Gig Harbor’s own Heritage Distilling Company is calling it a wrap on its tasting rooms across Washington and Oregon by the end of the year. CEO and Chair Justin Stiefel joined The Morning Ride to explain the tough call, pointing to what he calls a “challenging and unpredictable” business climate — from rising property and fuel taxes to wage hikes and new regulatory costs.
The closures will affect tasting rooms in Gig Harbor, Roslyn, Tumwater, and Eugene, Oregon, impacting about 50 employees. Heritage plans to keep distilling its award-winning spirits, shifting focus to wholesale and its successful Tribal Beverage Network partnerships, which will stay open at tribal casinos. Stiefel says the move is about transparency and sustainability — ensuring the company can continue crafting its signature bourbon, whiskey, and vodka while weathering Washington’s shifting economic landscape.
Listen to the full conversation between CEO Justin Stiefel and Phil Vandervort below:
