Don Elias

Some wines have seen sales rise in the recession. But it's been a harder sell for distilled spirits, said Joaquin Robles, owner of Salinas-based Tequila Don Elias.
Until now, at least. Robles got a boost in March when two of his four tequila varieties won prizes in the San Franciscohttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2_bing.gif World Spirits Competition. The company's Silver variety, which retails for under $40, won a gold medal. And Extra Anejo, which retails in the high-$90s, took bronze. Both varieties are sold in the standard 750 mililiter bottles. Distillers from 57 countries competed in various categories.