Mezcal El Silencio's Fausto Zapata on his favorite things

When Fausto Zapata launched Mezcal El Silencio in September 2013 with business partner Vicente Cisneros, he was motivated by the desire to honor a sense of community and tradition he says is rooted deep in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Growing up in Mexico City, Zapata, 50, says he would travel to the state of Oaxaca frequently. There was always a party, a wedding, or a holiday to be had there. He says it’s one of the “culinary capitals of Mexico” and a big part of its culture is eating the delicious food and, yes, “sipping mezcal.”

“I wanted to share the whole package, for me I wanted to take this spirit of this place and bring it out to the world,” Zapata says. “We aren’t just bringing Mezcal El Silencio to people, but we are bringing Oaxaca, the stories that are told and shared over a dinner table.”

Zapata spoke with me about some of his favorite things -- from Casa Silencio, the eco-focused retreat located right in the middle of the company’s distillery, to his favorite neighborhoods in the world to the best book he's read recently, and more.

Our conversation for Barron's Penta here.

Images: Fausto Zapata/Mezcal El Silencio