Jalisco produces most of the tequila made under Mexico’s denomination of origin.
Jalisco is the historic center of tequila production and contains the town of Tequila, which gave the spirit its name. Its volcanic soils, climate, agave-growing traditions, and concentration of distilleries have made the state the industry’s principal region. Major production areas include the Valles and Los Altos zones.
Mexico’s protected tequila region also includes specified municipalities in Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. However, inclusion in the denomination of origin does not mean those states produce equal volumes. Jalisco remains dominant in cultivation, distillation, tourism, and international recognition.
This is different from saying that every agave spirit from Jalisco is tequila. Producers must follow Mexico’s official tequila rules, including the permitted agave species, production requirements, and authorized geographic area.