Tucked into downtown Joseph, Oregon, at 604 N Main Street, Stein Distillery operates out of a compact storefront that feels more like a neighborhood bottle shop than a typical distillery. Founded by Paul Stein, a former pharmacist who traded prescriptions for proof, the operation launched in 2012 with the kind of small-town determination that defines eastern Oregon. You won’t find massive copper stills or sprawling rickhouses here—instead, Paul runs a tight operation focused on vodka, gin, and flavored spirits that reflect the agricultural bounty of the Wallowa Valley. The distillery occupies a modest space where production, tasting, and retail all happen under one roof, creating an intimate experience that’s about as far from corporate distilling as you can get. Paul’s journey from pharmacy to distillery wasn’t exactly planned. After years of measuring precise doses behind a counter, he found himself drawn to the precision and chemistry of distilling, starting with small batches and gradually building what would become Joseph’s first legal distillery. The operation reflects his methodical background—everything’s measured, tested, and refined with the attention to detail you’d expect from someone who spent decades ensuring accuracy mattered. He sources grains locally when possible and focuses on spirits that don’t require years of aging, allowing him to perfect recipes and get products to market while maintaining the kind of quality control that keeps customers coming back. What you’ll find here is unpretentious craft distilling at its most genuine. Paul handles most operations himself, from mashing to bottling, and he’s usually the one pouring tastings and explaining his process to visitors. The space feels more like visiting a friend’s workshop than a polished tourist destination, which is exactly what makes it worth seeking out. You can taste spirits that were likely distilled within sight of where you’re standing, ask questions directly to the person who made them, and leave with bottles that represent one person’s commitment to doing something well rather than doing something big.