Another great time sampling the best spirits in Ventura County made even better by enjoying them with a friend :) This distillery is tucked away just enough that you feel in the know once you're there. A true hidden gem for both locals and visitors, and the perfect place to spend an hour or two. I've done their full tour before and learned so much about how much local produce comes through their doors to become the incredible spirits they're known for. Such a cool experience if you haven't done it yet. This time around, my friend and I popped into the tasting room to explore their seasonal liqueurs. On our list: * PERSIMMON LIQUEUR * APRICOT UMESHU * AGAVE LIQUEUR * GRAPEFRUIT CORDIAL I'm here to confirm these were ALL amazing! truly run, don't walk, to try these seasonal specials! I was so smitten I left with bottles of the apricot and grapefruit, but honestly, you can't go wrong with any of them. Hans was our teacher, mentor, and mixologist with the mostest. He crafted custom cocktails for both of us that blew our minds but still felt doable enough to recreate at home thanks to his tips. I went with a sweet apricot Collins, and my friend had a strawberry-forward old fashioned. 10/10 for both...easily some of the best cocktails we've had in a minute. Ventura Spirits really is your one-stop shop: tours, tastings, cocktails, and shopping all under one roof. If you have friends or family visiting, this is the adult activity to show off Ventura's best flavors and local produce. Huge thank you to Hans and the entire VS team for another wonderful day, learning and drinking, my two favorite things. read more

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Love the passion and hospitality from Brad and his team. We tried the sampler priced at $12.00 plus a few exclusive tasters not on the menu. Amazing chill vibe with handcrafted spirits! TOP FAVORITE = APRICOT UMESHU - Tecolotito - Prickly paloma pear Would absolutely be coming back again! read more

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Cute little distillery just a bit off the beaten path in Ventura! Dog-friendly; my boyfriend and I came here with his dog and she enjoyed the nice cool floors in here! They have a small bar and some tables, and it also looked like there was a tour going on when we were there which is probably also fun! I opted for the Limoncello Collins which was super delish; the bartender had a few options of their go-to cocktails and you could also put together whatever you'd like with what they have. Cool spot, nice merch and bottles to take home, and a cool vibe inside! We'll be back, easy stop on the way to Ojai as well. read more

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These days, it feels like quantity has drowned out quality. Everything is fast, convenient, and endless--delivered within hours, curated by algorithms, and consumed in an instant. And yet, something is missing. That something is what now drives me: a reverence for quality--in people, in places, in products. If time is the most valuable thing we have, shouldn't the way we spend it--and who we spend it with--be intentional, meaningful, and well-crafted? That's why I keep returning to Ventura Spirits Distillery. Located unassumingly on the outskirts of Ventura County's Route 33, this small but mighty distillery quietly upholds a lost art. Every bottle poured, every story shared, every detail in the tasting experience is shaped with purpose. Brad, one of the faces of Ventura Spirits, embodies that spirit. He's genuine. Passionate. Kind. And even though I've heard him tell the story behind their craft more than once, it always feels like the first time--because it means something to him. And that meaning resonates deeply with every group of friends I've brought along for the ride. Literally. You see, I've started a tradition: a 32-mile ride through Ventura County with a few carefully chosen companions--friends who value quality over hype. We pedal from Ventura Avenue, up and over into downtown Ojai, and back again. It's a physical challenge. A mental test. A commitment to earn the reward. And when we return? The reward is a tasting flight at Ventura Spirits--a toast to endurance, to friendship, and to the beauty of small-batch brilliance. Brad will walk us through their creations--spirits that celebrate local agriculture and regional history. Their Apricot Liqueur is unlike anything you've had before, bursting with flavor so rich and unexpected, you wonder why it's not a bar standard everywhere. But that's the magic: they're not following trends--they're honoring tradition and rewriting it with purpose. I won't spoil their story. That's Brad's to tell. But I will tell you this: the Strawberry Brandy is my favorite. It's a liquid homage to Ventura County's deep agricultural roots--carried by generations of Mexican, Japanese, and German families who cultivated the land. That the distillery recognizes and celebrates this heritage tells you all you need to know about their values. Their tasting room is more than a storefront--it's a time capsule. It's what small-town America should always be: inclusive, collaborative, humble, and human. A place where strangers become friends. Where you can share stories over a drink, dry off from the ride, and raise a glass to the things that truly matter. Quality. Story. Connection. You'll find all three at Ventura Spirits. read more

Loved it ! We had a great time. Tasted spirits , toured the distillery and took a few home . We learned so much. Candice is awesome. She took her time talking about each spirit. Cute distillery ! I will for sure be back again with my amigas / a read more

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE BEING A YELP ELITE & THE EXPERIENCE I HAD AT VENTURA SPIRITS WAS UNFORGETTABLE & UNMATCHED! I was already fans of theirs since meeting the owners & crew at Casa Pacifica. My business team & I were exhibitors at Casa Pacifica's biggest festival in 2023, where I showcased my Beef Lumpias, Sweet Chili Sauce & my Veggie Fried Rice. Since we worked next to them we got to know them a little. They hooked us up with drinks & we hooked them up with our Lumpias. It was so fun & fascinating listening to Brad talk about what they do at Ventura Spirits. I love their philosophy & the way they do things. I honestly could listen to him talk all afternoon. His passion & knowledge of distilling, food, wine, beer & alcohol are so evident & infectious. He thoroughly walked us through their process & also talked about how they rescued 50,000 gallons of strawberry juice & how they fermented & distilled it into a strawberry liquor. After the tour we were given 6 liquors for our tasting. We had these... 1.) Wilder Gin 2.) Opunitia Prickly Pear Spirit 3.) The Strawberry Thief - Waste Not 4.) Angeleno Bitters 5.) Limoncello 6.) Pineau Bleu I'm not wild about gin, so coming in, I knew it wouldn't be my favorite, but I came in with an open mind & it was better than expected. It's clean, botanical, slightly herbaceous, but not over powering. This isn't a liquor I'd ever pick up just because, but I appreciate it & now have an idea of how I'd pair it or use it for cooking. The Opunitia Spirit was one I had the most hopes for, but I didn't quite get the prickly pear flavor I was hoping for. It was smooth, full bodied, and it reminded me of when you were younger & you snuck one of your parents bottles out of their locked cabinet... it was stronger than I expected. It wasn't bad, it just seems too grown up for me. The Strawberry Thief was fruity, but not sweet. The complete surprise was the Angeleno! Oh, my gawd! This was out of left field... so damn good! I could taste strong notes of orange, orange peel, cinnamon & honey. My immediate thought was this would pair beautifully with a honey & cinnamon flavored olive oil cake & an Angeleno infused whipped cream would go wonderfully on top. The Limoncello was lemony in its scent & for some reason was not as sweet as I'd hoped for. It's the type of lemoncello that I can see being used in both sweet & savory applications for baking or cooking. It's pretty neutral that way. I had one of the most unexpectedly wonderful mornings/afternoons at Ventura Spirits Distillery. They have these tours open to the public year round, but they usually happen Friday - Sunday, 1-4 PM. And tastings are daily for only $12!!! My appreciation for not only what they do here, but also for growers of all kinds, farmers, farm workers has grown just because of the things Brad has explained to us. I love supporting local farmers by purchasing at farmers markets & going to grocery stores that contract with local farmers, so Ventura Spirits is another way you can support local, by purchasing alcohol from them. I'm so impressed by their operations & philosophy, that I plan on bringing any friends/family who come to visit here as part of my own personal tour I'd put together. I know that their location is a bit out of the way, but I highly recommend paying them a visit to go on the tour, do a tasting, but especially for gifts that are unique & off the beaten path. You will be a Rock Star among your friends! read more

Husband and I visited last weekend. It was great! She shared so much knowledge with us. Walked away with a few bottles.

Great place for a drink. If you are interested in really learning about their process sign up for their tour and tasting. Hans knows his STUFF! He was super friendly and very knowledgeable on everything to do with the distilling process. Me and my boyfriend ended up buying 3 more bottles after the tour and can't wait to get more in the future once their limited stuff gets bottled up. While you are doing the tastings Hans gives you more information about each item you try and different ways he uses them in different cocktails. Can't wait to go back and bring friends. read more

Ventura Spirits Distillery - Tastings - Distilleries Near Me - Ventura, California

So we went in for a tasting this Distillery is very simplistic. The tasting area is small but comfortable and there is a small shop with a few items for souvenirs, recipes, T's you get my drift. Rhyse our host was fantastic and very knowledgeable of the spirits and had many suggestions of mixing. If you're planning a tour you should reserve it. The Distillery is located on the bottom floor its location makes it a little difficult to find. read more

Ventura Spirits Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - Ventura, California

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Great experience had at Ventura Spirits Distillery! From the moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed with great hospitality! Employee provided us a great introduction to the distillery, spirits and history of the distillery. The location has gin, brandy, vodka and various can drinks! You can do a tasting or have a cocktail! Cocktails cost 12 dollars. They have a daily special or you can get a drink made to your desire! Note, due to law, you can only have one cocktail. Seating can be had at the bar or at a table on the manufacturing floor! Tours can be had by reservation on weekends! Great place to stop in! Great to support a local family business that's growing immensely! You can even find their products in trader Joe! Enjoy! read more

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Their spirits are unique and the location makes it feel like a speak easy of sorts. The staff made it really fun too.

this place is a gem. there were six of us that went here and the whole staff was so knowledgeable and fun to be with. You will definitely want to hit the spot. read more

Amazing hidden gem on The Ave! I brought my family here and it was a perfect way to spend a cloudy day. We called ahead to make sure there was seating and we had the place to ourselves. It's very tiny so not many more people could have fit anyway. The experience was so fun, everything we tasted was unique and explained to us so well by the host. We ended up taking home a few bottles afterwards because we wanted to support our local distillery and enjoy the delicious spirits back home. This isn't somewhere you spend hours because they're limited in how many drinks or tastings you can do so after the tasting you don't stick around for much longer. I will definitely be back with out of towners or to try one of their cocktails off of the menu. ps - look for the giant mural on the wall and walk down the loading dock ramp to enter. This was tricky. read more

Ventura Spirits Distillery - Entrance - Distilleries Near Me - Ventura, California

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We had such a good time at our distillery tour + tasting this past weekend! We made reservations online and when we needed to change our dates, they were so accommodating. Our party of five came for the 4 pm tasting on a Saturday and I think there were like 12 people total. Anthony was our tour guide and he was very knowledgeable. We got to see the distillery and ask questions and then we sampled many of their delicious creations. Our favorites were the prickly pear and the wilder gin, but honestly everything was really good. The whole thing took about 1.5 hours and was such a fun way to spend an evening. We would highly recommend to anyone in the area. read more

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I saw an article in the NY Times titled "Just Don't Call It Tequila" talking about places in the states that make spirits out of agave. This will never overtake Siete Leguas nor do they intend it to, but it is a very tasty distilled agave spirit. What blew me away was the Limoncello! As another reviewer stated, it is hard to find but it is well worth the trip. Hopefully Hans will be there when you arrive as he is very knowledgeable and friendly. read more

Maybe the ultimate blink and you'll miss it spot I've come across. Nestled between the calm and picturesque beaches of the Pacific Ocean and the desert route to Ojai is a tiny warehouse in the middle of nowhere. When you exit off the two lane highway, you stop at a fork in the road where you'd sooner find tumbleweeds than delicious drinks. The GPS tells you to turn left and then make another left down a quiet street and there you'll find a warehouse with a steep ramp down. You've arrived at Ventura Spirits. "She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts..." I remember the first time I came here and you take that steep walk down the ramp. It's literally just a warehouse. There were barrels and empty bottles, waiting to filled, everywhere. When I first came here, there was just the beginnings of their tasting rooms...you could still see the studs in the wall as the drywall was being put in. Years later, now it's got some charm to it...there's artwork on the walls...shelves to display their gorgeous bottles of spirits. When you do visit, do yourself a favor and do a tasting. The people who work here are not only nice, but very passionate about the products they make and sell and they have a very good reason to be. Everything here is amazing and even if I'm not a fan of say, amaro, you can taste the quality and thought behind every drop. If you're a gin connoisseur, their Wilder Gin is one of the best spirits I've tried. There's no need to reach for more expensive bottles of booze with juniper berries harvested from far away lands...For 40 or so dollars, you get one of the best drinking experiences you can have all made with ingredients sourced locally. The gin is the perfect compliment to their other liquors like the Limoncello and if it's in season, the Pixiecello made from local Ojai pixie tangerines. Almost everything they make here is sourced from local farms so every bottle has a taste of what California has to offer. On a warm day, their Limon or Pixie Collins is one of the best things to drink...not that there's many warm days in this part of town. The gin, liquor, and a splash of soda water and syrup is so refreshing. They also can their cocktails so it's easy to pick up a 4 pack and take it home to drink. If you prefer the brown stuff, their brandies are top notch as well. The strawberry brandy is one of the best things they offer...it's smooth to drink and tastes like the strawberry fields of Ventura/Oxnard. My favorite thing I've ever had from them though is the Pommeau...a mixture of their brandy and apple juice. In 2019 I came here and they hinted that it was something that they were working on. In the middle of lockdown they released it and I made sure to make the trip over, masked and everything, just to get a bottle. To this day, I'm savoring every drop until they make more. It's no surprise that everything is good...talk to the people who work here for a few minutes and you'll know how nice and passionate they are about their work. Do I recommend driving all the way out here and drinking alcohol and leaving? No, I don't...that's why you should stay a while and enjoy yourself. read more

Fun tasting! Really creative selection of craft spirits made locally drawing on California producers of non-traditional spirit bases like Oxnard strawberry and blueberry, Ohai pixies, and Santa Barbara agave. The small tasting room gives an open view into the working distillery, and the person leading the tasting was brimming with enthusiasm about what they produced. A very flavorful gin, and a fun stop just off the bike/hike tail. read more

I work in production at a different distillery in Los Angeles, and I still tell everyone I meet to come to Ventura Spirits if they want to see one of SoCal's absolute best distilleries. Everyone that works here is clearly very passionate and full of heart, and every time I stop by for a seasonal tasting I leave with a box full of alcohol and a smile on my face. You can taste the care in every spirit - from their wonderfully botanical Wilder Gin to their seasonal one-offs like the pixie-cello. Everything I've tasted has worked well both on its own and in a cocktail. If you ever have some time to spare, please stop by and give these guys yours support! read more

Ventura Spirits Distillery - Tasting room - Distilleries Near Me - Ventura, California

For such an unassuming building and atmosphere, it is an amazing experience to tour, taste, and experience the complexities of Ventura Spirits. Hans was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable tour guide who walked us through not only the process of producing the complex spirits, but how they incorporate local flavors like Pixi and Prickly Pear. I am a gin lover and an avid SoCal hiker, who has fallen head over heels for their Wilder Gin - made from the local California Chaparral. This was our family Christmas "experience" outing and it did not disappoint. We have been talking non-stop about it since our visit. I encourage everyone to make the drive, or bike on over to Ventura Spirits for a memorable tasting experience. Pick up a bottle to take home to continue the fun. read more

What great natural flavor in these spirits: blueberry, strawberry, local herbs, and cactus fruit! The team is very innovative and hospitable. Visiting the Distillery and taking the tour gave us insights into their precision and excellence. The tasting gave us more mixing ideas. We gladly added to our "collection" before we came home. read more

Ventura Spirits Distillery - Expanding our inventory! - Distilleries Near Me - Ventura, California

A group of seven of us had an great tasting with Reese last Saturday. Between us all we tried the YOLO, the Prickly Pear Brandy, Wilder Gin, Limoncello and the Amaro. All were very delicious and distinct with local herbs and fruits. Reese was so knowledgeable and friendly, she made it a wonderful experience. I have had Amaro in Italy and didn't like it, but Amaro Angeleno is amazing and cannot be missed. read more

Ventura Spirits Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - Ventura, California

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Very cool experience! Learned a lot during the tasting and Brad is super knowledgeable and fun!

Still open during the pandemic and worth a visit! We dropped by Ventura Spirits Distillery after needing a restock in liquor and thought it'd be great to support local on our day trip from LA. After parking, we made our way down the ramp to see a fairly large space and tables of many online orders. The employee there was very kind and charismatic (a fellow Bergen County New Jerseyan too ha!) and gave us the rundown of their various drinks. In the end, we bought a bottle of the Wilder Gin and were amazed at how smooth and good it tastes. Another highlight was their 6-pack canned Angeleno Spritz cocktails for $20. It's such a delicious cocktail and all ready to go in a can that's great for picnics or just at home too. They also have their own hand sanitizer if you are looking for some. Ever since visiting, I'm now noticing Ventura Spirits products at my local liquor stores. I am definitely hoping to be back for my next restock but it's great to see them at my nearby stores too! read more

Ventura Spirits Distillery - Inside of the distillery - Distilleries Near Me - Ventura, California

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I've loved Ventura Spirits for a long time now, their Wilder Gin is truly unique, and adds such great complexity to any cocktail. I finally made it down to the tasting room with a friend of mine on 1/23/24, in the afternoon and it was delightful. Hans took care of us, and led us on a tasting journey that really gave us an inside look at how ingredients are sourced, and the careful process of crafting such unique flavors. The Limoncello is particularly great, but I think their liquors are the true standouts. The strawberry liquor taste like you just opened a fresh jar of smuckers, it's fantastic. I've been a fan of their Persimmon Brandy in the past, and it appears everyone else was as well because they sold out. Thank goodness I already had a couple bottles hidden away in my house from last Christmas. Cute environment, friendly people, and great products. read more

I've followed this distillery from their humble beginning. It's been great to see them expand their offerings and no visit to Ojai is complete with a stop at their tasting room. I've also ordered special bottles shipped for gifts, too. read more

We had a great tour with tasting at Ventura Spirit today. James was hysterical and so informative about the process of making spirits. I didn't realize how many ways a spirit could transform from the use with and without a barrel. I also really enjoyed the little jars so that we could smell the different ingredients. I also really like they use locally sourced fruits and herbs to make all of their products. The gin and blueberry spirit are amazing!!!! Will be returning with family when they come to town to visit. read more

Ventura Spirits Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - Ventura, California

So fun to take the factory tour, go for cocktails or even pick up some favs to share. Awesome date! read more

If you want to go off the beaten path and find some unique distilled spirits, then this is the place to go. We only live down the street so went on a weekday while they were open. No ambiance in the "tasting room", but it's their warehouse where they manufacture their spirits so... The Limoncello is my favorite! I could drink a whole bottle in a week if I let myself haha. It's really nice they use local ingredients too, and that's what makes it unique. The dude who served us our tasting was super knowledgeable, and you could tell he loves his job and cares about the process. Go get yourself a nice bottle of Limoncello, or botanical gin, or even their canned cocktail and support a worthy local business! read more

We had an AMAZING visit here. It's in a weird industrial area surrounded by oil derricks, and the entrance was hard to find for us (you kind of just wander down into what looks like a truck ramp beneath the beautifully painted wall). They're also going through some renovations, so the inside didn't look very special. But Anthony saw us wandering around and waved us in. He set up a tasting table for us and talked us through all the spirits they produce. He's incredibly knowledgeable and interesting, and was so patient with my million questions. The spirits were all delicious and innovative. It was hard to limit myself to just a few purchases, but in the end, we went home with Angeleno Amaro, Pineau Bleu, and Tallien. Since the tasting room wasn't very busy, we also got a little informal tour of the facilities. What an absolute pleasure it was getting to learn about this small business, its incredible spirits, and its plans for the near future! We will definitely drop by anytime we are in SoCal. read more

Friendly and knowledgeable staff made our tour and tasting experience fantastic (as did the delicious spirits). If you are in the Ventura area stop in!! read more

Organized a tour and tasting with friends for my husband's birthday and everyone really enjoyed it! Our host was really knowledgeable and made the experience fun. During our tasting he also gave great suggestions on how to pair their spirits to have some great cocktails. We ended up buying a few items and will definitely try and make our way back to try the strawberry brandy we heard great things about. Definitely recommend checking this place out. read more

This was definitely an experience! My wife who is the gin aficionado and distillery minded one enjoyed the tasting and we enjoyed the conversation with Andrew and crew. A must try for California Spirits, provided so much information and their technique in embracing California produce. Great ambiance and purchased several bottles. Can't wait to experiment at home. read more

Well this place is the bomb! Is that still a thing to say or did i just date myself. Took the bike trail up from the Patagonia store and arrived in about 15 mins. It's right off the bike road in the basement of an industrial bldg.. Super friendly team working the bar area on a Sunday. Almost seemed like a speakeasy. They can only offer 1 cocktail per customer but it's worth it! They are famous for their award winning, super popular spirits including: Amaro Angeleno, Wilder Gin, Yolo, Limoncello... If you're in Ventura it's worth a visit and if you can't make it be on the lookout for their bottles with that unforgettable logo... read more

Ventura Spirits Distillery - sidewalk sign - Distilleries Near Me - Ventura, California

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Happened upon this place while on the bike path to Ojai. It is literally right next to it and they have bike parking inside right next to the distillery. We all did the $10 tasting and were blown away with the inventive stuff they are making, like the aromatic gin and the strawberry brandy. One of the owners was manning the bar and he also mixed up a few drinks. They have little cards printed with the drink recipes so you can recreate them at home. We bought a bottle of persimmon brandy and a vodka and they waived the tasting fee. Not only are the spirits delicious, but the bottles and labels are beautiful. Love supporting a local business. And a great way to end a bike ride! read more

Ventura Spirits Distillery - Trust me: worth a visit! - Distilleries Near Me - Ventura, California

Always great visiting Ventura Spirits. The staff are all so nice and helpful. We love their focus on Ventura County produce and California grains and botanicals, and being sustainable with their composting and spent grain feed for local farms. We stopped in today to find two new spirits: Ojai Pixie-cello, a light and refreshing tangerine liqueur with local Ojai citrus, and Yolo, their new blue agave spirit. Both are fantastic and will look lovely on our back bar alongside Wilder Gin, Amaro Angeleno, Haymaker Potato Vodka, Opuntia Prickly Pear Agave Spirit, and their Strawberry Brandy and Limoncello. We'll definitely be back every time we're in Ventura. read more

Ventura Spirits Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - Ventura, California

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Wonderful experience. We managed to convince them to give us a tasting on a thursday. A working day so we saw the place in action--canning some sort of seltzer for another company. nice little tasting room, all set up for easy explanations of all the spirits by a very knowledgeable and friendly host. It's so nice to be around people who like their jobs and do it well. All questions answered, interesting history of the company and detailed descriptions of how the spirits are made and how they are unique.. We ended up buying lots and checked off quite a few Xmas present boxes! read more

We swung by on our way back home to LA from Santa Barbara and I'm so glad we did... The guys inside were super nice and let us in a little bit before open and we grabbed a flight of bottles and a cute trucker hat. We've only tried two of the four so far but they're delicious and super unique. read more

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The spirits were wonderful. If you have the time, book the tour. (You have to do that in advance) Brad, our guide, was FABULOUS. He explained things, asked questions, talked about the products and the thoughts behind things. He was so personable and delightful. This is a hidden gem in Ventura County! Go and support. The spirits, the Wilder Gin, Limoncello and Amaro are to die for. Their canned cocktails hit it out of the park. Wish I could give them more than 5 stars. read more

This place is a hidden treasure, but I hope you all discover it soon, because they deserve to thrive, and you'll love it. We did the tour and tasting; the whole experience was very fun and casual, good conversation with the knowledgeable artisans leading the session, and we really enjoyed the unique and thoughtful spirits. We took home a bottle of their gin which is one of the best I've had the pleasure of drinking. It's very worth noting how great I think their mission and commitment to local and sustainable production practices are. Very highly recommend read more

Ventura Spirits Distillery - Good times - Distilleries Near Me - Ventura, California

Just had a tasting at the distillery with Reese and it was outstanding. She was so knowledgeable and nice. We had the best time. Everything we tasted was so good The lemoncillo was so good read more