Like most haciendas in Mexico, Tenexac originates from land granted New Spain by the Spanish Crown in the XVI and XVII centuries. The original walls erected on Tenexac remain as vestiges of the earliest XVIII century structures that yet encase the multi-connecting ironwork laced interior patios and terraces. Before the post revolutionary land reform, Tenexac was a major grain and livestock provider. However, its most important product was pulque, christened the Nectar of the Gods from the time of the Aztecs; a fermented drink made from the maguey plant (Nahuatl: metl) known as the “Tree of Marvels” for its variety of uses – food, drink, medicine, needle and thread, mixiote paper, ropes, nets, hammocks, heating and cooking fuel, erosion prevention or metepantle… Before the 1910 Mexican Revolution owners of these properties where called the “Pulque Aristocracy.”

At the turn of the XIX century Tenexac’s production of pulque hovered at 1,000,000 liters (264, 173 gal.) per year. And it was when Justo Bretón y Trillanes purchased the Tenexac property from its previous owners in the early 1800’s for 100,000 pesos gold that consolidated the Hacienda’s agricultural wealth. In 1892 Dn. Justo gave his son Justo Bretón y Bretón the ranch as an engagement gift as he is about to enter into nuptials with Miss Alexandrina Turnbull Bretón.

Mr. Bretón y Bretón completes the “Casa Grande” construction as it now stands. The Bretón Turnbull’s inherit the Hacienda to their 8th child, Margarita, who marries Mr. Sabino Yano Sanchez and together preserve Tenexac’s architecture and beauty. As a result of this devotion, in 1986 by Presidential Decree through the National Institute of Anthropology and History, Hacienda San Pedro Tenexac was declared a National Historic Monument. And in 1991 Mrs. Margarita Bretón Turnbull de Yano receives an award from the Sociedad Defensora de Tesoro Artístico de México for her work in conserving and restoring the values of Mexico’s artistic heritage.

Information / Reservation