Intrigued, I intend to ask more, but as the dirt road opens up to reveal a stunning West Coast style home, I realize we’ve arrived at our destination — Bruinwood Estate Distillery — and I’m awestruck by the structure that stands before us. We walk up a sloped grass hill, framed by sky-high trees and patches of towering sunflowers, and an airy craftsman-style timber frame home presents itself, perched above a cluster of natural boulders.

There, we’re welcomed by proprietor Jeff Barringer. As Barringer waves his hands dramatically and tells us of his past as a television producer, I’m distracted by the eclectic artwork that decorates the distillery’s walls. Barringer explains his production process, while his partner Danise pours samples for us to try. I have my eye on the Earl Grey gin, a curious concoction that blends flavours of bergamot and juniper to create a tempting tea-flavoured tipple.

Like painting, Barringer finds distilling to be an experimental artform, playing with unique flavours to create curious craft creations found nowhere else. I don’t leave without trying the Pechuga — a savoury Mexican liqueur made of chicken breast, mango, rice, corn, garlic and spices. Bruinwood is one of three stops on our sipping tour, and I’m smitten by both the crafts and the characters that I encounter throughout the day.