News
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Recent Press
WASHINGTON POST
Best Global Gins | September 2021
A great read from the WaPo on our "complex and striking" Terroir Gin, along with other fine sips in the category from around the world.
EDITORIALIST
Gifts That Prove You Can’t Lose with Booze | September 2021
When it comes to coffee liqueur, "you can’t beat St. George Spirit’s Nola-inspired version" says the Editorialist. Check out this piece for more on our NOLA, as well as other spirit recommendations that make gifting easy.
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
The Coastal Martini | September 2021
Our Terroir Gin gets love from the Chronicle's Esther Mobley in this terrific article on drinking the California coastal landscape.
DISTILLER.COM
Comparing American Gin to London Dry | August 2021
Says Jake Emen of our proudly Californian Terroir Gin: "It's a stroll through a redwood grove in a bottle, with highlighted botanicals of Douglas fir, California bay laurel and coastal sage, atop a traditional botanical set. That’s about as American of a gin as you can get."
VINEPAIR
The 7 Best Vodkas for Bloody Marys | June 2021
A nod from VinePair for our "brimming with flavor" Green Chile.
VINEPAIR
Lance Winters, Nuclear Engineer-Turned-Distiller, Is Experimenting With American Agave | June 2021
Profile on Lance and our forays into American agave distillation.
VINEPAIR
The 20 Best Vodka Brands of 2021 | June 2021
Lauding its "velvet texture," Vinepair compliments our All Purpose Vodka as an "upgrade on almost all other bottles on the market."
WHISKY ADVOCATE
Craft Whiskey Distillers’ New Gambit? Amaro | April 2021
Whisky Advocate shines a light on Bruto Americano and other American aperitivi and digestivi.
ALTA JOURNAL
I’ll Drink to That! | April 2021
An exploration of California-made spirits, with a great write-up on Baller.
WHISKY ADVOCATE
4 Top-Notch American Single Malts to Try Now | April 2021
Lot 20 of St. George Single Malt Whiskey gets the nod.
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
Is there such a thing as California-style whiskey? | December 2020
An interesting read on the state of California-made whiskey from spirits writer Lou Bustamante, with a great review for Lot 20.
FOOD & WINE
20 Excellent Bottles of Booze to Gift in 2020 | December 2020
Our Bruto Americano (a "citrusy standout inspired by distiller Lance Winters’ experience growing up in California in the 1970s") gets the nod from F&W.
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
Food Lovers’ Holiday Gift Guide | November 2020
Our "nutty, fruity and rich" Lot 20 release makes the Chron's list of what to give and get this year.
THE DAILY BEAST
Meet American Whiskey Pioneer Lance Winters | November 2020
A colorful, meaty interview with master distiller Lance Winters on the evolution of our single malt program—from our Lot 1 release back in 2000 through this year's Lot 20 (20th anniversary) release.
EPICURIOUS
It’s Time to Stock Your Bar for Winter | November 2020
Kudos for our "piney, sagey" Terroir Gin, which "feels just right for cooler weather."
LIQUOR.COM
The 12 Best Flavored Vodkas to Drink in 2020 | October 2020
Our Green Chile Vodka gets the nod from Liquor.com, which describes it as "smooth and nuanced with a sweet-hot savoriness."
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
Distillery Turns Smoke-Tainted Wine Grapes into Purposefully Smoky Grappa | September 2020
In the midst of this year's wildfires, the Chron takes a look at the grappa collaboration we did with Garden Creek Winery in response to last year's fires.
VINEPAIR
The Next Wave of American Craft Whiskeys is Here | June 2020
A look at the evolution of craft whiskey, with a hat-tip for our pioneering St. George Single Malt Whiskey.
MAXIM
Tour the Globe with These Great International Whiskies | June 2020
A fun read for whiskey fans, with a nod for our Baller Single Malt: "When I discovered Baller I thought I’d fallen into some weird syncretic whiskey dimension…"
WASHINGTON POST
Vodka has a new definition —it’s still neutral, but no longer flavorless | June 2020
The TTB has updated the Standard of Identity for vodka—no longer defining it as “without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color.” Lance weighs in on why we think this is a good thing.
FOOD52
Why Amaro Is the Any-Occasion Drink | May 2020
Coral Lee reviews our herbaceous Bruto Americano ("like Campari’s cousin that’s really into camping") and other bittersweet spirits in Food52.
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
Craft distillery St. George sees a path through the coronavirus crisis | April 2020
Esther Mobley reports on the state of the distillery during the COVID pandemic, as well as why our Terroir Gin "feels uniquely comforting in this moment."
PUNCH
What's Singular About American Single Malt? | February 2020
PUNCH rates our "immensely drinkable" Baller among its top American expressions, calling it "perhaps America’s most unique single malt."
Modern Bar Cart
Episode 135 - St. George Spirits | February 2020
An in-depth and broad-ranging interview with Master Distiller Lance Winters.
The Crafty Cask
Big Batch Cocktails Make Holiday Party Hosting Easy | December 2019
Holiday entertaining tips and recipes from head distiller Dave Smith (aka St. George's President of Vices).
Epicurious
Just Toddy It: How to Make Hot Cocktails Out of Any Drink | December 2019
Epicurious wants to warm you up with hot toddies made from our Spiced Pear Liqueur ("like a rich holiday dessert in a glass") and other spirits.
Wall Street Journal
Your Holiday-Party Cocktail Strategy | November 2019
Our California Reserve Apple Brandy and Spiced Pear Liqueur on the Journal’s list of go-to holiday spirits.
Craft Spirits Magazine
Fruitful Awakening | October 2019
A lovely profile of St. George founder Jörg Rupf and the distillery's early days.
Bloomberg
What Tariffs? American-Made Whiskeys for Single Malt Scotch Fans | October 2019
Our "over-the-top delicious" Baller Single Malt Whiskey gets a nod in a piece on American-made whiskeys for single malt Scotch fans.
Bon Appétit
All American | September 2019
In the October issue (print only), coverage of American-made aperitivo liqueurs, including our "pleasingly bitter" Bruto Americano.
Good Beer Hunting
How the Bay Area’s Cocktail Culture Grew Up, One Gin at a Time | September 2019
A compelling read on the overlapping histories and philosophies of our own master distiller Lance Winters and Bar Agricole’s Thad Vogler.
NBC Bay Area
California Live | September 2019
Head distiller Dave Smith takes California Live behind the scenes here at the distillery for a glimpse into how we make St. George Pear Brandy, Terroir Gin, and Green Chile Vodka.
Rave Reviews
Best Flavored Vodkas | September 2019
St. George Green Chile Vodka ("the perfect vodka to serve as a base in a Bloody Mary because it brings the right amount of heat and spice") gets a rave review from Rave Reviews!
ESQUIRE
The Clear Winner | September 2019
A clarion call to vodka skeptics, spotlighting St. George Green Chile Vodka as a bottle worth trying for its "farm-fresh flavors."
CRAFT SPIRITS MAGAZINE
Driven to Innovate | August 2019
Great profile of the distillery's evolution—including risks and challenges along the way—in the inaugural issue of Craft Spirits Magazine.
ABC News
Award-Winning Distillers of Alameda's St. George Spirits Share Keys to Success | July 2019
A behind-the-scenes peek into life here at the distillery, featuring interviews with master distiller Lance Winters and head distiller Dave Smith.
Imbibe
GIN! | May/June 2019
Great read on all things gin from Imbibe, with master distiller Lance Winters and head distiller Dave Smith included among some of our favorite bars and bartenders—and recognized as "among the more innovative distillers in the country, pursuing regionality with St. George’s Terroir Gin and botanical creativity with Botanivore Gin, and rethinking gin’s identity with Dry Rye Gin."
San Francisco Chronicle
The Mezcalifornia Movement | April 2019
Coverage from the Chron on the farmers, jimadors, and distillers working together towards a viable California agave economy.
Wine Enthusiast
The Emerging California-Style Whiskey | April 2019
Kara Newman surveys the Golden State of whiskey, including our own Kentucky-meets-Tennessee-meets-California B&E American Whiskey.
Whisky Advocate
Rye (But Not Whiskey) | Spring 2019
Whisky Advocate includes our Dry Rye Gin among its recommended "eye-opening rye spirits," saying that the "rye elevates the spicy note of black peppercorn and caraway botanicals."
Food & Wine
5 Gins With Offbeat Botanicals to Try Now | February 2019
Eight years after first reviewing our gins and even as the category swells, Food & Wine is still short-listing our "intensely herbal and aromatic" Terroir among its favorites.
Washington Post
In a high-tech world, aged spirits still get much of their flavor from wood and fire | February 2019
Great to see our one-of-a-kind Baller Single Malt Whiskey among the WaPo's list of barrel-aged spirits to try.
Sunset
These New-Wave Whiskey Distilleries Are Bottling the Taste and Terroir of the West | February 2019
A look at Western whiskey landscape from Sunset magazine.
Forbes
Spicy Cocktails Give Added Excitement to Any Night Out | January 2019
For those who like a little heat, Green Chile cocktails in Chicago and SF.
Food & Wine
Holiday Spirits | December 2018
Lovely to see our Spiced Pear Liqueur among F&W's recommended bottles for holiday gifting!
Liquor.com
The Best Vodka at Any Price | November 2018
Our Green Chile and California Citrus both make the cut!
Food & Wine
10 Affordable Vodkas You Can Always Count On | November 2018
F&W dubs our "exceedingly versatile" All Purpose Vodka a "cocktail workhorse." So let's get to work, shall we?
Esquire
8 New Bottles to Gift the Host | November 2018
Kudos for our new B&E American Whiskey in the November issue: "This is a mix of malt whiskey from the brilliant California-based St. George Spirits, plus rye and bourbon from Kentucky and Tennessee. Jammy, spicy, all-American goodness."
Imbibe
2018 Holiday Gift Guide | October 2018
Terrific to see our B&E American Whiskey ("a boundary-breaking spirit rich with toffee, candied citrus and dark chocolate") land a spot on Imbibe's holiday list!
Robb Report
Bay Area St. George Spirits Blends Bourbon from Kentucky | October 2018
A great write-up on our new B&E American Whiskey release, which Robb Report calls "a natural for classic American cocktails."
Whisky Advocate
New Whisky | September 2018
A preview of our upcoming B&E American Whiskey from Whisky Advocate.
Food & Wine
Meet Bruto Americano: The American Aperitivo | September 2018
A terrific review of our Bruto Americano, plus three original recipes for home bartenders of any skill level.
The Manual
The Best Flavored Vodka Made in America | September 2018
Our Green Chile Vodka took top honors among flavored vodkas in The Manual's Spirit Awards. Check out the link for a great write-up explaining why it won, plus an original must-try recipe.
VH1
Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party | August 2018
Nothing to see here... Just Martha Stewart & Snoop Dogg drinking Sazeracs made with our Absinthe Verte...
Food & Wine
Fall in Love With Green Chile Vodka | August 2018
We loved this piece from Food & Wine—and it includes three original Green Chile recipes for any level of home bartender!
Sunset
Botanical Gins We're Loving Right Now | July 2018
A nod for our Terroir Gin in an article by Lou Bustamante on gins that evoke "landscapes in a bottle."
CRAFT by Under My Host
Hi-Rye | June 2018
This rye round-up includes our "versatile as heck" Dry Rye Gin.
KQED
Learning How Absinthe is Made | June 2018
A behind-the-scenes peek at our absinthe process from Taste This.
FOOD & WINE
This Spiced Pear Liqueur We're Obsessed With... | May 2018
Our "genuinely juicy... rich and luscious" Spiced Pear Liqueur gets a rave review from Food & Wine.
SPIRITED
American Single Malt: Unexpected Directions | May 2018
"One of the most visionary malt whiskeys on the market," says Spirited of our Baller Single Malt Whiskey.
IMBIBE
5 to Try: Flavored Vodkas | May 2018
We already knew that our Green Chile Vodka was "a no-brainer for your next Bloody Mary"—but it's great that Imbibe thinks so, too!
FOOD & WINE
JBFA-Nominated Drinks Experts Reveal the Most Important Bottle of Their Careers | May 2018
Lance chats with Food & Wine about the bottle that compelled him to become a distiller.
EATER
The Essential Guide to Eating and Drinking in Alameda | May 2018
Your to-do list for visiting the island!
WINE ENTHUSIAST
Why Nothing Beats the Flavor of Unaged Brandy | April 2018
Wonderful to see our flagship Pear Brandy (going strong for 36 years now!) included in this Wine Enthusiast piece on eau de vie.
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
Will More Bay Area Bars Champion Local Spirits? | March 2018
A compelling read from Lou Bustamante in the San Francisco Chronicle on regionalism in the spirits world. Contributing to the conversation: Thad Vogler (Bar Agricole), Jon Santer (Prizefighter), Ryan Fitzgerald (ABV), Scott Beattie (Meadowood Napa Valley), Ashby Marshall (Spirit Works Distillery), and our own master distiller Lance Winters.
BLOOMBERG
Upgrade Your Home Bar with an American-Made Amaro | March 2018
Lovely to see our Bruto Americano in this piece on bitter herbal liqueurs—and the inclusion of Andrew King's Balderdash cocktail recipe (which we tasted last summer in Charleston) is a wonderful bonus.
SUPERCALL
The 5 Best Vodkas to Mix in a Dirty Martini | February 2018
Supercall thinks our Green Chile Vodka makes one of the best Dirty Martinis they’ve ever had. Give it a try and let us know what you think!
THE BREWING NETWORK
Heads & Tails: St. George Spirits | January 2018
Lance talks shop with the folks at the Brewing Network.
NYLON
This Gin Will Change The Way You Feel About Gin Forever | December 2017
A love letter to Terroir.
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST
7 Reasons to Visit to Oakland | November 2017
We're in great company in this AD guide to local treasures!
THE DAILY BEAST
America’s Craft Distilling Industry was Started by Immigrants | November 2017
Great read/history lesson on the immigrant roots of the American artisan distillation movement—starting in 1982 with St. George founder Jörg Rupf and a handful of other immigrants who also started distilleries on the West Coast.
PUNCH
Lookbook Questionnaire | September 2017
Better know a distiller! Lance shares his strangest work experiment, go-to drink in a dive bar, and favorite thing to do when he's off the clock.
PUNCH
Can Vodka Be More Than Just a Mixer? | August 2017
Kind words from PUNCH on our All Purpose Vodka.
BBC
Best National Spirits from Around the World | July 2017
Our "hugely herbaceous" absinthe gets the nod from the BBC in this global round-up of notable spirits.
FOOD & WINE
12 Essential Gins Everyone Should Have in the Liquor Cabinet | July 2017
What an honor to seee Terroir, Botanivore, and Dry Rye Gin included on Food & Wine’s list of must-have gins: "It’s hard to choose one standout from this California spirit line, so we won’t even try."
ESQUIRE
Bottles We Love in '17 | June + July 2017
Advice worth heeding from Esquire on our Bruto Americano: "Use it in a Negroni or just spritz it up and discover your new day-drinking cocktail."
NEW YORK TIMES
Red, Wet and Bitter... but Not Campari or Aperol | June 2017
The NYT on new aperitivos, including Bruto Americano.
Supercall
The 13 Best Flavored Vodkas | May 2017
Both our flavored vodkas—Green Chile and California Citrus—make the cut!
GQ
Nine Bottles to Turn Gin Haters into Gin Lovers | April 2017
GQ gives some love to our complex and botanically rich Botanivore Gin.
GLOBE AND MAIL
Pick of the Week: Terroir Gin | April 2017
A great review out of Canada for Terroir ("a fresh, woodsy-breezy change of pace")!
USA TODAY
Meet America’s Gin Makers | March 2017
An overview of the American gin landscape from USA Today. (If you'd like to jump ahead in the gallery, we’re slides 24–27.)
PASTE MAGAZINE
Build the Perfect Home Bar | March 2017
Paste on why our Terroir Gin should be a home bar essential.
IMBIBE
Whiskey’s New Frontier: American Single Malts | February 2017
Paul Clarke of Imbibe chats with Lance about his early days of making single malt and examines the evolution of the American whiskey landscape.
PASTE
5 American Single Malts You Need to Drink Now | February 2017
Terrific write-up of our single malt: "Able to mount a strong argument for being the best single malt in America."
WASHINGTON POST
The Next Big Thing in American Distilling: Single Malt Whiskey | January 2017
The WaPo on the evolution of American single malts.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Bruto Americano, a Campari Cousin, is Anything but Ugly | January 2017
Behind the scenes with our beautiful Bruto.
ESQUIRE
The Impossible List: 27 Highly Ambitious Things to Try Before You Die | January 2017
Our only-in-California, grab-it-if-you-see-it Baller Single Malt Whiskey on Esquire’s bucket list.
SUPERCALL
The 6 Best New American Whiskies of 2016 | December 2016
High praise for our Baller Single Malt Whiskey: "This might be the best new spirit of the year, period."
PLAYBOY
The Best New Spirits of 2016 | December 2016
Playboy loves Baller! There’s a joke there somewhere...
SUPERCALL
The 6 Best New American Whiskies of 2016 | December 2016
High praise for our Baller Single Malt Whiskey: "This might be the best new spirit of the year, period."
THE DAILY BEAST
A Bottle for Everyone on Your List | December 2016
Another great mention for Bruto Americano!
FOOD SCHMOOZE
Bruto Americano is in Town | December 2016
A rave review of Bruto Americano ("nothing short of dazzling"), plus a Tequila-Negroni Punch recipe for the holidays!
WINE & SPIRITS MAGAZINE
2016 Year’s Best | November 2016
A rave review and high honors for Bruto Americano.
BON APPETIT
A 3-Ingredient Cocktail That Tastes Like the Holidays—But Really | November 2016
An easy-to-make, seasonal cocktail featuring our "magic" Spiced Pear Liqueur.
PUNCH
Getting to Know West Coast Gin | October 2016
Wayne Curtis on the wild world of West Coast gin, including our own Terroir Gin ("The Renegade").
FORBES
How the Scent of Northern California Became One of the Best Gins You'll Ever Taste | October 2016
A really lovely piece on the making of our Terroir Gin.
THE NEW YORK TIMES
An Italian-Style Aperitif with a California Twist | October 2016
A stellar write-up on Bruto in the Times from Florence Fabricant!
SCOTCHWHISKY.COM
America's Single Malt Rivals to Scotch | August 2016
Some nice ink on our whiskey program from Lew Bryson in this article on the growing wave of American single malt.
PUNCH
A Guide to the Best American Amari and Aperitivi | July 2016
Punch includes Bruto in its round-up of best American bitter liqueurs, and also interviews Lance about his inspiration behind the spirit in a related story.
PLAYBOY
Traditionally Un-American Spirits | June 2016
Kudos for our "remarkably complex" Baller Single Malt Whiskey.
DRINK ME
Bruto Americano: Vintage Aperitivo Reinvented | May 2016
"Your Negronis and Spritzes just got more interesting," says Drink Me.
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST
12 Stylish Craft Distilleries Across the Country | May 2016
At age 34, we're pretty comfortable in our own skin but... we sure don't mind when Architectural Digest looks at us like this!
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
A Local Bar Scene on the Spritz | April 2016
A great read on the local spritz scene (with a shout-out for Bruto Americano!) from writer Lou Bustamante.
IMBIBE
Drink of the Week: Baller Single Malt Whiskey | April 2016
Just as bottles start to land in both NorCal and SoCal, Imbibe names our new Baller Single Malt Whiskey ("perfect sipped neat or on a rock or two") its Drink of the Week!
PASTE MAGAZINE
5 Vodkas for Whiskey Lovers | March 2016
Kind words for our anything-but-flavorless All Purpose Vodka.
USA TODAY
Discover America's Oldest Distilleries | February 2016
A look at some of the oldest distilleries in the United States—including "new old" producers like us.
MEN'S JOURNAL
The Bay Area's Secret Spirit Renaissance | February 2016
"The distillation is still homegrown improv jazz." A great read on our history, philosophy, and "taste for the eccentric, irreverent, and bold."
Paste Magazine
7 Best New Spirits of 2015 | December 2015
Paste includes our California Citrus Vodka in its round-up of the best new spirits of the year!
USA Today
10Best: Bourbon, Rye & Whiskey: Options Outside of Kentucky | November 2015
Our single malt makes USA Today’s list of notable non-Kentucky American whiskeys. Q&A with Lance rounds out the feature!
Diablo
Whiskey 101 | November 2015
Lance and Dave talk single malt in the November issue of Diablo. What it comes down to is that they “just want to make damn good whiskey.”
San Francisco Chronicle
Essential Checklist for the San Francisco Home Bar | October 2015
The Chron’s list of locavore bar essentials includes five(!) of our spirits.
Wall Street Journal
Time to Take Spiced Spirits Seriously | October 2015
Green Chile Vodka in the WSJ! Plus, Lance did a tasting with the editors of the Off Duty section—and you can listen to the podcast here.
Deadspin
11 Gins, Ranked | October 2015
Botanivore takes the top spot in this gin round-up from Deadspin.
Imbibe
Can’t Live Without | October 2015
“St. George Spirits is doing the Lord’s work,” says Jordana Rothman in this Imbibe Magazine feature on a few of her favorite things. Her kind words in their entirety are definitely worth a read!
Spirit Journal
September 2015
Top marks for all three of our vodkas from F. Paul Pacult, one of the most respected spirits reviewers in the world! In addition to five-star ratings, all three vodkas were highly commended. Here are excerpts:
St. George All Purpose Vodka: Needs nothing added to it. A hands-down instant classic.
St. George California Citrus Vodka: A rare gem of a citrus flavored vodka. Nothing short of brilliant.
St. George Green Chile Vodka: THE ONLY FLAVORED VODKA FOR BLOODY MARYS FROM THIS DAY FORWARD IN THE PACULT-WOODLEY HOME BAR.The full reviews do not appear online, but the issue is available at spiritjournal.com.