Ventura Spirits is more than a distillery—it’s a story of local innovation, sustainability, and craft. Founded by four friends with deep roots on California’s Central Coast, the team has built a reputation for transforming regional ingredients and agricultural byproducts into distinctive spirits that celebrate the land they come from.
Four Friends, One Idea
The story of Ventura Spirits begins with Anthony and Andrew Caspary, Henry Tarmy, and James Greenspun—college friends united by a passion for craft and experimentation. What started as small-batch, garage-style distilling soon turned into something much bigger. After building much of their own equipment, the group formed an LLC in 2011 and officially launched Ventura Spirits in 2014.
From the beginning, their mission was simple but ambitious: to honor California’s agricultural abundance by creating one-of-a-kind spirits with local character—and to do it sustainably, by giving new life to surplus crops and forging strong ties with local farmers.
Innovation and Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of Ventura Spirits’ work, with creativity guiding every step.
- Using Local Produce: Partnering with farms across the Central Coast, the distillery turns imperfect strawberries, persimmons, and prickly pears into expressive brandies.
- Pioneering Agave Spirits: Among the first in California to use locally grown agave, they teamed up with La Paloma Ranch to craft a spirit truly unique to the region.
- Celebrating the Wild: Wilder Gin, distilled with native California botanicals, captures the sensory feel of the region’s wild landscapes.
- Waste Not, Want Not: By embracing overripe or rejected produce, Ventura Spirits helps reduce agricultural waste while creating bold new flavors.
“Allowing the land to dictate at least in part what goes in the bottle is a very attractive idea,” says co-founder Henry Tarmy, echoing the group’s respect for agriculture and terroir.
Crafting a Taste of the Coast
The founders’ do-it-yourself approach still defines their work. They designed and built their own pot-column hybrid still—a reflection of both their hands-on style and inventive spirit. From that foundation came a portfolio of spirits that capture the essence of the Central Coast:
- Strawberry Brandy and Vodka — made from fruit that would otherwise go to waste.
- Persimmon Brandy — smooth and full-bodied, crafted from surplus fruit.
- Agave Spirits — a rare California-grown expression of a timeless tradition.
- Wilder Gin — infused with local botanicals for a true taste of the wild.
- Vodkas and Liqueurs — each crafted from local grains and fruits creating a distinctly Californian identity.
Philosophy in a Bottle
Every Ventura Spirits bottle embodies the essence of the Central Coast, what the founders call a “sublime mix of the wild and the cultivated.” Their philosophy encourages experimentation and curiosity, always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the craft spirits world.
“We’re always asking ourselves, what else is out there that can become a spirit?” says head distiller Anthony Caspary. “That curiosity keeps us exploring and ensures that what we make is truly original.”
A Taste of Place
What began as a hobby among friends has evolved into a thriving distillery that reflects California’s land, culture, and creativity. Rooted in community and sustainability, Ventura Spirits continues to craft spirits that tell a story of place—a taste of the Central Coast, bottled for the world to enjoy.👉 Want to learn more about Ventura Spirits? Visit their tasting room Monday through Friday from 12 PM to 5 PM ($12) located at 3891 N Ventura Av. Suite B2A, Ventura, CA 93001, or explore their website at VenturaSpirits.com.
Photo credits: Ventura Spirits
