One of the most memorable adventures during my Oaxaca workshop was a day spent in harsh and challenging light in the mountains, immersed in the rhythm of mezcal production. Far from anything industrial, we witnessed the strength and knowledge required to craft this deeply rooted spirit. Mezcal begins with wild agave, harvested by hand. The hearts are then slow-roasted for several days in an underground pit, giving the liquor its smoky taste, before being crushed, fermented, and distilled using ancestral methods.

Pictured here is Master Mezcalero Leo Hernández and his crew in different stages of the process. Every gesture, every tool, every movement was full of intention and history.

The scent of smoke in the air, the texture of the agave fibers, the sound of work being done by hand… All our senses were engaged to remind us that storytelling goes beyond the frame; it’s about connection.

It’s a day none of us will ever forget.