New Seasons Market Introduces Home Grown Craft Spirits

Starting today, New Seasons Market will toast Northwest home grown distillers by selling local craft spirits in its Vancouver, Wash. store.

The company’s new liquor program takes advantage of Washington State’s recent voter-approved measure to allow private retailers to sell spirits.

“We’re committed to supporting aspiring, local farmers and purveyors in all we do, and Washington’s new liquor law presents us with an exciting opportunity to celebrate and nurture the Northwest’s craft spirits movement,” said Lisa Sedlar, New Seasons Market president and CEO.

“The changes in Washington’s liquor licensing program had many small distillers expressing a concern that they’d lose shelf placement in Washington as warehouse stores and national drug retailers jump into the liquor business,” said Toni Ketrenos, New Seasons Market’s wine and beer buyer. “We’ve built our program around helping them maintain a presence in Southwest Washington while also offering our customers convenient access to some amazing locally crafted brands.”

New Seasons Market’s Vancouver store will offer Southwest Washington’s broadest selection of local liquor brands featuring products made by 20 local distillers. These brands reflect the Northwest’s best places and icons, and the flavors capture the essence of local fruit and grain. Shoppers will find Bull Run Pacific Rum, Fremont Mischief Rye Whiskey, Woodinville Bourbon, Aviation Gin, Ebb + Flow Vodka, Clear Creek Apple and Pear Brandy, and Crater Lake Vodka, among many others.

“Our selection includes offerings from craft brewers and winemakers who are branching out into spirits as well as those produced by our region’s micro distilling pioneers, many of whom are now earning national accolades,” said Ketrenos. “Our staff is ready to share the great stories behind the bottles, and we’ll be hosting meet and greets with these local producers throughout the summer.”

Portland, Ore.-based New Seasons Market operates 12 stores in the Portland-Vancouver area.