When someone owns and operates both a successful winery and art gallery, starting a distillery might not feel like the next logical step. Unless, of course, you’re James Frey of Trisaetum Winery.

Frey has received international acclaim for his Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay, including Third Best Wine in the World in 2015 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. His unique paintings, now owned by collectors and corporations throughout the world, often incorporate vineyard cuttings, Pinot Noir grape skins— even vineyard soil. View his pieces currently displayed at The Allison Inn and Spa in Newberg, and as far away as The Clarion Hotel Post in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Maison Louis Jadot in Beaune, France.

For many, those accomplishments would suffice. But daughter Tatum Frey (the “aetum” in Trisaetum) describes her father as equal parts brilliant and impatient. “He’s a mover and shaker, known for having lots of great ideas. My dad is in constant pursuit of building, growing, experimenting and improving.”

At some point along James Frey’s winemaking journey, he developed a passion for spirits. “I have serious trouble only doing one of anything, so I channeled my enthusiasm into building a distillery. As Tatum began to show an interest in distilling, it became obvious that we should start Brixeur Spirits.” Read the whole story here on Oregon Wine Press.