Spirits that Tell a Story

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.

From Grain to Glass

The Art of Distillation

At State Line, “grain to glass” isn’t just a phrase we print on bottles; it’s our guiding principle. It means we have input and control over the entire process, from the grains we select to the spirits you sip.

From day one, we’ve been committed to sourcing ingredients locally whenever possible. Wisconsin’s Driftless Region, with its rich agricultural history and unique geography, provides us with grains that form the foundation of our spirits. By working directly with nearby farmers, we not only highlight the terroir of Wisconsin, we also support the local community that makes our work possible.

Once the grain arrives, we mash, ferment, distill, and bottle every spirit on site. Fermentation may take just a few days, but it’s where yeast transforms sugar from grain into alcohol, laying the foundation of every spirit. Distillation is where science and art meet, and our team’s experience guides decisions that shape the flavor, aroma, and quality of the final product.

Grain to glass is about more than process. It’s about knowing why we make spirits the way we do. Being intentional at every step and connecting with others who share our same passion for craft. Real ingredients, real community, real spirits.

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.

organic grains

rooted in place

local partnerships

Our Team

John Mleziva

Founder & Head Distiller
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Mark Anunson

HEAD DISTILLER & PRODUCTION MANAGER
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Mike McDonald

BEVERAGE DIRECTOR
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Courtney Deisch

BAR MANAGER
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Rebekah Krajnik

ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER, DISTILLER
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Danielle Leoni

DISTILLER
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Connected by Craft

State Line is proud to be a member of the Artisan Grain Collaborative, a partnership that supports sustainable grain farming and local food systems. Collaborations like this keep us rooted in our community, strengthen our commitment to local sourcing, and ensure every bottle reflects the care and craft of the people and places behind it.