El Jacal – Pilgrim Route and Vino de cerro

For a trip to El Jacal, its listing on the Ruta del Peregrino, the history of a taberna that made Vino de cerro, and the agave plantations are three distinct points of reference. The plantation information covers one location in El Jacal and another between El Jacal and Sol de Oros; the Raicilla agave landscape in Mascota, by contrast, is part of the wider travel area. This distinction helps you separate information about the town from regional natural features.

El Jacal and the Ruta del Peregrino

The service map from the Secretaría de Turismo de Jalisco lists El Jacal as the twelfth point in the Ameca–Talpa de Allende section of the Ruta del Peregrino. This places the town within a specific section of the pilgrimage route. Individual facilities and services may change, so check the information relevant to your trip in advance.

Taberna and Vino de cerro

A 2022 anthropological study locates a taberna in El Jacal at the same site as Gerardo Peña’s house. Peña made Vino de cerro there. His wife and daughters carried out the work required to produce it. The study also describes how Peña’s daughters cared for the plantations; married daughters were supported by their husbands and paid for their work. For travelers interested in local beverage production and its family organization, this provides a concrete historical connection to the place.

Agave plantations and acreage

According to the study, Peña had two agave plantations: one in El Jacal and the other between El Jacal and Sol de Oros. Both were on a property of about 30 hectares, around 10 hectares of which were cultivated. The number of agave plants was estimated at about 30,000. These acreage and stock figures come from the 2022 study and may change. They distinguish the total area from the cultivated area; the number of plants is explicitly an estimate.

Cultivation and landscape

Some pine and oak trees were retained between the agaves. The staggered layout was intended to prevent or reduce soil erosion. New plantings were made annually in small areas to ensure a continuous supply of raw material. Brush cutters were used to manage vegetation around the agaves and avoid agrochemicals; the cuttings were left on the ground to generate organic matter. The account thus describes cultivation that takes into consideration not only agave production, but also tree cover, soil conservation, and the use of plant residues.

Raicilla agave landscape in the travel area

The Raicilla agave landscape is in Mascota, within the wider travel area. It is designated as a natural attraction and draws national, local, and regional tourism. Possible activities include cultural and nature tourism, photo safaris, and flora observation. This reference applies to Mascota; the Peña plantations, by contrast, are located in El Jacal and between El Jacal and Sol de Oros. If you are planning specific activities, check tours, access, and permissions for private land separately.

Discover more destinations: Arandas, Guachicmonton, La Cruz De Loreto, Unión de Guadalupe, Chapala, San Nicolás, San Isidro Mazatepec, Ipala

For the wider travel overview: Jalisco.