Former NFL players Matt and Ryan Kalil founded Celaya Tequila, named after their grandmother’s maiden name. Matt played for the Minnesota Vikings and Ryan for the Carolina Panthers. Celaya is one of over 50 celebrity tequilas to have hit the market.
Celaya tequila launched in May 2022 with three expressions: blanco, reposado and añejo.
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Founding Story of Celaya Tequila
Matt and Ryan Kalil founded Celaya after their NFL careers.
The tequila is named after the brothers’ grandmother’s maiden name, Celaya.
The brothers say their grandmother, known as Abuela Frecia, inspired the brand through her stories about their great-great-grandfather Jose Celaya and his tequila.
According to that family account, Jose made tequila on his ranch in Sonora, Mexico, in the late 1800s. Those stories connected the brothers to their Mexican heritage.
Matt Kalil and Ryan Kalil’s Roles At Celaya
Matt Kalil is the co-founder and CEO of Celaya Tequila. Ryan Kalil is the other co-founder. Both Matt and Ryan are the faces and promoters of the brand.
What Kinds of Tequila Does Celaya make?
Tequilas produced by Celaya are all 100% blue agave and made using both traditional stone ovens and more modern autoclave. The agave is a 50/50 blend from the lowlands and highlands of Jalisco. Like Patrón, they use a blend of tahona and roller mill crushed agave. The tequila is twice distilled in stainless steel pots with copper coils.
Celaya Blanco
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- US 750 mL shop price: About US$48 at Old Town Tequila
- Agave: 100% Blue Agave
- Aging: Unaged
- Notes: Citrus, baked agave, pepper
- How to drink Celaya Blanco: Sipping straight, with ice, or in cocktails
Celaya Reposado
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- US 750 mL shop price: About US$55 at Old Town Tequila
- Agave: 100% Blue Agave
- Aging: Three months in ex-bourbon oak casks
- Additives: Yes. Celaya Reposado has added sweetener, from agave syrup.
- Notes: Oak, toasted cream.
- How to drink Celaya Reposado: Sipping straight, with ice, or in cocktails
Celaya Añejo
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- US 750 mL shop price: About US$63 at Old Town Tequila
- Agave: 100% Blue Agave
- Aging: 12 months in ex-bourbon oak casks
- Additives: Yes. Celaya Añejo has added sweetener from agave syrup.
- Notes: Cooked citrus, vanilla, honey.
- How to drink Celaya Añejo: Sipping straight or with ice.
Celaya Tequila Calories
Celaya Blanco Tequila contains 98 calories in a 1.5 oz shot. The reposado and añejo have added agave syrup sweetener so will have one or two more calories (there is less than 1% agave syrup added).
Does Celaya Tequila Have Additives?
Yes, Celaya tequila has additives. In press releases the brand claims to be “additive free” but on its website it says it has no “unnatural additives”, just agave syrup. They add agave syrup to add sweetness. It is less than 1% by volume and is not disclosed on the bottle, but is mentioned on the website.
Under Mexican rules, brands can claim to be 100% agave tequila but still have up to 1% additives that they don’t have to disclose. These can be oak extract, glycerin, caramel color and/or sweetener.
Celaya Tequila Bottles
The bottles for Celaya Tequila were designed based on old whiskey bottles. They are clear, with bold white writing, a thick glass base and a crooked label on the back.
Distillery for Celaya Tequila
Celaya Tequila is produced at Casa Maestri Distillery (Destiladora del Valle de Tequila), in the town of Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, NOM 1438.
Who makes Celaya Tequila?
Celaya tequila is made by Casa Maestri, registered as Destiladora del Valle de Tequila, in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. The producer states that production and bottling take place on site under NOM 1438. Sources: CRT, October 1, 2026; Casa Maestri’s FAQ. Explore Celaya’s producer listing or read what a tequila NOM number tells you.
Other Brands Produced at the Distillery
The October 1, 2026 CRT directory links Celaya with Cincoro, E. Cuarenta, Hussong’s, Los Azulejos and Casino Azul under NOM 1438. These are registered brand connections; Casa Maestri also formerly produced Kirkland Signature Reposado. Browse the other entries at Casa Maestri.
Who Owns Celaya Tequila?
Celaya Tequila is owned by Matt and Ryan Kalil. After establishing a sales base, the pair also took in outside investors, but maintain majority control.
Promotional Activity for Kalil Brothers’ Tequila
Celaya tequila was first promoted in Southern California, the home of the Kalil brothers. In May 2023 a distribution agreement was reached with national distributor Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits which will increase the availability of the brand.
Partnerships with the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and USC Athletics
Celaya Tequila announced partnerships with The Coliseum and USC Athletics in August 2023. Celaya is now the Official Tequila of The Coliseum, the 77,000 seat arena and home to the USC Trojans Football team. Both Matt and Ryan Kalil played football at USC.
Partnership with New Story
Celaya Tequila announced a partnership with affordable housing organization New Story in June 2023. Celaya Tequila will donate a portion of the sales proceeds from each bottle sold to New Story. New Story will support affordable housing for projects in Jalisco, the home of tequila.
Celaya Tequila Owners
Matt Kalil
Matt Kalil was born Matthew Francis Kalil on July 6, 1989, in Corona, California. His father, Frank Kalil, played in the United States Football League (USFL), and his brother Ryan also played in the NFL. Matt attended Servite High School in Anaheim and earned a football scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC).
College Football Career
Matt played offensive tackle for the USC Trojans from 2008 to 2011 under head coach Pete Carroll, after redshirting his first year. In 2011, he was a First-team All-Pac-12 selection and a consensus All-American.
NFL Career
Matt entered the NFL Draft after his junior year. The Minnesota Vikings selected him fourth overall in 2012, and he earned Pro Bowl honors in his rookie season. He played on the Vikings’ offensive line until 2016.
In March 2017, Matt signed a five-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. However, his time with the Panthers was marred by injuries, leading to his release in 2019. Matt briefly joined the Houston Texans in 2019 but did not see regular-season action due to injuries.
Celaya Tequila
Matt is Celaya’s CEO. The brand’s range includes blanco, reposado and añejo.
Ryan Kalil
Ryan Kalil was born on March 29, 1985, in Tucson, Arizona, to Frank and Cheryl Kalil. He and his younger brother Matt grew up playing football, influenced by their father’s USFL career. Ryan attended Servite High School in Anaheim, California, and earned a football scholarship to USC.
College Football Career
Ryan played center for the USC Trojans from 2003 to 2006. He was a First-team All-Pac-10 selection in 2005 and 2006, and a consensus All-American in 2006. That year he also won the Morris Trophy as the Pac-10’s best offensive lineman.
NFL Career
The Carolina Panthers selected Ryan in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He spent most of his NFL career there, playing center and serving as a team captain. He earned five Pro Bowl selections (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015) and was First-team All-Pro twice (2013, 2015).
In 2019, after briefly retiring, Ryan came out of retirement to sign a one-year contract with the New York Jets. He played one season with the Jets before officially retiring from professional football in 2020.
Celaya Tequila
After retiring, Ryan co-founded Celaya with Matt, drawing on their family’s stories about Jose Celaya. Ryan works on brand development and community engagement.
Further Questions About Celaya Tequila
Which Celaya tequila is best?
Celaya blanco is the highest rated in the lineup.
What type of tequila is Celaya?
Celaya tequila is made from 100% agave. The tequila is made using mostly traditional production methods. Celaya makes blanco, reposado and añejo tequilas.
Does Celaya tequila go off?
An unopened bottle of Celaya tequila will never go off, provided it is stored away from direct sunlight and high temperatures. Once opened Celaya should be drunk within a couple of years.
Is Celaya tequila gluten free?
Yes, Celaya tequila is gluten free. Like all tequilas (including mixtos) Celaya contains no gluten.
Is Celaya real tequila?
Yes, Celaya is real tequila made from 100% agave. Celaya is made with mostly traditional methods but does use a high pressure autoclave for some of its production.
Is Celaya tequila kosher?
Yes, Celaya’s unflavored, CRT-approved 100% agave tequila is acceptable as kosher under STAR-K’s guidance.†
What is Celaya tequila ABV?
Celaya tequila is 40% ABV (80 proof). Almost all tequila sold in the US is 40% ABV.
Is Celaya tequila organic?
Organic certification for Celaya tequila is unconfirmed. Check the exact bottle for an organic claim and named certifier.
Organic sources checked October 14, 2026.
† STAR-K’s tequila guidance accepts unflavored, CRT-approved 100% agave tequila without certification. It prefers reliable certification for reposado, añejo and cristalino, and excludes mixtos and specified wine or cask labels. Check the full exclusions against the bottle; this general acceptance is separate from brand certification. Sources checked October 14, 2026. See Is tequila kosher? for bottle checks, agency differences and Passover requirements. ↩
US bottle-price sources
The listings below are for confirmed 750 mL bottles shown in stock when checked. Figures from three or more independent shops are medians; smaller samples show the named shop prices. Pickup locations and public sales are shown below. Online stock may not mean delivery is available to your address. Tax and delivery may be extra. Prices are subject to change.
- Celaya Tequila Blanco: Old Town Tequila: about US$48; online listing; 2026-10-02.
- Celaya Tequila Reposado: Old Town Tequila: about US$55; online listing; 2026-10-02.
- Celaya Tequila Anejo: Old Town Tequila: about US$63; online listing; 2026-10-02.