We are thrilled to allow certain distilled beverages onto our property! To maintain this privilege for future couples to enjoy, we need to be very careful to follow the guidelines that the Alcoholic Beverage Control has set forth for our specific licensing. Please read the entire document carefully as there is a lot of information and it’s all important. Here are the guidelines for our site:
- The liquor MUST be categorized as Brandy. This means that the label has to read "Brandy."
- The Brandy MUST be made from grapes.
- The couple (or parents) hosting the private event must purchase all liquor for the event.
- The bottles must be brought to VSJ with the original seal intact.
- These beverages may not be consumed by anyone, anywhere on the property, until the tasting room is closed and all public persons are off the property.
- The alcoholic beverages must be complimentary for event guests, no payment may be made for liquor or beer brought on-site by the event host (couple/parents of the couple).
- Straight shots of liquor may not be consumed on property by the couple, their family, friends, bridal party, or any vendor or guest in attendance at the event. All liquor must be mixed with a non-alcoholic mixer.
Please confirm the first two guidelines directly with the producer before purchasing. VSJ will not be held responsible for any purchased product that does not adhere to all rules and therefore cannot be used at the wedding. Consult with VSJ Event Manager for any questions. It’s highly recommended to run all liquor ideas and products by the Event Manager before purchase.
The EASY way to decide on your 3 signature cocktails with the most options to choose from:
We have partnered with Yes Cocktail Co conveniently located on Union and Golden Hill Rd to offer a tasting experience made just for you. This storefront can be your one-stop-shop for all of your brandy cocktail needs using brandies from different distilleries to create unique and delicious cocktails to fit every couple's taste. Though she can't sell brandy directly to you, we have set up one order form and credit card authorization form for all of the items necessary for the drinks you choose, then having it ready to pick up at her storefront on your wedding weekend. She would orchestrate getting your order to each distillery and have them deliver the paid liquor to her store for one pick-up before your rehearsal. Book with Lauren directly for a tasting of several qualifying distilled products (brandies) with her mixers all in one stop. Choose from cocktails like:
Margarita Look-Alikes
Cucumber Jalapeno
Passionfruit
Blood Orange & Chili
Blackberry Pomegranate
Meyer Lemon
Hibiscus Rose
Ginger
Prickly Pear
Key Lime with Glitter
Mojito Look-Alikes
Meyer Lemon
Passionfruit
Pineapple
Hibiscus Rose
Lavender Honey
Blackberry Pomegranate
Spritz
Classic
Lavender Honey
Hibiscus Rose
Tiki/Tropical
Mai-Tai
Fortune & Glory
Brambles/Coolers/Sours
Cucumber Jalapeno
Passionfruit
Moscow Mule
Blackberry Pomegranate
Lavender Lemon Bees' Knees
Prickly Pear
Key Lime with Glitter
Old Fashioned
Charred Oak & Maple
Cold Brew Coffee
Smoked
Toasted Pecan
Fig & Maple
Chocolate Peppermint
Classic
Cinnamon & Maple
If you'd be interested in setting up a tasting, schedule an appointment here: https://calendly.com/yestastingroom
Simplify to the max:
These canned cocktails are pre-approved and can be served as-is.
https://drinkloverboy.com/products/espresso-martini?variant=44055494820064
https://flybirdcocktails.com/
https://drinksabe.com/collections/cocktails
Buy brandy and limited mixers straighter from the distiller:
Tin City Distillery creates Brandy and Brandy cocktails that you can taste at their tasting room in Paso Robles. A few ideas are:
-Neutral: Distilled and bottled at 90 proof this spirit is used in our Margaritas, Pine-Oh, & Garden Cocktails
-Oak: Aged for two years in fully charred new American oak, this brandy is used for any cocktail that requires whiskey
-Fig Brandy : Neutral brandy aged with local Mission figs, a popular brandy for cocktails such as the Fig n Honey & Fig Old Fashioned
-Ghost Pepper Brandy : This brandy is best when used for our signature spicy Margarita or Bloody Mary
-Orange Brandy : Oak aged brandy is further aged with fresh and dried orange peels, wonderful as a Sidecar we use this in Old Fashioned cocktails and drink it with iced tea
-Cinnamon Brandy: Oak aged brandy is further aged with Sri Lankan cinnamon sticks to create a truly amazing spirit, it is used in our Tiki cocktail, the Dirty Horchata, and is great with coffee and eggnog as well
Please check out this link Tin City Distillery Spirits for their current brandy options.
Their team has over a century of bar experience to create a memorable cocktail experience for you. Call or email the distillery for a cocktail tasting. [email protected]
Buy your Brandy and create your own custom drinks at home:
Here are a list of approved brandies and other look-alike products:
Some of the liquors listed here https://www.willowcreekdistillery.com/ including thick mint chocolate liqueur, muddy waters coffee liqueur, nutty behavior walnut liqueur, VS brandy, VSOP brandy, Fig brandy
These 4 tequila and rum look-alikes https://drinksabe.com/pages/bottles
And the Tin City liquors listed above.
This option takes a significant amount of planning ahead, calculations for mixing on-site with the event manager, trips to the grocery store, cutting your own garnishes, etc. Everything must arrive at VSJ unopened (mixers and brandy).
Other Items to Consider:
VSJ does not provide bar service for brandy products unless the signature cocktails are pre-mixed on-site, in bulk, and under the direct supervision of the site manager the afternoon before the event. This VSJ service is offered for a maximum of 3 signature cocktails. All signature cocktail ingredients must be brought in sealed, then mixed under the direct supervision of the event manager BEFORE the rehearsal. Glassware and ice need to be provided, and up to one garnish per drink need to be prepared and ready for service (ex. citrus pre-cut). If you’re looking for custom drinks made-to-order for each guest, please plan to hire a licensed/insured bartending service for that portion. We are still able to serve the wine and beer with the staff we include in the venue site fee if you choose to bring in a bartending service for the liquor portion, but many companies will not allow this as it's shared liability. They may require you to use their services for all alcoholic beverages that evening.
Suggested bartending services locally for made-to-order cocktails:
Bottles and Ice https://www.bottlesandice.com/
Copper and Crystal https://www.copperandcrystal.com/
*These companies may or may not be familiar with our restrictions, please put them in contact with the event manager before finalizing your booking.
**Regardless of who you hire or how you decide to move forward with mixed drinks at VSJ, all liquor must be brandy or the items listed above. We cannot have other liquor on-site.
