Got agave? San Marcos distiller proposes local chapter of tequila academy

Philip Soto Mares stands behind a blue agave plant outside his San Marcos home. The plant is used to make tequila such as his El Duende brand which should hit shelves next February. Soto, the only person outside Mexico authorized to conduct tequila tastings, plans to propose a local chapter of La Academia Mexicana del Tequila in San Marcos. The school would include a tequila museum and a distillery for demonstrations. <br><small><B> GARY WARTH </B>Staff Photographer</small> <br><A HREF="https://secure.townnews.com/nctimes.com/forms/photo_services/linkorder.php?des= Photo by Gary Warth/ Philip Soto Mares stands behind a blue agave plant outside his San Marcos home. The plant is used to make tequila such as his El Duende brand which should hit shelves next February. Soto, the only person outside Mexico authorized to conduct tequila tastings, plans to propose a local chapter of La Academia Mexicana del Tequila in San Marcos. The school would include a tequila museum and a distillery for demonstrations. " target="new">Order a copy of this photo</A> <!— <br><A HREF="XXXXXXXXXXXXXX">More of this story</A> —> <br> <A HREF="http://www.nctimes.com/news/photogallery/" target="new">Visit our Photo Gallery</A> <br> <hr width="250">