Burrito Sotolero 2024

A little-known tradition that just this June 21, 2024, celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in the City of Madera, in the Sotolero state of Chihuahua. We had the great opportunity and honor of being present at the invitation of the master Sotolero Chito Fernández, who kindly opened the doors of his home and vineyard to us.

The sotol donkey has a twenty-five-year tradition, and although it's little known in the state, it's an event that Maderense residents eagerly await year after year. On this occasion, three sotol brands came together to parade their animals through the streets while pulling a cart full of sotol.

In this fun event, each producer parades with their family and friends through the city streets while herding donkeys carrying a barrel full of sotol. Each producer's community mixes the sotol with soda and ice to give to the residents who happily wait on the side of the street, receiving the drinks and enjoying this beverage so characteristic of the Chihuahuan mountains as a community.

On this occasion, Madero-born artist Fabian Valdez unveiled a metal sculpture depicting the Sotol Burrito Festival. Along with the unveiling of the sculpture, various awards were presented to the producers in attendance. Among them, we should mention our host Chito Fernández with his Las Potrancas brand, who led the parade with his two burritos and a donation of approximately 60 liters of sotol. Also in the parade were producers Bienvenido Fernández and his brother Luis Alfonso Fernández of the Sotol Fernández brand, and at the end of the parade, maestro Mayolo Aguirre Fernández with his Don Bardino brand, bringing the total to 150 liters of sotol distributed and given away to all attendees.

The Sotolero Burrito event kicks off the traditional fair in honor of Saint Peter. It's a traditional town fair with rides, food, and games of chance. We honestly enjoyed it a lot, mingling with people from the community and guests. It's a tradition that takes place on the third Friday of every June, and everyone is invited to join in.

The city of Madera is located about two and a half hours from the capital of Chihuahua and is a very beautiful drive to the famous Sierra de Chihuahua, passing through the city of Cuauhtémoc, a livestock and agricultural region famous for the Mennonite community that has resided there for many generations.

The next day, we visited the winery (as the palenque or factory is known in that region of the country), located about 40 minutes from the city, deep in the mountains. This beautiful area, unfortunately, has also suffered the ravages of the current drought. Don Chito takes care of his animals, working hard to ensure they have plenty of water. The winery is small, with only two distillers, an oven, and a couple of wells for mashing and fermentation. Sotol Las Potrancas is growing favorably under the guidance of Patricia Fernández, the next (or first) great master sotolera. Keep an eye on her because she'll soon be surprising us with great distillates.

A tradition worth experiencing, and I feel very proud to have been part of this invitation. Thank you, Paty, Towi, Don Chito, and the entire family who opened the doors of their home to me.