A little still. A big idea.
Like many great ideas, ours started with a little curiosity, a lot of ambition, and perhaps a questionable amount of free time.
Back in 2020, while everyone else was baking sourdough, Kelly decided to take things up a notch. Why just make bread when you could make booze?
With Kelly’s background as a chef and Alicia’s—better known as Ally—as a pastry chef, we were already comfortable experimenting with yeast, fermentation and flavour.
So, naturally, we bought a little still and got to work. What could possibly go wrong?
The first pour
Turns out, quite a lot of recipes could go wrong. After countless experiments, batches, tweaks and a whole lot of “Here, try this one,” Kelly finally made something that passed.
And just like that, Apple Pie O’My was born.
The plan was simple: sell a few bottles at farmers markets, earn a little extra cash, and have some fun along the way.
Well, we may have gotten a little carried away.
Things escalated
That innocent little side hustle became Ryes & Shine Craft Distillery. These photos show some of the work that went into turning the space into a home for our spirits, cocktails and guests.
Not exactly the folding table at the farmers market we’d originally pictured.
Ryes & Shine today
Today, our little hobby has become a 4,000-square-foot playground for spirit lovers, with a craft cocktail bar, tasting room and dog-friendly seasonal patio in Langford.
We’ve grown from one stubborn recipe to a range of unique spirits, with more ideas on the way and barrels of whisky quietly ageing. Some things are worth waiting for. Others are worth pouring right now.
Through it all, we’ve kept what got us here: a love of great flavours, a little culinary creativity, and the belief that life’s too short to drink boring booze.
We’re still experimenting, still dreaming up recipes, and still occasionally wondering how our little COVID hobby turned into all of this.
Would we change a thing? Not a chance.
There’s room for one more
Pull up a chair, try something new, and raise a glass with us. Whether you’re joining us in Langford or finding your next favourite bottle online, welcome to Ryes & Shine.
We started with a little still and a big idea.
Things escalated deliciously.
