Distiller and Sommelier Erik Liedholm and Chef John Howie open their latest venture, Wildwood Spirits Co., today in Bothell. The tasting room and distillery are located adjacent to the Beardslee Public House which recently opened in August. "We are thrilled to be open and to be part of the Bothell community," says Liedholm. "We hope everyone enjoys our spirits with as much joy and passion as we have in making them."
Liedholm has already made a name for Wildwood with its award-winning Kur Gin and Stark Van Vatten Vodka, which have both won medals in multiple competitions since late 2014 including top honors from the New York World Wine and Spirits Competition and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the two most recognized competitions in the spirits industry. In addition to Liedholm, Mike Taib will serve as vice distiller and will manage the tasting room. Taib has been with the John Howie Restaurant Group for three years, most recently as part of the bar program at John Howie Steak.
Kur and Stark Vatten were first distilled at Michigan State University where Liedholm worked with master distiller Dr. Kris Berglund. They using ingredients shipped from Washington State, including 15,000 pounds of winter wheat, Braeburn apples, and Douglas Fir. With the opening of Wildwood Spirits Co., the entire production process—from mashing, fermentation, distillation and bottling—now occurs completely on site at the Bothell distillery.
The tasting room is reminiscent of an early 1900's English apothecary and is adorned with settees and big comfortable chairs for guests to relax and sip on free half-ounce tastes of Kur and Stark Van Vatten while admiring the beautiful Carl copper stills inside the distillery.
Wildwood Spirits Co. is located in Bothell at The Village at Beardslee Crossing, 19116 Beardslee Boulevard, Suite 102, adjacent to the recently opened Beardslee Public House. The tasting room will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. or by appointment.
