The Los Californios Story
Welcome to Los Californios. Nestled on 6 acres in the Valle de Los Amigos on the outskirts of the San Diego backcountry, we are a craft artisanal distillery that exists for one simple reason. To enchant you. And how do we intend to do that, you ask? By producing for your enjoyment, the most unique and innovative farm-to-flask spirits. We make our spirits from our farm-grown ingredients and collaborations with other farms, wineries and breweries in California.
Our love for unique and innovative spirits is in our blood. We are seventh generation Californians, descended from the fiercely independent and self-sufficient families who settled Alta California more than 200 years ago. Those Californio settlers brought many early crops and agricultural innovations to California, and we strive to carry on their legacy with our distinctive palette-pleasing spirits.
Whiskey is the “water of life.” Indeed, for the early pioneers, whiskey was the “good creature of God,” made in small quantities by farmer-distillers. Here in San Diego’s last frontier, we operate a small agricultural ranch and are creating worldly spirits inspired by both living beings and ancient folklore. Our Papá León whiskey is distilled from a craft stout beer and was inspired by our grandfather, Eduardo León. Our Träube brandy is made from local artisanal wine and named after an iconic German punk rock bar that was a wine bar in the 1500’s.
At night here the owls hoot and coyotes howl. And you can almost hear the whisper of the Californios on the wind. From our farm to your flask, Salud!