A Spirit of Memory: How Gracia Viva Agave Is Redefining India’s Flavour-First Agave Narrative

In a spirits market that is steadily shifting toward craft, storytelling, and origin-led products, few brands begin as intimately as Gracia Viva Agave. Founded by Suzann Homan under Kantala Spirits, the drink is rooted in a deeply personal legacy inspired by her mother, Grace Fernandes. What started as a cherished family recipe has now evolved into a thoughtful, flavour-driven expression of agave tailored for Indian consumers, without losing the emotional authenticity of its origin.

For Homan, the brand was never conceptualised as a commercial opportunity first. It was, instead, a tribute. “When I envisioned building Gracia Viva Agave around my mother Grace Fernandes’ recipe, it was an emotional decision rooted in pride, nostalgia, and responsibility.” 

From the Family Table to a Wider Audience

One of the most delicate aspects of building Gracia Viva Agave was transitioning from an intimate family ritual to a product meant for a broader audience. Unlike many spirit brands that are engineered primarily for scale, this journey required emotional continuity.

“The shift from something intimate to something public was gradual and intentional, Homan explains. “Every decision, from flavour to branding, was guided by the question: does this still feel true to where it began?” This approach ensured that the essence of the drink remained rooted in its origin, even as it evolved for a wider Indian palate. Subtle flavour infusions that once worked for a small family gathering were carefully refined to become more pronounced and accessible for larger audiences.

In India, agave is still largely associated with tequila shots and imported drinking rituals. Homan saw this as both a challenge and an opportunity. Rather than positioning the drink within a rigid tequila framework, she introduced it through an approachable, flavour-forward lens.

“In India, agave is often narrowly defined through tequila, which can feel intimidating or unfamiliar to many drinkers,” she says. “We wanted people to meet agave through approachability and taste first, not rules or stereotypes.”

Flavour and Innovation

At the heart of the brand lies the experimental spirit of Grace Fernandes. Her approach to flavour was instinctive and fearless, blending agave spirit with Indian ingredients through infusion techniques that ranged from spices to fruit rinds and even dark chocolate.

Homan recalls these early experiments vividly. “Her approach was instinctive, curious, and fearless. She worked with what she had, trusted her palate, and wasn’t bound by tradition for tradition’s sake,” she says. This philosophy continues to shape the brand’s identity today, where authenticity is not treated as rigidity but as a living expression of memory and taste.

The drink's cross-cultural roots, including a family connection to Mexico and small batches of agave spirit sourced through the Fernandez lineage, add another layer of depth. Yet, the final flavour identity remains distinctly personal and Indian in sensibility.

Goa, Local Production, and Cultural Context

Being a Goa-based venture under Kantala Spirits significantly shapes the philosophy behind Gracia Viva Agave. The region’s longstanding, refined drinking culture allows the brand to sit in a place of heritage and experimentation rather than novelty.

“Being Goa-based is a big part of our brand’s image and personality,” Homan explains. Local production not only strengthens quality control but also reinforces the drink's identity as an Indian interpretation of agave, shaped by regional sensibilities and craftsmanship.

A key challenge for any new spirits label is maintaining authenticity while ensuring accessibility. Gracia Viva Agave addresses this by focusing on fruit-forward, nostalgic flavour profiles that resonate with Indian consumers without overshadowing the natural character of agave.

“Approachability begins with flavour balance,” Homan notes. “By highlighting fruit-forward profiles, we make the spirit inviting without masking the natural character of agave.” Blind tastings and extensive trials have played a central role in refining expressions that can be sipped neat while still appealing to both new and experienced drinkers.

Shaping a More Thoughtful Spirits Culture

As India’s spirits industry becomes more experimental, Homan believes the future of agave lies in education, storytelling, and flavour-led discovery rather than trend-driven consumption.

“In India, agave is still an emerging category, viewed with interest but also caution,” she explains, highlighting the need for awareness beyond tequila stereotypes. Through Gracia Viva Agave, the goal is to encourage curiosity and intentional drinking experiences that prioritise craftsmanship over hype.

Ultimately, the brand’s emotional core remains unchanged. “Gracia Viva Agave is a product born out of family, love and connection,” Homan says. In an increasingly crowded market, that emotional resonance may well be what sets Kantala Spirits apart.