New Excursion Program "Road to Raicilla" at Four Seasons Resort
Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, situated in the picturesque Punta Mita, Mexico, has recently unveiled a new cultural initiative, "The Road to Raicilla," aimed at introducing its guests to the traditional Mexican spirit, raicilla. This series of unique excursions is designed to explore the rich history and diverse production methods of one of Mexico's oldest spirits, which remains relatively unknown on the global stage.
Despite its long history and recent recognition with a domain origin designation in 2019, raicilla has not achieved the same international fame as other Mexican spirits like tequila and mezcal. Naviva’s innovative program seeks to change this by offering an in-depth look at the spirit's artisanal production processes and its cultural significance in Mexico.
The resort offers two distinct excursion paths: the coastal and the mountainous routes. The coastal experience takes guests on a historical journey by boat, tracing the paths once used by raicilla smugglers. This adventure includes visits to local distilleries in secluded communities, where guests can learn about and taste the coastal variety of raicilla. The mountainous excursion, on the other hand, leads guests through the Jalisco highlands to the village of San Sebastián del Oeste, offering them a chance to experience the traditional methods of raicilla production firsthand and sample the mountain variety.
Eduardo Sampere, the Resort Manager at Naviva, emphasized the uniqueness of these experiences, stating that they offer an exploration into an "undiscovered side of Mexico" thanks to the resort's intimate size and its deep connections within the local communities.
Priced at $5,000 for the coastal journey and $2,000 for the mountainous route, the excursions are an investment into the local economy, directly supporting the artisans and communities involved. Additionally, guests participating in these excursions have the opportunity to bring home exclusive raicilla samples, further extending their cultural experience.