9 Women-Led Gin Distilleries in Oregon

From the gorgeous shores of the Pacific coast to the Wallowa Mountains, Oregon features so many unique locales. It makes sense that these stunning views inspired incredible food and spirits. The state is home to some of the most impressive distillers in the country — let alone the world. Many of these distilleries happen to be run by talented women.

Meanwhile, craft distillers from Portland to Ashland find ways to reinvent classic spirits and resurrect historic recipes. Whiskey with a twist or aquavit developed in a traditional way. Oregonian distillers are creative and inspired. One area that they really excel at: gin. Gin distillers in this state are killing it.

As fans of Oregon, woman-run distilleries and gin, we jumped right into our Women in Distilling map to find female gin makers all around the state. If you’re ready to visit gin distillers between coastal hikes, camping trips on Crater Lake and skiing down Mount Hood, we’ve got you covered. Explore all of Oregon’s woman-led gin distilleries right here.

Oregon Spirit Distillers

Founded by Brad Irwin and his wife Kathy, Oregon Spirit Distillers established itself as the first grain-to-glass distillery in the central part of the state. Eventually, the pair passed distilling operations onto a carefully selected team of distillers, including Brandy Pieper who oversees production behind the scenes. The former food microbiologist who also is skilled at making dinnerware leads a team of 11 while delivering forecasting, planning and hands-on quality assurance for the team.

With a full line of whiskeys, Oregon Spirit Distillers stays busy with rye, bourbon and wheat whiskey. However, they’ve made time to craft an award-winning Dry Gin. Since it’s produced in Oregon’s high desert, the distillery created a flavor profile that reflects that with juniper, citrus, pine and sage each playing a big role. The final product earned double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2021.

Taste all of Oregon Spirit Distiller's Spirits in person at the tasting room. In the fall, the location opens from noon to 6pm on Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday. On Fridays, they extend those hours to 8pm.

740 NE First Street, Bend, Oregon 97701

Vivacity Spirits

After earning a degree in fermentation science from Oregon State University, Caitlin Prueitt followed her passion for distilled beverages and opened Vivacity Spirits. The first woman-owned craft distillery in the Willamette Valley, the business benefits from Caitlin’s vision and drive to create fine spirits but Caitlin’s co-owner and partner Chris Neumann brings his skills as a master craftsman.

Together, the two created a full lineup of spirits, including vodka, rum, brandy and a coffee liqueur. Caitlin and Chris crafted two distinct gins as well. The Bankers’ Gin follows the traditional London dry gin formula. However, the Native Gin really showcases Caitlin’s talent with flavors, using all Oregon-grown and native ingredients. It incorporates juniper from the Cascades, Oregonian grapes and hops grown in the Pacific Northwest.

Compare both gins and try the other spirits from Vivacity Spirits when you visit the tasting room. Open Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am to 6pm, drop by and say hi.

140 NE Hill St, Albany, Oregon 97321

Trail Distilling

A passion for Oregon City led Sara Brennan to launch Trail Distilling in the state’s “First City.” Already a mom and a wife, she took on the role of distillery owner with her husband, Jerry, and created a certified farm distillery and the first distillery in the town known for hosting the end of the Oregon Trail.

Each of the distillery’s spirits pays homage to Oregon City and its long history. Sara’s team distills whiskey, rum and vodka but the three gins they produce really steal the spotlight. The award-winning Trillium Gin incorporates 14 different botanicals and lands on a vibrant citrus flavor.

Try them both at the distillery’s tasting room, open Wednesday through Sunday from 2pm to 6pm. Appointments can also be made outside of those hours.

21553 S HWY 213, Oregon City, Oregon 97045

Ewing Young Distillery

Named for a fur trader turned Oregon pioneer, Ewing Young Distillery’s story drew Bev Root away from a lucrative career as the COO at a law firm. When Bev learned about Ewing Young and his history as a distiller — not to mention his grave location on her brother-in-law’s farm, her interest was piqued. She resurrected the namesake’s distillery (the first in the state) on the property with the aim of crafting spirits that evoked the essence of Oregon.

Those spirits cover a wide range of styles, including bourbon and potato vodka. The distillery’s Miranda’s Gin fits a bill that makes a great martini or pairs well with a mixer. It features a variety of botanicals, including Oregon hyssop and Cascade hops. It’s earned platinum from the SIP Awards, a silver from ADI’s International Spirits Competition, and has been named among the best 50 gins in America.

Check out this Oregonian gin when you visit the Ewing Young Farm. The tasting room opens to guests on Saturday from 1pm to 5:30pm then Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. Bottle sales also happen intermittently Wednesday through Friday.

18715 NE Highway 240, Newberg, Oregon 97132

Wild Roots Spirits

Ali Joseph began her journey into the spirits industry when she started infusing vodka with fruit during her college years. This eventually graduated into a full-blown business as she realized that the existing fruited vodkas on the market weren’t up to snuff, in her opinion. That’s when she launched Wild Root Spirits.

Initially, the business focused on infusing locally grown fruits into vodka. While that continues to be the primary spirit produced by Wild Roots Spirits, the brand also introduced infused gins. Three offerings include a traditional London Dry Gin, a Cucumber & Grapefruit Gin, and an Orange & Bergamot Gin.

Explore all three gins when dropping by the Wild Roots Spirits tasting room, open Wednesday through Sunday from 12pm to 6pm.

77 NE Grand Ave, Portland, Oregon 97232

The Aimsir Distilling Company

The concept for Aimsir Distilling Company arose the same year that Christine Hopkins gave birth to her first son — 2016. She teamed up with her engineer-minded husband, Steve, and used her keen business acumen to lead the business to a successful launch. Together, they created spirits meant for celebrating good times with good friends.

Among those spirits, the Aitil Gin, named for the Celtic word for juniper, expands the flavor profile to highlight other botanicals aside from the juniper. Additionally, the Rose Gin, a limited-release spirit, incorporates botanicals that mimic rose wine.

Taste the two distinct gin flavors when you visit Aimsir’s art deco-inspired tasting room, open Wednesday through Saturday, 4pm to 10pm.

Bindery Annex, 2117 NE Oregon St, Portland, Oregon 97232

Freeland Spirits

The inspiration for Freeland Spirits came from the founder’s grandmother. The woman that Jill Kuehler called Meemaw taught her that all good things are made from scratch. She also taught her that women can be and do anything they want to be. That’s what led Jill to launch the distillery and craft spirits from scratch with her Master Distiller, Molly Troupe.

Three gins are produced at Freeland. The Freeland Spirits Gin features a wide range of botanicals and smells of rosemary, mint and cucumber. Meanwhile, the Geneva Gin is an homage to Genever and incorporates flavors of Oregon hazelnuts. Finally, the Dry Gin follows a very traditional London Dry Gin style.

Discover all of Freeland’s spirits and their impressive cocktail menu at the Northwest tasting room, open every day from 12pm to 6pm.

2671 Northwest Vaughn Street, Portland, Oregon 97210

Stillweather Spirits

Co-owner Erin D’Achino followed up a nearly 20-year career in healthcare by launching Stillweather Spirits with her husband, Jeff, and business partner, Bill Jeans. Together, the three offer expertise in craftsmanship and science. This foundation allows them to create spirits that incorporate locally grown ingredients from their location in Portland, Oregon.

With a portfolio that includes two gins and an aquavit, Stillwater Spirits delivers three interesting perspectives on botanical spirits. The American Gin integrates traditional styles with the New World by diversifying the botanical bill with orange and other ingredients. Then there’s the West Coast Gin that offers a more contemporary gin that fits well with a gin and tonic.

Taste the two gins and the aquavit by requesting delivery of them in the Portland area.

Portland, Oregon

Jaz Spirits

Hailing from Alaska, Faith Dionne grew up with a passion for the forest and the flora and fauna that grew there. She later followed a career as a pastry chef. By launching Jaz Spirits, she combines all of her expertise into one. The wealth of ingredients she found in Portland, Oregon led her to develop spirits that embody everything she knows.

Faith’s spirits pay homage to her love of all things green. Her aptly named Cold Tree Gin brings forward flavors that remind the drinker of old-growth forests. The Riverain Dry Gin plays with distilled cottonwood buds and douglas fir to call on the riparian forests of Oregon.

Experience the forestry of Jaz Spirits gins when you taste them. Find them at local retailers using the brand’s product finder.

Oregon