America's First Non-Alcoholic Tasting Room And Distillery To Open In Oregon

Non-alcoholic spirits have been on the rise for a few years now, and although some have credited their booming sales numbers to an increasing health consciousness among Americans that began during the coronavirus pandemic, in reality, the industry's growth predates the pandemic. The non-alcoholic spirits market has been growing by leaps and bounds from 2015 to 2021, expanding by over 500% in terms of size. Sales, too, have flourished. The market for these products was nearly $300 million in 2021, for example, and is projected to more than double over the next 10 years.

The dozens of new non-alcoholic spirits brands that have appeared over the past few years are a testament to the burgeoning demand for the products. But perhaps the biggest testament to the popularity of non-alcoholic spirits, and the best indication of their long-term appeal, is the upcoming unveiling of the nation's first completely non-alcoholic tasting room and distillery. According to Wilderton, the non-alcoholic producer behind the project, the impressive new facility will officially open its doors in Hood River, Oregon on July 1, with highlights that include a tasting room showcase for alcohol-free spirits and cocktails, a sizeable distillery operation, and a state-of-the-art laboratory geared towards future innovations.

Wilderton's spirits may be alcohol-free, but they boast plenty of flavor thanks to the presence of fruits, spices, and botanical extracts. The company launched a non-alcoholic Bittersweet Aperitivo last year that's reminiscent of famed Italian liqueurs like Aperol and Campari, and just as cocktail-friendly. These and other Wilderton products will be on display in the new tasting room, which will be open daily with an eye-catching design courtesy of Tello Interiors. According to Wilderton, new specialty cocktails will also be showcased during the summer months, as will happy hour pricing.

The tasting room may be the main attraction for locals and visitors, but distillery tours should also prove popular. The new distillery operation includes two massive stainless steel pieces of equipment — a 1,500 gallon tank for extracting botanicals, and a 1,000 gallon pot still — allowing more production capacity than Wilderton's previous shared facility in Portland. The onsite research lab, meanwhile, will spearhead the creation of innovative new products, per Wilderton's press release. Tours of the facility are only available via reservation, but the tasting room will open its doors every afternoon from noon to 6 p.m.

Wilderton, naturally, is thrilled with the new digs and excited about what it could mean for the brand. "In the traditional spirits world, I have seen firsthand how a home distillery and tasting room provides a powerful anchor for exploration, innovation, and brand transparency," noted Wilderton's CEO, Brad Whiting.