Roberto's Biography
Roberto Contreras is a fourth-generation cattle rancher and Bacanora maker on the 2500 hectares Rancho Tepúa located in the hills east of Aconchi, Rio Sonora. His father Roberto senior pioneered the exportation of Bacanora under the brand Cielo Rojo and is still the "maestro bacanorero" of the operation, now called Rancho which Roberto junior now primarily manages.
Although other brands are on the market these days, Rancho Tepúa is a leader in the industry. It's also worth noting that RT began planting Agave angustifolia (which by law is the species that must be used for Bacanora production) on the ranch at least ten years ago, before the 2012 freeze that destroyed all the agave. Like every Bacanora maker, they are now dependent on other regions of Sonora, mainly in the south near Alamos, for their agave supply. This isn't sustainable and is increasingly expensive. Roberto is diligently working to grow their own sustainable plant supply becoming a model for others.
Beyond the specifics of Bacanora, the Contrerases are self-trained in a broader conservation pragmatics including practicing rotational grazing. In addition to ranching and Bacanora production, Rancho Tepúa are game managers hosting hunting trips on their land that is prolific in coues and mule deer.
Although other brands are on the market these days, Rancho Tepúa is a leader in the industry. It's also worth noting that RT began planting Agave angustifolia (which by law is the species that must be used for Bacanora production) on the ranch at least ten years ago, before the 2012 freeze that destroyed all the agave. Like every Bacanora maker, they are now dependent on other regions of Sonora, mainly in the south near Alamos, for their agave supply. This isn't sustainable and is increasingly expensive. Roberto is diligently working to grow their own sustainable plant supply becoming a model for others.
Beyond the specifics of Bacanora, the Contrerases are self-trained in a broader conservation pragmatics including practicing rotational grazing. In addition to ranching and Bacanora production, Rancho Tepúa are game managers hosting hunting trips on their land that is prolific in coues and mule deer.