Why We Distill

At State Line, every spirit is an opportunity to tell a story. From American Gin and Vodka to our award-winning Coffee Liqueur, we use organic grains from Wisconsin’s Driftless Region, locally roasted coffee, and botanicals grown close to home to bring you the best of Wisconsin. Every pour is a celebration of the people and place we’re proud to call home. Because real matters. 

A Journey Rooted In Place

State Line was born over pints in a Scottish pub in the fall of 2012. While earning his Masters of Science in Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, founder John Mleziva dreamed of opening a distillery back home in Madison.

The vision was simple: create world-class spirits using organic grains from the Driftless Region, and share the best of Wisconsin with the world.

We humbly recognize that our distillery is built on Ho-Chunk land

crafted from the land

Our spirits are rooted in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region, where local farmers grow organic grains in some of the richest soil in the country. We mash, ferment, and distill every spirit onsite. The results are spirits that reveal the character of a place and reflect the passion of the people who create them.