Distillery
St. George
Artisanal spirits producer based in Alameda, California (USA), known for a range of distinctive gins (Terroir, Botanivore, Dry Rye), fruit brandies, vodka, absinthe and whiskey. A benchmark of the American craft spirits movement since the 1980s.
- Alameda · California · United States
- Since 1982
- 1 product
The story
Founded in 1982 by Jörg Rupf, St. George grew from an initial project focused on eau-de-vie into a full-scale craft distillery. Over the years it has introduced a wide range of products — including iconic gins like Terroir and Botanivore, fruit brandies and whiskey — and moved to its current Alameda premises during its expansion.
Production philosophy
A search for unique flavors through controlled experimentation, attention to the quality of local raw materials and artisanal techniques. The stated goal is to create distinctive and innovative spirits with integrity and a strong sense of place.
Territory
Headquarters and production in Alameda, in the San Francisco Bay (California). Many expressions, particularly the gins, are inspired by and sometimes made with local ingredients that evoke Californian landscapes.
Production method
Use of copper pot stills for distillation with mixed techniques: vapour-infusion (for some botanicals such as juniper and leaves) and maceration/pot distillation for other ingredients. Some expressions also undergo barrel-resting.
Distillation
Distillation in copper pot stills (pot still) combining vapour-infusion for some botanicals and immersion/maceration pot distillation for other ingredients; artisanal practices focused on aromatic expressiveness.
Ageing
For some expressions (e.g., Dry Rye Reposado) resting in wine casks; the whiskey and other releases undergo maturation in casks according to the style of the product.
Characteristics
- Type
- Distillery
- City
- Alameda
- Categories
- Californian craft gin
- eau-de-vie / fruit brandy
- absinthe
- American whiskey
- craft vodka
- craft liqueurs
- craft distillates
- Raw materials
- rye — base for Dry Rye Gin (100% pot‑distilled rye)
- Bartlett pears — for Pear Brandy (use of whole fruit)
- local apples (various varieties) — for California Reserve Apple Brandy
- Casks and ageing vessels
- Wine casks (ex-wine casks) in French and American oak (used for Dry Rye Reposado)
- Representative products
- Terroir Gin
- Botanivore Gin
- Dry Rye Gin
- Dry Rye Reposado Gin
- Pear Brandy
- California Reserve Apple Brandy
- Absinthe Verte
- St. George Single Malt Whiskey
What makes it distinctive
- Founded in 1982; considered among the first modern craft distilleries in the USA.
- Terroir Gin: a gin concept that evokes Californian landscapes and wilderness.
- Dry Rye Gin: based on 100% pot-distilled rye, with a reposado version aged in wine casks.
- Reference producer of fruit brandy (Pear Brandy) made with large quantities of fresh fruit.