The life of tequila

For his latest project, "Aliento A Tequila", Austin-based photographer Joel Salcido documented the "world of tequila." His stunning images, currently on view in Marfa, Texas, capture everything from agave plants to harvesters to the culture of the Mexican towns where the traditional spirit is produced.

The photos will be on exhibit in Marfa through July 14, 2013 and will then travel throughout Texas. Visit the project's website to learn more.

In this photo, a seasoned jimador (agave harvester) holds the sprouts that will be used to propagate the agave plant in the fields in order to feed the demand for the blue agave by the tequila industry. It will take approximately 6-8 years, or more, for these sprouts to produce a prime pi

Euforia (Euphoria)

The town of Tequila hosts a fireworks celebration in which people chase a makeshift bull loaded with fireworks and chasers. Mexican revelers of all ages gather in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe. These celebrations can last as long as a week in many towns in the state of Jalisco.

Atotonilco el Alto

Atotonilco el Alto, one of the foremost towns in the state of Jalisco, is where Tequila Don Julio, Patron, Siete Leguas and other tequila distilleries are found. This blue agave landscape features a pitahayo cactus at sunrise where soil and higher elevation favors a high-quality cactus plant.

Charro, Caballo y Tequila (Cowboy, Horse and Tequila)

Arandas is a town where Mexican charro (cowboy) culture and tequila meet. The town, surrounded by a beautiful countryside of agave fields, embraces the tequila industry, the charro culture of horsemanship and Mexican identity.

Nopalera (The Cactus Tree)

A majestic cactus tree grows along the blue agave fields near the Altena Tequila distillery in Arandas, Mexico.

Herradura: Alambique En Cobre (Herradura: Still in Copper)

When the stills of the Spaniards met "Pulque" (an alcoholic beverage made from the fermented sap of the agave) of the indigenous population, tequila was born. This still is part of the Herradura Tequila's culture museum that features the original distillery from the turn of the last century.

La Labranza (The Tillage)

A horse named Carablanca plows through the agave fields near the town of Atotonilco, Mexico.

Vida Ardiente (Fire of Life)

A cemetery, in Amatitan, Mexico, clearing old floral wreaths by setting them on fire. This image symbolizes the culture of tequila and Mexico's ardent history of conquest and revolution, just like the legacy of tequila itself.

En Casa Del Agave (At the Home of the Agave)

The agave cores have been prepped and cut in halves or quarters prior to roasting in this oven at the Tres Mujeres tequila distillery near the town of El Arenal, Mexico.

La Altena Agave Dulce (Sweet Agave)

009_La_Alten?a_Agave_Dulce.jpg — Joel Salcido

Roasted agave cores are ready to be crushed at the Altena Tequila distillery in Arandas, Mexico.

El Ascenso (The Ascention)

A quaint plaza and church can be found in the center of the town of Tequila in the Mexican state of Jalisco. This plaza area becomes the center for all Mexican fiestas. The town of Tequila is also ground zero for the tequila industry as we now know it.

Fuego Con Fuego (Fire on Fire)

Pi