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The Tequila King of the World
by Jack M. Peaker

Career number two lasted 15 years and was packed with memorable experiences and fascinating people. One unforgettable one began at the office in Guelph, starting with a phone call from John Fisher, known at that time as Mr. Canada.

He had been contacted by Sauza of Mexico who wanted to introduce their Tequila to Canada. Did we need a trophy for the upcoming Royal Winter Fair? We did. As manager of the Canadian Angus Association we were starting a Junior Heifer Show and needed something to present to the winner. Their trophy would be a replica of the 'Goddess of Mescal'. Mescal is the cactus plant from which tequila is manufactured. Then began a series of presentations for several of the November shows. Senor Sauza would bring his entourage to Toronto and as he presented the trophy in the main ring would be introduced as "The Tequila King Of The World"

After about 5 years he invited us to Guadalajara the home of Tequila Sauza. We accepted. Our Camina Real hotel room included floral arrangements, 6 year old Tequila and luxuries. First visit next day was to his farm to view his herd of Angus cattle. Senor Sauza was presenting an entire Computer Department to Guadalajara University that morning. Next stop was to a mescal plantation where a colourfully uniformed fellow with a machete demonstrated how the five year old, pineapple like, cactii were harvested. Then on to the town appropriately called Tequila where at the distillery we were dazzled with all the shining vats of stainless steel. Prior to that trip we had thought of Tequila as a type of "bathtub gin". Then, followed a lunch to be remembered. Senor Sauza traveled to the restaurant following his University presentation with an armed guard in his vehicle. We went there with his daughter, who was sales manager and son-in-law, who was office manager. We were the sole patrons and nearly outnumbered by the serving staff. Following the main coarse a string quartet encircled us and asked for requests. Iris requested "Maria Elena" which was romantically serenaded. Later in the day we went back to the Camina Real on the other side of the city. On the way in we stopped to witness a Cock Fight in a pit on the spacious lawn and surrounded by elegantly garbed ladies and gentlemen. Dinner was hosted by the Tequila Sauza sales manager and office manager. It included many courses and as we were enjoying our lobster we were surrounded with a familiar looking string quartet playing "Maria Elena".

Following my work in Guadalajara it was felt we had earned a vacation. We had booked accommodation at the Posed Vallarta which in 1977 was the only hotel in Puerto Vallarta. When we told Senor Sauza of our plans he said "you can stay at my condominium in Puerto Vallarta".

We felt the Tequila King had already exceeded his hospitality.-

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Written by Jack M. Peaker, a member of the Evergreen Writer's Club in Guelph, Ontario.


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