Our Team

The Hands Behind the Bottle

A small team. A shared standard. A spirit that carries all of them in every drop.
Our Team

PEOPLE FIRST. THEN THE TEQUILA.

Halcón de Oro is the product of a tightly held team — a founder driven by family legacy, two master distillers who have devoted their careers to the craft, and an operations lead who quietly holds the entire process together. We believe a tequila is only as good as the people who make it. So before we tell you about ours, we want you to meet ours.

EDUARDO CORTES ARGÜELLO

Founder & CEO

Eduardo Cortes Argüello is an accomplished businessman whose career spans continents and industries — from healthcare and construction to media, marketing, and retail. But the work that grounds him, and the work that produced Halcón de Oro, is the one closest to home.

Hailing originally from the heart of Mexico, Eduardo’s heritage extends deep into the soul of Jalisco — a region where his family has cultivated agave for generations. With Halcón de Oro, he has returned to that origin with a singular intent: to take the artistry his family has practiced for a lifetime and forge a tequila worthy of the world’s most discerning palates.

“This is about tracing back along ancestral paths to honor a longstanding family legacy, and ultimately, completing the circle to forge the world’s most distinguished Tequila.”

His journey is a fusion of tradition, innovation, and a profound love for his heritage. Every bottle of Halcón de Oro is shaped by it.

Our Team

Master Distillers and operations

Mark Zanders

Mark Zanders

PRESIDENT

Mark Zanders

Mark Zanders

PRESIDENT

Mark is an accomplished entrepreneur and venture capitalist with over 20 years of experience driving growth and innovation at the intersection of entertainment and technology. With a keen eye for emerging trends and a deep understanding of both creative and business dynamics, Mark has built a strong track record of identifying high-potential startups, securing capital, and guiding them toward lasting success.

Known for blending creative vision with financial discipline, Mark has served as a trusted advisor to more than 20 portfolio companies. His strategic guidance has helped founders navigate complex challenges, scale their operations, and achieve sustainable, long-term growth. Mark’s ability to recognize and invest in disruptive ideas continues to position him as a leading voice in venture capital and innovation-focused entrepreneurship.
MONTSERRAT MENDOZA

MONTSERRAT MENDOZA

Master Distiller

MONTSERRAT MENDOZA

MONTSERRAT MENDOZA

Master Distiller

Montserrat Mendoza Jimenez is among the most respected master distillers — maestras tequileras — in the highlands. Her work is defined by a rare combination of scientific precision and intuitive artistry, and by a deep, unwavering commitment to producing tequila without shortcuts.

Montserrat is the architect of our flavor profile. She shapes the rest, the aging, and the balance of each expression — guarding the highland character of the agave through every stage of production. Under her watch, no additive enters the spirit and no batch leaves the distillery until it earns the right to.

She is also one of a small but growing number of women leading the craft of tequila in Mexico — a tradition she carries forward with quiet authority and tremendous grace.
Michael Ward

Michael Ward

MASTER MIXOLOGIST

Michael Ward

Michael Ward

MASTER MIXOLOGIST

With a passion for hospitality and a deep respect for the craft of spirits, Michael has built a career creating exceptional cocktail experiences in some of the industry's most dynamic venues. As a bartender with the renowned TAO Group Hospitality, Michael has honed an elevated approach to mixology, blending technical precision with creativity and an unwavering commitment to guest experience.

Specializing in premium agave spirits, Michael believes that every exceptional cocktail begins with exceptional ingredients. Drawing inspiration from classic techniques and modern innovation, each drink is thoughtfully designed to highlight authenticity, balance, and flavor while creating memorable moments that bring people together.

Whether behind the bar, collaborating with luxury spirit brands, or educating guests on the art of fine tequila, Michael is dedicated to elevating the cocktail experience through craftsmanship, storytelling, and genuine hospitality. Their philosophy is simple: every great spirit deserves to be served with purpose, every cocktail should tell a story, and every guest should leave with an unforgettable experience.
Specification

A HOUSE BUILT ON PEOPLE.

Halcón de Oro is small by choice and personal by design. The team you read about above is the team you'll meet — at a tasting, in a tour, or one day soon, across a table in the highlands of Jalisco.

Learn More About Our Distillery