How far is the distillery from Louisville?

Neeley Family Distillery is about 45 minutes northeast of Louisville in Sparta, Kentucky. It's in Gallatin County, off the main Bourbon Trail routes, so plan for a bit of a drive through rural Kentucky.

What makes their bourbon different from larger distilleries?

The Neeleys grow some of their own corn right on the property and handle most of the production themselves as a family operation. You're tasting spirits made in small batches with direct family involvement from grain to bottle, rather than mass-produced bourbon.

CRAFT DISTILLERY

Wisconsin

Awildan Distilling

Sun Prairie,

Wisconsin

— Whiskey, Gin, Vodka

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🔨

DIY Build

Chuck and Angie built their entire facility

🥃

Triple Threat

Whiskey, gin, and vodka all made in-house

👥

Personal Touch

Founders personally handle tours and tastings

🌾

Grain to Glass

Complete control from mashing to bottling

🏭

Intimate Setting

Small groups, detailed conversations, real stories

📞

By Appointment

Call ahead to meet the distillers personally

🌐 http://awildan.com/

📍 5353 Maly Rd, Sun Prairie, WI 53590, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Bootstrap Distillery Built From Scratch

Tucked away on Maly Road in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Awildan Distilling represents a fascinating leap from corporate America to craft spirits. Founded by Chuck and Angie Wildan in 2018, this husband-and-wife operation transformed their vision of creating authentic, small-batch spirits into reality after Chuck left his career in business consulting. The name cleverly combines their last name with ‘wild,’ reflecting their adventurous approach to distilling. Operating out of a 3,200-square-foot facility, they’ve built everything from scratch, installing custom copper stills and creating a production space that feels both professional and personal. Their focus centers on whiskey, gin, and vodka, with each spirit reflecting their commitment to using quality ingredients and traditional distilling methods. What started as a dream discussed over dinner has evolved into a legitimate craft distillery that’s putting Sun Prairie on Wisconsin’s growing spirits map. The Wildans handle everything themselves, from mashing and distilling to bottling and marketing, creating an intimate operation where visitors can actually meet the people behind every bottle.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Founders Built Everything With Their Own Hands

Awildan stands out for being a true bootstrap operation where the founders literally built their distillery from the ground up with their own hands. Chuck and Angie Wildan didn’t just buy equipment and hire contractors—they researched, designed, and constructed much of their facility themselves, learning everything from electrical work to still operation along the way. This hands-on approach extends to their spirits, where they control every step from grain to glass. Their location in Sun Prairie, a smaller Wisconsin community, also sets them apart from the typical craft distillery scene. While many operations cluster in urban areas or tourist destinations, the Wildans chose to create something authentic in their own backyard. They’re not trying to be the biggest or flashiest—they’re focused on producing honest spirits that reflect their personal taste and standards, which creates a refreshingly unpretentious experience for visitors.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Meet the Makers Behind Every Bottle

Visiting Awildan feels like stepping into someone’s passionate hobby that happened to become a business. Chuck and Angie personally handle most tours and tastings, so you’re getting the story directly from the people who built everything you’re seeing. The space itself reflects their DIY approach—clean and functional rather than polished and corporate. You’ll see their copper stills up close, learn about their grain-to-glass process, and taste spirits while hearing stories about the challenges and victories of starting a distillery from scratch. The atmosphere is relaxed and conversational, more like visiting friends who happen to make excellent spirits than a formal tourist attraction. Tours are intimate, usually just a few people, which means you can ask questions and get detailed answers about everything from their mash bills to their future plans. The tasting room showcases their current lineup, and you’ll quickly realize these aren’t mass-produced spirits—each bottle represents hours of careful work and attention to detail.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Authentic Craft Operation Worth the Drive

If you appreciate authentic craft operations and enjoy meeting the actual people behind the product, Awildan delivers exactly that experience. This isn’t the place to go if you want elaborate facilities, gift shops full of branded merchandise, or slick marketing presentations. Instead, it’s perfect for spirits enthusiasts who want to understand how small-batch distilling actually works and what it takes to build a distillery from nothing. The Wildans’ genuine passion for their craft comes through in every conversation, making it educational and inspiring for anyone interested in entrepreneurship or artisanal production. It’s also a great stop for people exploring Wisconsin’s craft spirits scene who want to discover something off the beaten path. The intimate setting means you’ll learn more in an hour here than you might during larger, more commercialized distillery tours. Just don’t expect bells and whistles—expect authenticity, quality spirits, and the chance to support a true family operation that’s built something impressive through hard work and determination.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead to schedule your visit since Chuck and Angie handle tours personally and need to work around their production schedule. The distillery isn’t in a touristy area, so double-check your GPS and look for the industrial building with their signage. Weekends tend to work better for tours since that’s when they can step away from production duties. Come with questions about the distilling process—both Chuck and Angie love talking about their methods and the challenges of starting from scratch. If you’re interested in purchasing bottles, call ahead to check what’s currently available since their small-batch production means inventory changes frequently. The facility is clean and well-organized, but remember you’re visiting a working distillery, so dress appropriately. Don’t expect a fancy tasting room or elaborate setup—the focus here is on the spirits and the story behind them. Plan for about an hour if you want the full tour and tasting experience, though conversations with the Wildans can easily run longer if you’re genuinely interested in their operation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Awildan Distilling — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to call ahead to visit?

Yes, definitely call ahead since Chuck and Angie handle tours personally around their production schedule. They’re usually available for tours on weekends, but calling ensures they’ll be there and can give you their full attention.

Can I buy bottles to take home?

Yes, they sell their spirits on-site, though availability depends on their current production since they operate in small batches. It’s worth calling ahead to check what’s currently in stock if you’re interested in specific spirits.

Is this suitable for people new to craft spirits?

Absolutely. Chuck and Angie are great at explaining their process in accessible terms, and they enjoy educating visitors about craft distilling. You don’t need any background knowledge to appreciate their tour and tastings.

GETTING THERE

Find Awildan Distilling

📍5353 Maly Rd, Sun Prairie, WI 53590, USA

—

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