November 19, 2009

 Greetings, Coyote patrons and tequila “fanaticos”,

      I am so proud of the students who participated in the Tequilier (expert on tequila) seminar that took place at Café Coyote’s state of the art, “Puerto Vallarta” conference room. For the first time ever in the United States, Andrés Rodríguez- Reynoso, President of the prestigious Academia Mexicana del Tequila (Civil Association) taught a seminar to 21 industry professionals. Included in this group were Café Coyote’s very own Paul Muñoz, Anthony Pinedo, and José Ivan Ruiz Hernandez.  These gentlemen took a two day, 17 hour seminar that focused on a spectrum of tequila knowledge. History, production, statistics and development of their organoleptic senses were refined in this two-day class.

     Along with my Coyote colleagues, we had professionals from all realms attend. Spirits distributors, agronomist, educators, bartenders, servers, sales representative and entrepreneurs came to learn from the best. Diana Barrera (The Agave Gal), Julio Maya (Tequila Adan y Eva), Juan Carlos Estrada (Selective Spirits), Ignacio Castellanos  (Tequila, Siete Leguas), Raul Mosqueda Sr. (Tequila, 3 Amigos), Archie Negrete (Young’s Market), Maricela Martínez (Frank-Lin distribution), Daniel Garibay (El Zarape Restaurant) Saul Aguayo (Break Away Spirits) and many more San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, Phoenix and Mexico’s professionals were awarded this one of a kind Tequilier certificate.

     This is only the beginning of what is yet to come. The Academy’s next goal is to certify at least 20 plus individuals who are interested in becoming “tequila experts”. This is a course for the individual with the passion and determination to reach higher levels of learning associated with the spirit, tequila. The next Tequilier seminar is tentatively scheduled for February of 2010. Visit our weekly tequila blog: cafecoyoteoldtown.com for more info. You can also contact, Joseph Sånchez (V.P. of the Academy’s U.S.A. Chapter) for questions: info@academiamexicanadeltequila.org.

     I want to give a special thanks to Ritch and Lehn Goetz, owners of Café Coyote for sponsoring this event. These individuals have always done the best to conserve tequila culture and preserve Mexican tradition and folklore. For all of our staff and management who helped us, great job!

Hazel A. Reyes, assistant organizer for the Los Angeles Tequila Meet Up group multitasked in being a student at the seminar and with the organization of the class. You are a “Super Star”!!!

     Come on down tomorrow to celebrate our 2^nd re-certification as an authorized A.M.T “tequila house”. The party begins at 4:00p.m. with our happy hour specials that last until 6:00 p.m. We will continue our celebration throughout the night with our monthly drink and food special that are more detailed on our home page. If you mention our tequila house certification you will receive a complementary tortilla appetizer (One per table). Be immersed in this great tequila experience. Come to the place where Coyote’s go to howl; don’t worry the coyote’s don’t bite; they just have a great time!

Salud (Cheers)!!

Mario Marquez

Tequila Ambassador

Café Coyote y  Cantina

Old Town, San Diego

cafecoyoteoldtown.com

November 12^th, 2009

Greeting, Coyote patrons and tequila fanatics,

     Tequila Thursdays are here to stay and I feel the interest and excitement of our guest building as the days go by. The staff at Café Coyote is more aware of what is happening in this great tequila industry and I get a sense that they want to be a part of its evolving growth. For the majority tequila consumer, this Mexican spirit has been a negative “party” memory that they have dreaded to regret with some poor quality tequilas and various “imitation” tequilas that once flooded the worlds markets. Some things remain the same and many things have changed in and industry that produces and average of 1000 brands (respectively). Discover the treasures of QUALITY tequila that remains a secret to many novices.

      Here, at Café Coyote we have narrowed it down for you. We currently sell about 130 tequilas and sometimes even more. We provide you with a selection of tequilas from different distilleries, microclimates, “terroir,” and every style available. We are and open minded establishment that tailors to the demands of our guest. Feel free to ask our knowledgeable staff about you favorite tequila or simply let them recommend a nice one for you. You will not be disappointed!

     Our tequila of the month is el Jimador  (The Harvester) 100 % agave. This tequila is produced by Casa Herradura, the one with the horse shoe on the bottle. Casa Herradura has been around since 1870 and is one of the leading and one of the oldest tequila firms in México. If you are ever in Amatitán, Jalisco, their Hacienda San José del Refugio will awe you. The “Tequila Express” (a train that you take from Guadalajara) will drop you off at the hacienda’s doorstep.

      In the next coming week, some of our staff, and other industry professionals, will be going through a two-day tequilier (similar to sommelier) seminar. For the first time in the United States, the prestigious Academia Mexicana del Tequila (U.S.A) will conduct this course by it’s founder. Andrés Rodríguez- Reynoso, President and Master Tequilier of Mexico’s academy chapter will be teaching this seminar. Joseph Sánchez Vice President and Master Tequilier (U.S.A chapter), Marcos Ramos (Tequilier/ Catador) and myself will partake in the efforts to teach our students of tequila. If you are interested in participating in this great learning experience contact, Joseph Sanchez at info@academiamexicanadeltequila.org or contact him via phone at 1(858) 356-7575.

      We had a great turnout this Thursday with guest that asked to learn about our fine tequilas. They left Café Coyote with an unforgettable experience. I had customers wanting to purchase tequilas bottles on the spot. After they had their nice sipping tequilas, I directed them to “walk” down to my good friend Zee’s store, Old Town Liquor, which is only two blocks down the street from us. This gentleman has some of the finest tequila selection in the world. The fiesta never ends at  “Pueblo Viejo”.

Salud!!!

Mario Márquez, Café Coyote’s Tequila Ambassador

November 5, 2009

 Bienvenidos Coyote guest and tequila aficionados, 

     I am happy to be at Café Coyote every Thursday from 4:00-10:00 p.m. to meet and talk to you about Mexico’s favorite spirit, TEQUILA. Have you ever been to an official tequila house? We have over 100 tequilas, most in the 100 percent agave style, and from different regions of the tequila appellation of origin. Make tequila Thursday a weekly tradition with friends, family or your co- workers. You can even convince your boss to have tequila Thursday for your upcoming Christmas party. We are flexible and want to tailor to your needs.

     As I mentioned in the past weeks, Lobster Thursday is another bonus to this special night. Our 1 and ¼ lb. Baja California Lobster is here until the end of November. It is only $ 24.95 and is accompanied with our delicious rice, beans and homemade flour tortillas. Don’t miss out on this deal! Try it with our Siete Leguas blanco tequila and you will see how well these two go together. Siete Leguas is a brand that dates back to 1952. It is highland (Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco) tequila that is a unique combination of two distilleries (La Vencedora/ El Centenario).

     Don’t forget to try our Negra Modelo beer. Yes, we finally got it on tap and it is here to stay. It is rich and full bodied. Just thinking about it makes me want to grab one of these dark beauties. San Diego is hosting its first annual beer week from November 6-15^th. On Thursday, November 12^th from 5:30-7:30p.m.a brew master from Stone brewery will be at Café Coyote to talk to our guest about the art behind making quality beer. We just got the new Cali-Belgique I.P.A. that is brewed by Stone. This California style I.PA. has an undeniable Belgian influence. Plan to come down to the Coyote this Thursday to experience a night that you will never forget. I hope to see you soon.

Salud!!!

 Mario Marquez

Tequila Ambassador

Café Coyote, Old Town San Diego