of course Mezcal the Agave spirit.

Thank you for joining us in this wonderful celebration of Agave plants and all Matasantas in this world.

MATASANTA AGAVE NURSERY

Miahuatlan, Oaxaca

Sola de Vega, Oaxaca

More than 22,000 Agaves have been planted Since 2020, when Matasanta began an Agave nursery to perpetuate not only our Brand but biodiversity as well- none of those plants are Espadín and we focus on the variety of endemic agaves. No monoculture.

Sola de Vega, Oaxaca

All Agaves are germinated by seed to ensure high genetical strength and resilience of each species. No deforestation but the opposite, planting more than what we consume. Letting quiotes release seeds.

MATASANTA labels- Turning Agaves into paper

Artistry is Sustainability

The paper that dresses our classic Mezcal bottles is made by recycling the same Agave fibers where our Mezcal came from. After the milling and press of roasted agaves, this gabazo is sent to Alberto's studio in Etla, OAX for hand processing.

Quality over Quantity

Artistry is Sustainability

Meet Alberto Valenzuala, the paper Artist

The earthy textures in MATASANTA labels are the result of traditional paper craft. Alberto says proudly that his paper studio is committed to working only with Mezcal brands that produce Spirits of 45% ABV and above.

10 indicators on a Mezcal label that indicate good quality

Not in any specific order -

Mezcal Category: Does it say [Mezcal] only? [Mezcal Artesanal], [Mezcal Ancestral]? Each of these categories has its regulations during the production process, [Mezcal] being the base and most similar to commercial Tequila, and [Mezcal Ancestral] the most traditional, all-by-hand way.
Variety/Species of Agave: Look for the specific type of Agave used in the Mezcal production. Over 90% of Mezcal is made with Espadin, or Espadin Ensambles. Some rare Mezcales are made from wild or specific agave varieties like Tepextate, Tobalá, or Madrecuixe, etc.
Denomination of Origin (DO): Check for the DO region where the Mezcal was produced, such as Oaxaca, Guerrero, Durango, San Luis Potosí, or Zacatecas. Mezcal produced in designated regions often adheres to higher standards.
Alcohol Percentage: The Mezcal regulation allows 35%-55% Alc by Vol. A quality Mezcal will typically have an alcohol percentage of 45% or above, which is standard for this spirit.
Mezcal vs Agave Spirits: A certified Mezcal is approved by the standards of NOM-070. Agave spirits is wide and interesting range; from outstanding clay pot distilled spirits made traditionally all the way to "Agave Vodka".
Production Details: Some labels specify the production details, including whether it's made using traditional methods like pit-roasting the agave hearts, stone grinding, and copper or clay pot distillation. The more information the better, as long as it's true.
Lot or Batch Number: Traditional Mezcales often have bottle, lot or batch numbers on the label, indicating traceability and small-batch production. A lot number and Number of bottles is not the same.
Maestro Mezcalero: The label should mention the name of the master mezcalero (mezcal maker) responsible for the whole process of crafting the spirit, highlighting expertise and lineage.
Size of Production: A "small" batch release of 5,000 bottles of MadreCuishe...? Although big and small are subjective adjectives, the logical relation of availability of the plant and the volume of production has to be aligned. The number of bottles is an easy indicator of how artisanal or factory produced the product is.
Tasting Notes and Flavor Profile: Some labels provide tasting notes or flavor profiles describing the Mezcal's unique characteristics, which can be subjective but helpful in understanding its quality and complexity.

OUR PROJECT STORY

MATASANTA's mission, as part of The Palm Project, is to support initiatives for conservation of endangered species.