Fortaleza Distillery Tour | A Must for Tequila Nerds | Award-Winning Añejo & More
48 photos
Duration
6-7 Hours
Private transportation
Included
La Fortaleza Entry
Included
Cantatiros El Guero
Stop Included
Description
Included/Excluded
itinerary
Reviews
Fortaleza Distillery Tour – Vive Abuelo
The Fortaleza Distillery Tour (Vive Abuelo) is a 90-minute deep dive into the craft behind one of Mexico’s most respected tequilas. This authentic Fortaleza Tour leads you through tahona-crushed agave, brick ovens, slow fermentation, and copper pot distillation—ending with a guided cave tasting of four distinct expressions.
Set inside the historic Los Abuelos (Fortaleza) distillery in Tequila, Jalisco, the Fortaleza Distillery Tour connects you to over 150 years of heritage. You’ll step into the oak barrel aging room, view the hand-finished bottling line, and experience the serene cave where Fortaleza’s character truly shines. Fortaleza is produced under NOM 1493, a hallmark of small-batch authenticity and traditional craftsmanship.
This experience includes private round-trip transportation from Guadalajara, Zapopan, or nearby areas—making your Fortaleza Distillery Tour seamless from pickup to drop-off. With limited availability and small groups, this is one of the most authentic tequila experiences in Jalisco.
~90 minutes tourinside Fortaleza
Cave tasting4 expressions
EN / ESbilingual hosts
Small groupsintimate experience
18+tasting required
History of Fortaleza: Five Generations of Tequila Masters
The story of the Fortaleza Distillery began in 1873 with Don Cenobio Sauza, one of tequila’s founding figures. His grandson, Don Javier Sauza, later oversaw a small family operation known as La Fortaleza, producing tequila using entirely traditional methods. Although production paused for decades, the original stone buildings, tahona courtyard, ovens, and fermentation rooms remained perfectly preserved.
In the early 2000s, Guillermo Erickson Sauza—fifth generation—revived the distillery. He restored the historic Los Abuelos property, reopening it under NOM 1493, with a commitment to producing tequila exactly as his ancestors had: tahona milling, brick ovens, natural fermentation, and copper pot distillation.
Today, a Fortaleza Distillery Tour is considered essential for tequila lovers seeking true authenticity. Fortaleza continues to honor the past and craft tequila using methods almost unchanged since the 19th century.
What’s Included in the Fortaleza Distillery Tour
- Private round-trip transportation from Guadalajara, Zapopan, or nearby areas
- Expert-led walkthrough of the production process
- Visit to the tahona, brick ovens, fermentation tanks, and copper stills
- Tour inside the aging room and traditional bottling line
- Cave tasting of four Fortaleza expressions (Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and seasonal release)
- Bilingual host in English or Spanish
- Time permitting: optional walk to the mirador viewpoint
Itinerary Snapshot: Your Fortaleza Tour
Pickup & Arrival
- Private driver picks you up at your hotel or Airbnb
- Scenic drive through the Tequila Valley
- Arrival and check-in at the historic Los Abuelos distillery
Tour & Tasting
- Walkthrough of ovens, tahona, fermentation, and copper stills
- Guided cave tasting of four expressions
- Visit the boutique for limited bottles & merch
- Private return transportation to Guadalajara
Why Book the Fortaleza Distillery Tour
- Includes private transportation — effortless, safe, door-to-door
- NOM 1493 authenticity: one of Mexico’s last traditionally run distilleries
- Premium cave tasting: four handcrafted expressions
- Historic depth: five generations of Sauza family heritage
- Small groups: a calm, non-rushed experience
Planning & Practical Info
- Tour length: 90 minutes
- Total experience: ~4–5 hours including transportation
- Languages: English & Spanish
- ID: required for tastings (18+)
- Terrain: cobblestones, stairs, uneven surfaces
- What to bring: comfortable shoes, hat, sunscreen
- Photography: allowed in most areas
- Weather: operates rain or shine
Transportation notice: All transportation is handled by licensed, insured partners selected by TQM Tours for safety and reliability.
FAQs: Fortaleza Distillery Tour
Is transportation included?
Yes — private round-trip transportation from Guadalajara, Zapopan, or nearby areas is included in every booking.
How long is the entire experience?
Approximately 4–5 hours including driving time.
Can I buy bottles at Fortaleza?
Yes. Limited bottles and artisanal merchandise are sometimes available at the boutique.
Is the tour suitable for non-drinkers?
Yes. The production sections are enjoyable even without tasting.
Can children join?
No. This experience is adults 18+ only.
Book Your Fortaleza Distillery Tour
Reserve your Fortaleza Distillery Tour and enjoy a truly traditional tequila experience—complete with private transportation and a premium cave tasting.
Policies
All reservations are final once confirmed by the TQM Tours team. Please ensure all details are correct before booking.
Booking disclaimer: Confirmation is subject to availability. If your selected time is unavailable, alternatives of similar quality will be offered with any price adjustments handled accordingly.
Included/Excluded
- Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- Guided tour of Fortaleza Distillery with tequila tastings.
- Visit to blue agave fields.
- Bilingual guide (English & Spanish).
- Hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off.
- Food, additional drinks, souvenirs, and gratuities.
Tour Plan
Los Abuelos - Fortaleza Distillery Tour
Duration: ~8.5 hours
Detailed Itinerary
All tickets now include private round-trip transportation from Guadalajara.
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9:30 AM – Hotel Pickup
Your TQM driver and bilingual host will pick you up from your hotel or Airbnb in Guadalajara.
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11:00 AM – Arrival at La Fortaleza
Arrive at the distillery with your guide for your scheduled tour.
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11:15 AM – Fortaleza Distillery Tour & Tasting
Take a guided walk through the traditional production process and taste Fortaleza's Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo tequilas.
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1:30 PM – Free Time in Tequila
Grab lunch, shop artisan goods, or relax in the town square at your own pace.
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3:30 PM – Cantaritos Stop
Your driver will take you to Cantaritos El Güero for one last cocktail (not included).
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5:30 PM – Return to Guadalajara
Enjoy a smooth, air-conditioned ride back to your accommodation.
Tour Map
7 reviews for Fortaleza Distillery Tour | A Must for Tequila Nerds | Award-Winning Añejo & More
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Let TQM Tours help you create unforgettable memories! Whether you’re planning a private tour, group adventure, or a special event like a wedding or bachelor/bachelorette party, we’re here to make your experience seamless and exceptional.
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Joaquin –
Jaime was incredible, he helped us set up a custom tour with Fortaleza and made the whole process easy and stress-free. The day was amazing from start to finish. My wife and sisters-in-law had so much fun, and everything was super well-organized. We’ll definitely be doing another tour with TQM!
Mike –
This was my second time visiting Tequila and it couldn’t have gone better. Carlos was our private guide for the day, not the one giving the distillery tour, but he made the whole experience smooth and really enjoyable. He was easy to talk to, super helpful, and just great to spend the day with.
This was my second time in Tequila and I wanted to check out a different distillery. We went with Fortaleza since I’ve been seeing it more often in bars in the U.S. and I really love their stuff. Took a chance with TQM and they did not disappoint.
We planned everything weeks ahead and Jaime was great—super patient with all our questions and very easy to work with. They picked us up from the airport too, which was perfect since we didn’t want to deal with taxis or Ubers after our experience in Cancun.
As a bonus, they surprised us with a free stop at Don Valente, a great small-batch distillery that we hadn’t even heard of. And like everyone else, we wrapped up the day at Cantaritos El Güero. Highly recommend TQM and this tour.
Bram –
We’re both tequila lovers and Fortaleza has been our favorite for a long time. Coming from the Netherlands, we wanted to make sure this experience was worth the travel. TQM Tours came highly recommended, and after speaking with Jaime (who answered every single question we had), we booked the tour. It did not disappoint — comfortable shuttle, great views, and Fortaleza was just incredible. The whole thing felt personal and well-organized. One of the highlights of our trip.
Bram & Femke, Rotterdam
Andrea Salazar –
We came to Tequila mainly for this tour and it didn’t disappoint. Fortaleza feels so authentic compared to the big commercial distilleries. Walking through the old stone buildings, smelling the agave cooking, and tasting their tequila right where it’s made was unforgettable. This was the highlight of our entire trip.
Alejandra Rios –
We booked this tour mainly for Fortaleza, and honestly it would’ve been worth it just for that. The place has such an authentic, family-owned vibe — walking through the stone buildings, seeing the tahona crush the agave, and tasting tequila made the traditional way was unforgettable.
What really impressed us was TQM going the extra mile. They surprised us with an extra distillery stop earlier in the day, which was awesome because we got to compare styles and learn even more. It didn’t feel rushed at all — we had plenty of time to enjoy each place.
And then the cherry on top: a stop at Cantaritos El Güero on the way back. Total party atmosphere with those huge clay cups of citrus and tequila. After a day of history and tastings, it was the perfect finish. Between the authenticity of Fortaleza and the energy at Cantaritos, this tour had everything. Easily 5 stars.
Jorge Antonia Sepilla –
Such a great tour! Full of little details that made it extra special. The guide adjusted to our pace, answered all our questions, and even gave us awesome food recommendations for later. I’d definitely book with them again.
Catalina Tapia –
Nos sentimos muy seguros en todo momento. El transporte limpio, cómodo y con aire acondicionado. La atención personalizada hizo toda la diferencia. Recomendadísimo para familias o parejas.