To Señor Rio Tequila co-founder and CEO Debbie Medina-Gach, every bottle of her tequila brand is a story of love, legacy, and determination. From an encounter by fate that became a lifelong affair to creating the award-winning tequila brand and now authoring an emotional cocktail book, Debbie's tale teaches us that good stories, like good spirits, only get better with time.
The Gilbert business owner began Señor Rio Tequila with her late husband, Jonathan Gach, in 2007 using her three-generation-old Mexican family recipe. What was a love affair has become a successful legacy that includes an award-winning spirits business, a philanthropic foundation, and her newly published book, One Bottle at a Time: A True Love Story with 50 Tequila Craft Cocktails. The book features a foreword by her friend and business partner, actor Joe Mantegna of “Criminal Minds” and “The Godfather Part III”.
"At its heart, it's a love story about two people who met later in life through the simple ring of a doorbell," Debbie says. "That single action set us off on an incredible journey that became Señor Rio."
Her first published book is a beautifully blended combination of tequila cocktail recipes and personal stories. Each of the craft cocktails were created by her friend and Tucson mixologist Carlos Ruiz, complementing the story behind the bottle. "This book feels like a diary of our struggles and successes, the tale of love, loss, and legacy, all expressed through these amazing, handcrafted cocktails," she explains.
The book has previously been awarded by the International Book Awards in the category of Inspirational Memoir and has received five-star Amazon reviews.
Debbie began writing first when Jonathan was undergoing chemotherapy with the intention of preserving their experiences and the story of Señor Rio. After his passing, she shelved the project for 7 years until she found the strength to share it. "This book was a labor of love," she says. "It's filled with memories, emotions, and the same passion we put into every bottle of Señor Rio."
Proceeds from her book and Señor Rio Tequila sales go towards supporting the We Care Crusade foundation. Established in 2021, this nonprofit organization was created by Debbie and is dedicated to her twin granddaughters, Katalina and Klaudia ages 9, who were diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome, a rare genetic neurological disorder.
"Family has always been the target of my work," says Debbie. "Having special-needs granddaughters provided me with insight into the struggles families experience every day. With We Care Crusade, we are committed in helping to make a difference one child, one family at a time."
The organization provides financial assistance, therapy support, and respite care for families that care for children with disabilities. "Each child is a blessing," she goes on. "Our mission is to remind them that they are not by themselves."
For Debbie, the holiday season is a time to celebrate together, and raise a toast to life's sweetest treasures. "One of our favorite holiday traditions is to have a sip of tequila following Christmas dinner," she says. "We pull out our Reposado and Añejo and serve them in beautiful stemware, accompanied by slices of oranges sprinkled with cinnamon. It's our way to remember, give thanks, and toast those moments that count the most.”
With the holidays approaching, One Bottle at a Time is the gift that continues to give and paired with a Señor Rio Tequila bottle, it can be the ultimate holiday match. Based in the local community and is a minority woman-owned company, Señor Rio Tequila is available in stores at Total Wine & More locations across the nation.
“The book can be the perfect gift when it is paired with a bottle of Señor Rio Tequila,” shares Debbie. "They are both infused with love, care, craftsmanship, and a story to be shared."
This debut book is now available on Amazon, The Collective shop in Gilbert, and www.SenorRio.com