When Debbie Medina-Gach reached out to share her story, she mentioned how much she enjoys reading the AZ Courier News. That meant a lot to us—because it’s people like Debbie who inspire the kinds of stories we love to tell. Stories of perseverance, passion, and purpose.
Debbie isn’t just a successful businesswoman and the co-founder of Señor Rio Tequila. She’s also the heart behind a new book that’s capturing the attention of readers far beyond the craft cocktail crowd. Titled “One Bottle at a Time: A True Love Story; 50 Tequila Craft Cocktails,” her debut publication blends deeply personal memories with the artistry of mixology, creating something that’s both a tribute and a toast to a life well lived.
The story behind the story is just as compelling. Years ago, Debbie and her husband Jonathan Gach launched Señor Rio Tequila out of a shared love for the authenticity and tradition found in a small-batch family recipe that her dad aka Senor Rio shared with them when she reunited with him in Mexico after 3 decades. It was a dream born of honoring family, love, and a three-generation family recipe, with a vision for building something meaningful together. But when Jonathan passed away unexpectedly, Debbie was left to carry that dream forward on her own.
Rather than let grief consume her, she turned it into purpose. Continuing the business they built together, Debbie began to write—memories poured onto the page one bottle, one story at a time. Her book captures the journey of love and loss with vulnerability and strength, told through stories and 50 signature tequila cocktails developed in collaboration with mixologist Carlos Ruiz. Each recipe is paired with a moment, a reflection, or a piece of wisdom—offering readers more than just drinks, but something to savor on every level.
Adding another layer to her mission, Debbie is donating a portion of the book’s proceeds to We Care Crusade, a nonprofit she founded to support families of children with special needs. Her inspiration? Her twin granddaughters, both living with Angelman Syndrome and autism. The organization helps provide resources and hope to others walking a similar path.
The book also features a heartfelt foreword from actor and business partner Joe Mantegna, underscoring the importance of family, friendship, and storytelling.
“People think it’s just about tequila,” Debbie says. “But it’s not. It’s about life, and love, and choosing to keep going when it would’ve been easier to stop.”
One Bottle at a Time is now available both online and in major bookstores—and whether you’re a tequila enthusiast, an aspiring mixologist, or simply someone who appreciates a good love story, there’s something in its pages for you.
From all of us at the AZ Courier News, we appreciate Debbie for not only sharing her journey with us, but for reminding our readers that even in life’s most difficult moments, there is beauty to be found—and sometimes, it’s found one bottle at a time.
To learn more, support the cause, or purchase your copy, visit:
