When you step into Bridgeland Distillery in Calgary, you're not just entering a tasting room—you're walking into a love letter to tradition, innovation, and the spirit of community. Nestled in the vibrant Bridgeland-Riverside neighborhood, this award-winning gem has been rewriting the rulebook on craft distilling since opening its doors in 2018.

A Meeting of Minds and Spirits

Every great distillery has an origin story, but Bridgeland's is particularly charming. Picture this: two engineers, Jacques Tremblay and Daniel Plenzik, meet at a distilling workshop in the Okanagan in 2016. Jacques, a geomatics engineer, brought his Québécois heritage and passion for whisky. Daniel, an electrical engineer, carried with him generations of Italian winemaking tradition from his family's vineyards in the hills of Piemonte, Italy.

With names like Jacques and Daniel, they joke it was fate that led them to focus on brandy and whisky. But it's Daniel's Italian roots that truly set Bridgeland apart from other craft distilleries. While most new distilleries play it safe with gin and vodka to keep the lights on, Jacques and Daniel took a different path—one steeped in the cultural traditions of their backgrounds.

Daniel's family history in viticulture and winemaking wasn't just a hobby; it was woven into the fabric of who he is. That heritage shines through in every bottle of grappa, limoncello, and brandy that Bridgeland produces. In fact, they're currently the only distillery in Alberta making grappa and Cognac-style brandy—a testament to their commitment to honoring Italian distilling traditions while celebrating Alberta's exceptional ingredients.

Daniel Plenzik and Jacques Tremblay (photo courtesy Bridgeland)

Bridgeland Distillery (photo courtesy Bridgeland)

An Awards Cabinet Worth Bragging About

Speaking of exceptional—Bridgeland Distillery isn't just making spirits; they're making waves. Year after year, their dedication to quality has earned them serious recognition:

Three category gold medals at the 2025 Canadian Whisky Awards for their Artisan Glenbow Port Finish Single Malt Whisky
Gold and Silver medals at the 2025 Canadian Whisky Awards, with standout finishes for their Taber Corn and Wheat whiskies
Alberta Distillery of the Year at the Alberta Spirits Awards
Their Moscato Brandy and Eau De Vigne Grappolo from Gewurztraminer received the highest possible rankings at the 2023 World Drinks Awards

What's their secret? According to Jacques and Daniel, it starts with sourcing fresh, local Alberta grain directly from farmers. But it's also about that engineering precision they both bring to the craft. As former engineers, they approach distilling with meticulous attention to detail—from the chemistry of fermentation to maintaining an immaculate production facility.

A Space That Celebrates History and Craft

The distillery itself is a beauty. Located in what was once the Eisenburg furniture showroom—a building that served the community for 97 years—Bridgeland Distillery honors Calgary's past while looking to the future. Their logo features the Reconciliation Bridge, one of Calgary's oldest structures, symbolizing their commitment to connecting people and traditions.

Inside, you'll find a spacious tasting room rich with wood and brass, complete with an aging room where whisky matures in charred oak barrels and brandy mellows in lightly toasted ones. They even have a custom 1,200-liter Vendome copper pot still with a coil condenser imported from Kentucky.

Vendome pot still with coil condenser (photo courtesy Bridgeland)

The Cocktail Bar Experience

But Bridgeland isn't just about bottles on shelves—it's about bringing people together over exceptional drinks. Their cocktail bar and the tasting room helmed by charsimatic bartender Iryna Horobets is where the magic happens for visitors. Open for retail throughout the week with tastings and weekend tours, it's become a beloved gathering spot for both locals and visitors.

The Café Baines

Now, let's talk about the drink that's become a signature favorite—the Café Baines, named after Calgary's Tom Baines Bridge. Bridgeland uses their own Gewürztraminer Brandy, creating a coffee cocktail that's uniquely their own. They shake heavy cream with vanilla syrup until it's luxuriously thick, then add their aromatic Gewürztraminer Brandy to a double shot of espresso. The thick vanilla cream is layered on top, finished with drops of Black Cloud Cabaret aromatic bitters. The result? A drink that you sip through the velvety cream, getting that perfect balance of coffee, brandy, and sweetness in every taste.

Café Baines, an exquisite twist on an Irish Coffee

Why Bridgeland Stands Out

In a world where many craft distilleries follow the same playbook, Bridgeland Distillery dares to be different. They honor Daniel's Italian heritage and Jacques's Québécois roots. They use glacier-fed Alberta water and locally sourced grains. They age their spirits with the patience of artisans and the precision of engineers.

Whether you're a whisky enthusiast, a brandy lover, or just someone who appreciates exceptional craft spirits and great cocktails, Bridgeland Distillery is worth the visit. Tours run Friday through Sunday. So next time you're in Calgary, swing by 77 Edmonton Trail N.E. and raise a glass at Bridgeland Distillery.

Bridgeland Distillery’s products are available not only from their retail shop but also liquor stores throughout Alberta, Duty-free shops at YYC Calgary International Airport and top restaurants and bars such as Eight and After Eight.

Touring Bridgeland with Daniel and Chef Darren MacLean of Eight and After Eight Calgary.

Salute!

Raising a Glass to Bridgeland Distillery: Where Italian Heritage Meets Alberta Craft