the heirloom corns and the culture of the traditional farmer who grows it because they’re fading into oblivion not being able to compete,” he explains. It’s one component of an overall effort to promote social values and economic stability in Oaxaca. The company says that for every job that’s created in the distillery, there are five indirect jobs created. With 15 people now working in the distillery, that means 75 indirect jobs, all making a living wage and feeding an average of three people in each family. “The other part of my program,” he says “is to revive the corns that are almost extinct.” To accomplish that, he’s replanted a few cobs of the endangered varietals that he’s
“The main part of this program is that we’re recovering the heirloom corns and the culture of the traditional farmer who grows it because they’re fading into oblivion not being able to compete.” — DOUGLAS FRENCH
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been able to find in local markets. He then keeps re-planting the seeds that the new corn plants yield. He’s already resuscitated a purple corn crop and turned that into a spirit, which is, at the moment, maturing in oak and will be ready for release in 2019. He’s also been working with a red varietal called Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ), as well as a green corn. Those aren’t quite as far along. “It takes two to three years to establish a seed bay where you can plant 30 to 40 acres of corn to really have a commercial product,” French says. “We hope to continue that part of the program and recover as many varieties and species that we can find seeds for.”
Sierra Norte is located in San Agustin de las Juntas, Oaxaca, Mexico. Visit www.sierranortewhiskey.com for more information.
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