Be part of history and the future! Join us at Mission Garden to plant agave in the traditional Hohokam style, inspired by ancient plantings on Tumamoc Hill. These agave plants will provide food for bat pollinators and may even become part of a future festival’s roasting pit.

No experience is needed, and families are encouraged to join! We’ll provide all tools and gloves—just bring your enthusiasm, long pants, and a hat for sun protection.

The Howard Scott Gentry Award was established in 2017 by Dr. Gary Nabhan and the Agave Heritage Festival to recognize leaders in binational collaborative research on agave conservation and use.

In 2025, we recognize Diana Pinzón and Faby Torres Monfils for their leadership and uncompromising commitment to core values of the cultural and ecological connections and foundations that support mezcal production. 

Previous Gentry Awardees

2017: Ana Guadalupe Valenzuela Zapata

2018: Patricia Coluinga and Daniel Zizumbo Villareal

2019: Tony Burgess

2022: Luis Egiarte and Valeria Souza

2023: Carlos Camarena

Gary Nabhan (Honorary Gentry Award)

2024: César Iván Ojeda Linares

2025: Diana Carolina Pinzón and Fabiola “Faby” Torres Monfils

Under the spell of a beautiful Spring Tucson night, explore the best downtown has to offer. Begin your journey with an intimate mezcal toast, then pick your own adventure among the 12 participating bars and restaurants. Explore mezcal’s smoky mystique with expertly crafted cocktails, tantalizing bites, and the story of agave in every sip. Your ticket includes a veladora, lanyard, and access to a curated collection of mezcal tastings and pairings at each decadent stop.

*The night starts with check-in at The Playground with welcome toasts at 6pm and 7pm

2025 Participating Bars

• Cruda

• Sonoran Moonshine

• The Playground

• The Monica

• RBar

• AC Marriott

• The Century Room

• La Chingada

• Batch

• Highwire

Immerse yourself in the world of agave excellence with an exclusive educational tasting experience featuring Los Cantiles 1905 Spirits at Bar Crisol.

Guided by renowned experts Omhar and Carlos Acuña, this refined tasting journey explores the intricate flavors, distinct terroir, and centuries-old techniques that define Northern Spirits. Each sip is a testament to heritage, sustainability, and the artistry of agave distillation along the borderlands.

Join us for an evening where tradition meets innovation and let the spirit of agave tell its story.

Join us at Tap & Bottle North for an exclusive educational tasting featuring La Gritona, a brand that celebrates sustainability and artisanal craftsmanship. The simplicity of one plant, one expression of tequila, and countless aspects of how to create one of the best reposados on the market. Importers Matt Luem and Kevin Willis share their passion and expertise around the culture of agave spirits.

Two of the best mezcal bars unite for an unforgettable night in Tucson! LA's Madre takes over Bar Crisol, showcasing the bold flavors of Los Cantiles 1905, a renowned bacanora brand. Sip on expertly crafted agave cocktails, enjoy neat pours, and experience the rich tradition of bacanora in this one-night-only celebration of mezcal culture and borderland heritage.

A Future Inspired By Agave
9am-6pm | Free | 21+

*Registration with approved invitation only

The 2025 Summit will be a day of action focused on bringing the vision of the City of Century plants to reality.
Tucson and Southern Arizona can be the Region of Century Plants: uniting communities across borders to foster agave sustainability, cultural heritage, and economic resilience for future generations.

Morning Sessions

• Climate Smart Heritage Foods

• Market Expansion of Bacanora into the US

• Arts and Storytelling

Afternoon Sessions

• Business, Branding, Sense of Place with Agave as the Anchor

• Bat Friendly & Beyond, creating a label for agave sustainability in the borderlands

• Open for topic established day of

A Culinary Tribute to the Sonoran Desert
6-9pm | $196 inclusive | 21+

Continuing the culinary excellence of the Agave Heritage Festival, this extraordinary five-course dining experience brings together the region’s finest flavors at Maynards Kitchen & Bottle Shop.

Led by Maynards’ new Executive Chef, Roderick LeDesma, this thoughtfully crafted menu highlights the rich bounty of the Sonoran Desert, blending traditional ingredients with modern, innovative techniques. Each course is expertly paired with La Gritona Reposado Tequila—a distinguished, female- and family-owned distillery led by Melly Barajas—featuring both neat pours and artful cocktails that enhance the flavors of each dish.

This exclusive dining event is presented in collaboration with the Center for Regional Food Studies and the Southwest Center, celebrating the deep-rooted cultural and culinary heritage of the borderlands.

Join us for an unforgettable evening where food, tequila, and tradition come together in an immersive celebration of agave and regional gastronomy.

Time TBD | Price TBD | 21+

Join us for an intimate Guided Tasting at Bar Crisol, featuring the exceptional agave sprits of NETA & PM Spirits. This exclusive event invites guests to explore the rich traditions and terroir-driven expressions of agave spirits from the southern valleys of Oaxaca.

9-close | Cash Bar | 21+

Step into an evening of innovative agave cocktails as Aaron DeFeo, owner of Little Rituals and founder of Tequila Fest (est. 2008), returns to Hotel Congress—where it all began. A Tucson native and James Beard Award semi-finalist, Aaron brings his signature creativity to this one-night-only bar takeover, featuring masterfully crafted cocktails with Cambio Tequila, Del Maguey, and Lost Explorer.

Don’t miss this legendary homecoming, where bold flavors, agave artistry, and Tucson’s rich cocktail culture take center stage.

Raise a glass to the roots of the Agave Heritage Festival and experience a night of boundary-pushing mixology in the heart of Tucson.

Lecture: 10:00 - 11:30 AM | All Ages

Open Garden Hours: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM | All Ages

The Next Generation of Sonoran Desert Researchers (N-Gen) and the Agave Heritage Festival Lifetime Career Award honors those whose work is a cornerstone in understanding agave’s cultural and ecological significance, shaping the agave world we love today.

This year, we recognize Paul and Suzy Fish's pioneering research on ancient agave cultivation and its role in the Sonoran Desert’s rich history. Through decades of archaeological and ecological work, they have uncovered how traditional farming practices shaped the landscape and its thriving communities. In their talk, Paul and Suzy will reveal hidden landscapes and share how ancient farmers used to grow agave in the Tucson basin.

Before or after the lecture, take time to explore and support Mission Garden, Tucson’s living agricultural museum. Wander through vibrant heritage crop plots, including agave plantings that echo the traditions Paul and Suzy have studied. The garden will be open during event hours, offering a unique opportunity to connect with the landscape that has sustained desert communities for centuries.

Drop-in Panels and Mezcal Tastings: 11:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Panels - All Ages, Tasting - 21+| FREE

Explore the cultural, agricultural, and market potential of agave in this interactive, drop-in series. Featuring expert-led panels, mezcal tastings from our amazing partners like Raices Imports, and sponsor showcases, this session highlights sustainable agriculture, cross-border collaboration, and creative innovations shaping the future of agave.

Panel topics will include:

• Agave’s Cultural and Historical Legacy in Food and Fiber

• Art and Storytelling in Agave Culture

• Cross-Border Sustainable Agriculture and Agave Cultivation

• Collaboration to Expand US-Mexico Agave Markets

• and more!

Additional program and presenter details to come!

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with experts, taste regional agave spirits, and explore agave’s role in sustainability and cultural resilience!

This year’s Drawing Room Discussions are presented in partnership with Mezcalistas

7-10pm | $65 early bird, $75 after 2/22 | 21+

Step into the epicenter of Tucson’s agave culture at Agave Fiesta, the event that first ignited the Agave Heritage Festival in 2008 and continues to be a cornerstone of the celebration. This immersive experience brings together over 50 artisanal and ancestral agave spirits, crafted by master distillers who honor time-honored traditions while shaping the future of agave production.

Taste the legacy. From mezcal and tequila to bacanora and sotol, each sip tells a story of heritage, sustainability, and craftsmanship—woven together by the hands of those who have preserved this ancient spirit for generations. Engage with industry experts as they share insights on agave culture, terroir, distillation techniques, and the historical significance of these revered spirits.

Beyond the spirits, Agave Fiesta is a vibrant sensory experience. Enjoy expertly crafted agave cocktails, soak in the energy of live music, and indulge in a thoughtfully curated light bites from Borderlands Brewing, where regional flavors meet agave-inspired pairings.

What’s Included with Your Ticket:

• Festival shot glass

• 4 agave spirit samples

• 2 agave cocktails

• 1 sample of a heritage beer

• Inspired light bites

Join us for an unforgettable evening where tradition, artistry, and celebration come together in every sip. Raise your glass to the past, present, and future of agave.

Guided Tour: 10:00 - 11:30 AM

Plant Sale: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Explore the innovative conservation efforts of Borderlands Restoration Network and Bat Conservation International against the stunning backdrop of Patagonia, Arizona. This event features a guided tour of restoration sites, nectar-feeding bat conservation projects, and a native plant sale to support regional agave conservation efforts, showcasing species that enhance regional sustainability, support wildlife, and foster biodiversity.

Support the vital efforts of these organizations by visiting the donation pages for Borderlands Restoration Network and Bat Conservation International. Your contribution helps advance their impactful work in conservation and biodiversity.