Choosing an Educational Mezcal Excursion from Oaxaca: A Q&A with Alvin Starkman

Alvin Starkman, owner of Mezcal Educational Tours of Oaxaca
Interview by Ken Gardner for MexPat Guide. Edited from Alvin’s written answers.

An excursion from Oaxaca can introduce visitors to the people, equipment and cultural traditions behind mezcal. Choosing one involves more than counting stops or tastings: the length of the day, group size, transport, access and written inclusions all matter.

Alvin Starkman explains how his educational excursions work, what visitors can learn at small family distilleries, and what to clarify before booking. His answers describe his own operation and experience. They are not a guarantee that another provider offers the same arrangements.

1. Who are your excursions for, and how do one-day and longer visits differ?

My name is Alvin Starkman, and I own Mezcal Educational Tours of Oaxaca. Our work is dedicated to teaching about mezcal.

We take novices, mezcal and other spirits enthusiasts, and industry professionals into rural Oaxaca to visit small, family-owned and operated distilleries. These producers use ancestral clay pots and artisanal copper alembics to distil the agave spirit.

A one-day excursion suits visitors who want a detailed, up-close introduction to these two methods, and usually an opportunity to visit the home of a family of Zapotec-speaking distillers, known locally as palenqueros. Clients are typically able to sample the sweet baked agave which has been removed from the in-ground oven, the liquid as it is fermenting, and the mezcal as it drips out of the still.

For those with more time and interest, we also offer two- or three-day experiences in different districts. These can include families using refrescadera equipment, other clay-pot methods, and distilleries farther into the mountains.

2. What makes the day educational, and how do group size and purchases fit in?

Our focus is on personalised, private excursions, unless clients are open to others joining them. Groups can range from one person to several people, and sometimes 20 or more. We prefer smaller groups because they give us more time to answer questions and interact with visitors.

The day covers Oaxacan cultural traditions, particularly Zapotec traditions, as well as agave growing and harvesting and the stages of production: baking, crushing, fermenting and distilling.

There are opportunities to sample and buy mezcal, but no obligation to buy. Purchases can assist the families financially, and we also compensate the families ourselves. Visitors should not feel guilty if they do not want to purchase anything.

3. How is the price calculated, and what does it include?

Our prices depend on the number of people in the group and are based on an hourly rate. They include transportation during the day, sampling, translation if required, and pickup and drop-off at downtown Oaxaca lodging. We usually begin between 9 and 9:30 a.m.

Lunch, accommodation and flights are excluded from the quoted price. We provide the vehicle and driver and do not arrange services through third parties.

There are no entrance fees at the facilities we visit. Photographs are permitted and encouraged on our visits.

Editorial note: Ask for a written quote that identifies the planned hours, pickup and return arrangements, and any extra-hour charges. Budget separately for lunch, accommodation, flights and optional purchases. Ask permission before photographing individual people or private spaces.

4. When should visitors enquire, and what should they confirm about changes?

Teaching about fermented agave drinks, such as pulque, and distilled agave spirits is our full-time passion but a part-time job. Contact us as soon as you are considering a visit to Oaxaca. We do our best to accommodate last-minute requests, but it is better not to wait until you are already here.

When we receive an enquiry, we explain the cancellation policy, deposit details and other arrangements. In our experience, weather is usually not a barrier to providing a comprehensive mezcal education during either the dry or rainy season, or in hot or cool months.

Editorial note: Confirm the deposit, cancellation and refund terms in writing, including what happens if weather, road conditions or a producer’s availability changes the itinerary. A usual operating pattern is not a promise that every visit can proceed unchanged.

5. Can non-drinkers, families and people with access needs take part?

Tastings are optional. Not drinking does not prevent someone from enjoying and learning during the day. The experience is as much about culture as it is about mezcal. We provide the vehicle and driver. Neither I nor our drivers drink while driving.

Our visits generally require very little walking or climbing and do not involve hiking, trekking or steep inclines. There can be some uneven surfaces, including well-packed unpaved ground. One stop has a single set of stairs, but we can accommodate people who cannot use it. Visitors should discuss the arrangements they need before booking.

For one to four people, we usually use an SUV such as a Toyota RAV4 or Ford Escape. Larger groups travel in a touring van with a single step. There is toilet access at every stop.

We recommend a lunch stop. There is no specific dietary requirement for taking part, but visitors should discuss their own needs beforehand.

Children and seniors are welcome. We can discuss tailoring the day to the family. Depending on the visit, children may have opportunities to interact with farm animals and distillers’ children, work with clay, paint wooden animals or learn about natural dyes.

Editorial note: Age alone does not establish whether an itinerary is suitable. Confirm the particular surfaces, steps, vehicle access, seating, toilet facilities and any dietary needs before booking. Families should plan children’s participation around non-drinking activities. Article 220 of Mexico’s General Health Law prohibits selling or supplying alcoholic beverages to minors. Parental permission should not be presented as an exception. Adults who choose to taste should agree on safe transport and confirm the operator’s arrangements before booking.

Official reference: Mexico’s General Health Law, Article 220: https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/LGS.pdf

6. What planning mistakes do you see most often?

The most common mistake I see is visitors returning home and realising they should have purchased more mezcal.

Some visitors make an early dinner reservation without allowing for a long excursion day or time to relax and get ready afterwards.

Others buy bottles independently or on another tour without checking the packaging and travel rules. Bottles that are not properly sealed or labelled can cause difficulties with an airline or customs. We discuss airline and destination-country requirements with clients, but they should confirm the rules for their own journey before purchasing bottles to take home.

Editorial note: Carry-on liquids rules, airline dangerous-goods limits and destination customs allowances are separate checks. There is no universal rule that all alcohol is prohibited in carry-on baggage. Check your departure and connecting airports, airline and destination customs authority for the exact route and product. For example, Canada’s CATSA lists limited carry-on quantities and separate checked-baggage conditions; this is not a rule for every flight departing Mexico.

CATSA reference: https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/what-can-bring/item/alcoholwine-other-duty-free

Before booking

Confirm the educational focus and likely length of the day; whether the group is private or shared; the written price and inclusions; pickup, return and driver arrangements; access and dietary requirements; optional non-drinking participation; and cancellation terms. If taking bottles home, check the rules for the full journey before buying.

About the contributor

Alvin Starkman is the owner of Mezcal Educational Tours of Oaxaca. His excursions focus on mezcal production and Oaxacan cultural traditions through visits to small family distilleries.

Professional link: https://www.mezcaleducationaltours.com/

About the Author

Ken Gardner

Ken Gardner develops and curates MexPat Guide from Vancouver, Canada. He focuses on Mexico relocation research and practical comparison questions. This is educational planning information, not a claim of local residence or individual immigration advice.

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Published October 27, 2026