Bellemara Distillery sits in an industrial complex on Clerico Lane in Hillsborough Township, about 45 minutes southwest of New York City. Founded by husband-and-wife team Mike and Maria Posteraro, this New Jersey craft operation opened in 2019 after years of planning and navigating state regulations. Mike brings a background in brewing and distilling technology, while Maria handles the business side—they’re both hands-on in daily operations. The 3,000-square-foot facility houses a custom copper still system and produces bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, and gin in small batches. The Posteraros started this venture after Mike’s fascination with distilling grew from homebrewing hobby to serious pursuit. They spent three years working through New Jersey’s complex distillery licensing process and finding the right location that could handle production while welcoming visitors. Their approach focuses on traditional techniques with modern equipment—they source grains from regional farms when possible and age their whiskeys in new American oak barrels stored on-site. Mike handles the production side while Maria manages tastings and the retail operation. Visitors get a genuine behind-the-scenes look at small-batch distilling without the polish of larger operations. The space feels like what it is—a working distillery where you might catch Mike checking fermentation tanks or Maria preparing for the next tasting group. They offer guided tours that explain their grain-to-glass process, and tastings happen at a simple bar setup where you can try their current lineup. It’s intimate and educational rather than flashy, giving you direct access to the people actually making the spirits.