Sternwheeler Craft Distillery

In downtown Creston, set in a fertile valley between the Selkirk and Purcell ranges, Sternwheeler Craft Distillery turns local fruit into small-batch spirits. Named for the historic riverboats that once helped settle the region, the distillery specializes in fruit-based brandies, gins, vodkas, liqueurs, moonshines, schnapps and Caribbean-style rums, made with fresh fruit from area orchards and their own farm rather than grains, artificial colours or added flavours. Originally founded in 2017 as Wynndel Craft Distilleries, the operation moved into a repurposed building in Creston and rebranded as Sternwheeler in 2024. Today the taste room, distillery, warehouse and barrel storage all sit under one roof, so a visit gives you a real sense of how the spirits come together from fruit to bottle. When you stop in, you can settle into the lounge bar, which opened in early 2025 and is stocked entirely with local products. It's a relaxed spot to work through a tasting of the lineup, compare the apple and peach brandies the distillery has become known for, and discover liqueurs and gins you won't find elsewhere. In the warmer months, outdoor seating lets you enjoy your flight in the Creston Valley sunshine. The distillery has earned a string of medals at the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition, including gold for its fruit brandies, which speaks to the quality behind the small-batch approach. Creston itself is a worthwhile detour for travelers crossing the Kootenays, known for its orchards, valley views and laid-back pace. A stop at Sternwheeler fits naturally into that rhythm, offering a chance to taste the fruit of the valley in liquid form and to chat with the people pouring it. It's a genuine taste of place.