Casamata Blanco earns one of the competition's highest distinctions, while Tierra Noble Blanco secures Double Gold and Best Blanco Tequila finalist recognition at San Francisco World Spirits Competition
MAZAMITLA, MEXICO, October 28, 2026
Casa Tierra Noble, founded by the Herrera family and led by brothers Octavio and Alberto, celebrates Tierra Noble and Casamata brand tequilas experiencing a landmark year of international recognition for its high-altitude tequila. Led by Casamata Blanco’s prestigious Trophy Award win at the 2026 International Spirits Challenge (ISC), the latest honors also recognize Tierra Noble Blanco and Tierra Noble Reposado, reinforcing the quality of a portfolio shaped by contrasting agave-growing regions, one of the world’s highest-elevation tequila distilleries and a distinctive approach to fermentation and distillation.
Casamata Blanco received both the coveted Trophy Award as well as the highly distinguished Double Gold at the 2026 International Spirits Challenge, becoming one of only two tequilas to earn a Trophy at this year’s competition and the only Blanco tequila to receive the distinction. Announced October 6th in London, the ISC Trophy represents the competition’s highest level of recognition, reserved for heralded spirits demonstrating exceptional quality through rigorous blind tasting.
The success of Casa Tierra Noble extended across its portfolio with both Tierra Noble Blanco and Tierra Noble Reposado each earning Gold medals at the ISC, while Tierra Noble Blanco secured Double Gold and was named a finalist for Best Blanco Tequila at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Tierra Noble Reposado and Casamata Blanco also received Silver medals at the SFWSC.
“These industry recognitions are particularly meaningful because they reflect decisions we make long before our tequilas are ever poured into a bottle,” said Alberto Herrera, Master Tequilero at Casa Tierra Noble. “From combining agave grown in different regions of Jalisco to fermenting at 7,200 feet above sea level, every step of our production process is intended to develop greater complexity, nuanced texture and unparalleled balance. We believe exceptional tequila comes from understanding not only how something is made, but why each decision in the process matters. To see that philosophy recognized internationally is an extraordinary honor.”
Two Distinct Terroirs, One Expression of Quality
At Casa Tierra Noble, the pursuit of exceptional tequila begins with the agave itself – and an appreciation for how the land on which it grows influences the finished spirit. Rather than relying on a single growing region, the house sources Blue Weber agave from Los Altos de Jalisco in addition to the Tequila Valley, two varied areas distinguished by contrasting soils, elevations and climates.
In Los Altos, higher elevations, cooler nights and iron-rich red soils are commonly associated with agave exhibiting sweeter, more floral and fruit-forward characteristics. The warmer Tequila Valley, with its volcanic soils and different growing conditions, is often associated with earthier, more herbal and mineral-driven profiles. By combining agave from these two regions, Casa Tierra Noble seeks to draw on their complementary characteristics, creating greater aromatic depth and balance. Much like the concept of terroir in fine wine, the relationship between climate, soil and agricultural origin becomes a defining element of Casa Tierra Noble’s approach to crafting tequila.
Crafted at 7,200 Feet: Where Altitude Shapes the Process
The agave’s journey continues at Casa Tierra Noble’s La Estacada distillery in Jalisco’s Sierra del Tigre mountains, approximately 7,200 feet above sea level – among the highest-elevation tequila distilleries in the world.
The rugged mountain environment provides cooler ambient conditions that help support slower, more controlled fermentation. This extended process is intended to preserve the aromatic character of the cooked agave while allowing greater control over the development of the spirit’s flavor and texture.
Under Herrera’s direction, Casa Tierra Noble uses specialized enological yeasts and a two-stage fermentation approach incorporating both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, with the latter being a technique more commonly associated with winemaking. This additional fermentation stage can influence texture and aromatic character, contributing to the rounded, layered sensory profile the house seeks to achieve.
The approach extends beyond fermentation. Casa Tierra Noble employs slow distillation in elongated stills and explores historical techniques through selected expressions, including fermentation in clay vessels known as tinajas and harmonization in glass damajuanas.
Casamata Blanco, the recipient of this year’s ISC Trophy, undergoes harmonization in glass demijohns, a technique intended to refine the spirit’s profile while preserving the character of its agave. Meanwhile, Tierra Noble Tinajas 100, a Blanco expression bottled at 50% alcohol by volume, uses clay-vessel fermentation to explore additional texture and aromatic complexity.
Together, these production choices reflect the philosophy that has guided Herrera throughout his career: “Where there is reason, there is mastery.” Rather than treating tradition as a fixed formula, Casa Tierra Noble examines the purpose behind each technique and its contribution to the finished tequila.
Building on a History of International Recognition
The 2026 achievements build on Casa Tierra Noble’s established history of international recognition. In 2024, Tierra Noble Blanco earned Double Gold at the New Zealand Spirits Awards, while additional accolades followed at the 2025 London Spirits Competition with Tierra Noble Reposado, Tierra Noble Reposado Cristalino, Tierra Noble Añejo and Tierra Noble Exquisito Extra Añejo receiving Bronze medals. These earlier results, together with this year’s major international honors, underscore the breadth of recognition across Casa Tierra Noble’s portfolio: from unaged Blanco expressions to aged and specialty tequilas.
An Award-Winning Partnership Across the Americas
For ZONIN1821, one of Italy’s leading family-owned wine companies, Casa Tierra Noble’s latest achievements exemplify the qualities it seeks in partnering with independent producers: exceptional liquid credentials, an authentic point of difference and potential to generate commercial success, while building meaningful connections with consumers.
Through its Americas business, ZONIN1821 partners with independent wine and spirits suppliers to strengthen their commercial presence, bringing distinctive, independently produced, authentic brands to market alongside its portfolio of award-winning Italian still and sparkling wines.
“To see Casamata Blanco earn an International Spirits Challenge Trophy, alongside Tierra Noble’s impressive achievements at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, is an extraordinary endorsement of the craftsmanship behind these brands,” said Rob Gelwicks, Managing Director – Americas, ZONIN1821. “Casa Tierra Noble represents exactly the kind of producer we value partnering with – one that combines authenticity, innovation and a genuine commitment to quality. These latest honors reinforce our confidence in the brands and the opportunities we see for Casa Tierra Noble in the US.”
With its latest international accolades, Casa Tierra Noble continues to demonstrate how a deep understanding of agave origins, technical precision and a willingness to revisit traditional methods can produce tequilas recognized for their quality on the world stage.
About Casa Tierra Noble
Casa Tierra Noble is a family-owned tequila house based in Mazamitla, Jalisco, Mexico. Guided by engineer and Master Tequilero Alberto Herrera, the company produces Tierra Noble and Casamata tequilas at its La Estacada distillery in the Sierra del Tigre mountains, approximately 7,200 feet above sea level. Drawing agave from both Los Altos de Jalisco and the Tequila Valley, the Tierra Noble house of tequila combines contrasting terroirs with specialized fermentation, controlled distillation and time-honored historical production techniques to craft distinctive expressions of premium tequila.
The Tierra Noble portfolio includes Tierra Noble Blanco, Tierra Noble Reposado, Tierra Noble Añejo, Tierra Noble Franco, Tierra Noble Tinajas 100, Tierra Noble 4º Cuarto and Tierra Noble Exquisito, alongside portfolio mate, Casamata. Guided by the philosophy “Where there is reason, there is mastery,” Casa Tierra Noble seeks to craft tequilas distinguished by aromatic complexity, unrivaled balance and a clear sense of origin.
For more information, visit www.tierranoble.com.
About ZONIN1821
Founded in 1821, ZONIN1821 is one of Italy’s leading independent, family-owned wine companies, guided by seven generations of family ownership and more than two centuries of winemaking heritage. Combining respect for Italian wine traditions with sustainable viticulture, modern winemaking and international commercial expertise, the company produces and markets a diverse portfolio of award-winning still and sparkling wines. Its Italian wine portfolio includes Zonin, Castello di Albola, Ca’ Bolani, Castello del Poggio, Rocca di Montemassi, Oltrenero, Masseria Altemura, Principi di Butera and Bocelli 1831.
Beyond its proprietary wine portfolio, ZONIN1821’s Americas business serves as a strategic distribution partner for a growing collection of independent wine and spirits suppliers, which collectively feature premium brands including: Tierra Noble and Casamata Tequilas, Pampero Rum, Rosso Antico Vermouth, Benvenuti Limoncello as well as The Dubliner and Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskies, O’Mara’s Irish Cream in addition to Tensley Wines by Joey Tensley and Beau Joie Champagne where Christina Aguilera serves as Creative Director.
For more on Zonin1821, visit www.zonin1821.com.
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Stuart Kirby
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