Oregon brothers with big feet go from shoes to spirits
At first glance, Zac and Seth Longaker, the two towering brothers best known for launching a specialty shoe brand, Oddball Shoes, don’t exactly fit the mold of craft tequila makers. But five minutes into a conversation about Acre Largo, their passion is unmistakable. What began as a chance comment on a rooftop in León, Mexico, has become a deeply personal journey grounded in tradition, family and flavor.
I met the Longakers at OC Taco in Oregon City, Oregon, where their story poured out alongside tasting flights of their small-batch tequila. The Blanco is the bright, floral and ocean breeze forward; the smooth, oak-kissed Reposado shines with layers of robust flavors; while the warm, soulful Añejo adds depth of elegance and candied nuances. Each expression echoed moments from their path: college days in San Diego, unexpected connections in Los Altos, Mexico, and the spark that lit a new fire.
Behind the bar, OC Taco owner and mixologist Brent Richford worked like a painter, using Acre Largo as his medium. It was more than a drink, it was a story in every glass; a blend of Pacific Northwest roots and Mexican heart, told one sip at a time.
Sip: From shoes to spirits is quite the leap — what was it about that rooftop conversation in León that changed everything?
Zac Longaker: We were in León working on a shoe project for Oddball Shoes. We’d always wanted to create our own line of artisanal footwear — something we could build from the ground up that was focused on large and hard to find sizes. At dinner with the family who was helping us chase that dream, they picked up on how much we genuinely loved Mexico — the people, the culture, the experience of being there. And out of nowhere, they said, “You guys should do your own tequila.”
We laughed at first, but the idea hit harder than expected. We’ve been entrepreneurs for a long time — building Oddball, selling shoes for men with large feet — but even after all that, we still felt like we hadn’t created something that was fully ours. As absurd as it sounded at the time, the thought of starting our own tequila brand lit us up in a way we didn’t expect.
Seth Longaker: A few nights later, that same family introduced us to a gentleman who had spent years in the tequila world, named Juan Francisco. We met him on a rooftop and talked for hours — about life, about dreams, about what it means to build something meaningful. That’s when it really clicked. We weren’t looking for this, but once the idea was in front of us, it felt like the thing we didn’t know we’d been chasing.
Sip: How did your experience building Oddball prepare you, if at all, for launching a premium tequila brand?
SL: Oddball taught us how to build something from nothing. And in a lot of ways, the two couldn’t be more different — Oddball was born out of necessity. We saw a gap in the market and came up with an idea to fill it. Selling shoes to guys with big feet all over the world sounded laughable to a lot of people back in 1997. It hasn’t been easy. Running this business for close to 30 years has meant pivoting, reinventing, nearly walking away at times, and yet here we are. Resilience is everything.
ZL: We’ve also learned to trust our instincts and play the long game. Oddball was mostly bootstrapped, and we learned how to keep it lean, solve problems creatively, and stay close to the customer. That scrappy, entrepreneurial approach is exactly how we’re building Acre Largo — slow, steady, and real — a tiny family business. One of the biggest differences is the pace. The tequila world moves on its own timeline — agave takes years to grow, and nothing about the process is fast. That’s been a shift for us, and honestly, a welcome one. It’s taught us to slow down, be more intentional, and build something that’s meant to last.
Sip: You’ve spent decades connected to Mexico, how does that parallel your Pacific Northwest style, and how has the Pacific Northwest influenced your approach, style and product?
SL: We’ve always seen the Pacific Northwest as a hub of creativity — a place for free thinkers, nonconformists, risk takers and entrepreneurs. At the same time, it’s full of laid-back vibes and people who accept others for who they are. We like to think we fit right in with that crowd.
Our first trip to Mexico was when we were 15. We immediately fell in love with the people, the food and the culture. Our college days in San Diego, with easy access to the border, only deepened that connection. We found ourselves heading south whenever we could and, the more we did, the more we brought back home with us — this idea of family and friends above all else. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, not bring you down.
ZL: In a way, the two places — Mexico and the Pacific Northwest — actually complement each other. Mexico brings deep tradition and warmth, while the Pacific Northwest adds a slower, stripped-down sensibility. Acre Largo lives right in that space between them.
Sip: You would ultimately partner with the López family on this tequila project. What was it like meeting them for the first time?
ZL: Our first meeting with the López family was completely by chance. Our mentor, Juan Francisco, had worked with them many years before and, on an off chance, thought we should drive out toward the distillery on our very first trip to Los Altos. Driving up the long, narrow gravel road toward the hacienda, we ran into Señora María’s son, Gabriel. He was our first contact with the López family. Gabriel remembered Juan Francisco and was overjoyed to see him — he immediately invited us to town for lunch.
Taking the risk to head back to a place Juan Francisco hadn’t visited in years paid off and became the catalyst for bringing Acre Largo to life.
SL: When we finally met the rest of the López family, it solidified that we were exactly where we were meant to be. From the moment we stepped into their world, it was clear that family isn’t just a word — it’s the foundation of everything they do. Señora María, the matriarch, is a powerful force of care, wisdom, and strength. She reminded us of our own beloved grandmother, which made it even more special. It’s inspiring how she balances tradition with openness to new ideas, guiding not just the business but everyone around her with warmth and respect.
Their approach has taught us a lot about patience, humility and honoring the land and craft. It’s not just about making tequila — it’s about nurturing a legacy that spans generations. That mindset has shaped how we work, how we build Acre Largo, and how we want to show up in the tequila world.
Sip: How do you strike a balance between honoring traditional tequila-making methods and bringing your own spin to Acre Largo?
ZL: Let’s be honest — we’re outsiders. It took a long string of serendipitous events to get us to this point, and for that reason, respecting tradition is absolutely non-negotiable. We’re deeply committed to the heritage and craftsmanship passed down through generations of tequila makers, especially the López family, whose knowledge and hands-on approach guide everything we do. Acre Largo is meant to be an authentic expression of that time-honored process.
At the same time, we’re entrepreneurs and creatives. We believe in thoughtful innovation that enhances quality without compromising tradition. That means blending old-school techniques with a modern mindset — whether it’s in our approach to sustainability, our choice of barrels for aging, or how we share our story to connect with today’s drinkers.
SL: Striking this balance is about honoring the past while building a tequila that feels relevant and real for today’s audience — a tequila that reflects both the legacy we’re proud to be part of and the values we bring from the Pacific Northwest. Above all, we hope to be true stewards of the López family, the surrounding communities, and the generations who have come before them.
Sip: Tequila is a crowded space — what makes Acre Largo stand out from the rest, both in taste and in story?
SL: Every bottle is made by hand at a small, family-owned distillery where the people and the process matter more than the hype. Made from just three beautiful ingredients — agave, yeast, and water — Acre Largo is clean, rich, and honest. No additives. No shortcuts. Just fully mature agaves, traditional methods, and thoughtful aging. We’re not chasing trends or trying to reinvent the wheel, and we’re definitely not trying to be everything to everyone. This is a brand built around family and friends, good people and good places.
Sip: What’s been the most surprising or challenging part of your journey from that rooftop in Guanajuato to bottling Acre Largo today?
SL: Maybe the biggest shift has been letting go of the fast-paced, startup mentality we lived in for decades with Oddball. Tequila — especially the kind we’re committed to making, you can’t rush. Agave takes years. Aging takes time. Slowing down has been both the hardest thing and the most rewarding. It’s helped to refocus on the things that matter most. In the end, the biggest surprise is that something that started almost as a joke — “you guys should make your own tequila” — has become one of the most honest and fulfilling things we’ve ever done.
Sip: If someone could only take one sip of Acre Largo, what would you hope they take away from that experience?
SL: With so many great tequilas being made by amazing people at incredible distilleries, we hope, at the very least, that people are drinking small-batch tequila that supports real communities and families. If ours happens to be one they’re enjoying, that’s a plus.
If they’re sipping Acre Largo, we hope they feel the care, not just in the craftsmanship of the tequila itself, but in everything that went into making it. We’re proud of what we’ve created, so much so that we were willing to put our name on the bottle: Acre Largo = Long Acre = Longaker.
ZL: One sip should tell you this wasn’t rushed, wasn’t mass-produced, and definitely wasn’t made to chase trends. It should taste like something that came from real people and a real place. Clean, simple, and honest. Hopefully, they’re drinking it with those nearest and dearest. We love being part of a good celebration. Acre Largo is really about slowing down, being present, and celebrating the wins in life.
