Bruinwood Estate Distillery

Bruinwood Estate Distillery is a small farm-gate distillery located at 2040 Porter Road in Roberts Creek, British Columbia, on the Sunshine Coast. The business was established in 2018 by proprietors Jeff Barringer and Danise Lofstrom on their five-acre property, which also contains an apiary.

The idea for the distillery dates back to the late 1990s, when Barringer and Lofstrom were working as television producers on BC Wine Cellar. During a visit to Nichol Vineyards on the Naramata Bench, vineyard owner Alex Nichol discussed the possibility of European-style distilling developing alongside British Columbia's emerging farm-gate wine industry. The idea remained dormant for several years before the couple eventually decided to pursue it. According to Bruinwood, they then spent approximately two and a half years rezoning the property, obtaining provincial and federal licences, constructing the distillery and learning the practical aspects of spirit production.

Bruinwood describes its operation as a family business focused on small-batch spirits. An early profile of the distillery described its spirits as being made from 100% B.C. grains, fruits and honey, together with botanicals sourced from around the world.

Over the years, the distillery's range has included vodka, gin, aquavit, rye-based spirits, liqueurs and other specialty products. Products documented in its lineup include Aquasen Vodka, Chocolate Vodka, Espresso Vodka, several gin expressions, Advocaat, Akvavit, White Apple Rye Spirit, Nucino and various fruit and cream liqueurs.

Bruinwood gained recognition in Canadian craft-spirit competitions early in its history. At the 2020 Canadian Artisan Spirits Competition, its K'Neko honey spirit received Gold in Excellence in Terroir, while its Chocolate Vodka, Blackcurrant Gin and Advocaat received Silver medals. Its Gin, Espresso Vodka and Black Walnut Nucino received Bronze medals. The distillery's Advocaat had previously received the Audience Choice award for Best Liqueur at the 2019 BC Distilled festival.

The distillery operates a tasting room at its Roberts Creek property, where visitors can sample and purchase its spirits.