Sternwheeler Craft Distillery

Name: Sternwheeler Craft Distillery

Owner(s): Pat & Jeanette Meerholz

Short bio: A true taste of the Kootenays – Sternwheeler Craft Distillery blends together locally grown fruit, small-batch care, and pure passion to create truly unique spirits right here in Creston, BC.

About the Business

What they offer: Sternwheeler creates handcrafted spirits in small batches using nothing but fresh, local, and homegrown fruit. No grains, no artificial flavours or colours, and everything is gluten-free. Their new lounge and patio are the perfect spot to try a tasting flight or enjoy one of their cocktails.

Unique approach or specialty: What sets Sternwheeler apart is their commitment to keeping it local, from the fruit they use to the hands-on process behind every bottle. Whether it’s picked from their own fields or sourced from nearby orchards, they keep things simple and honest, letting the natural flavours do the talking.

Their story: Sternwheeler Craft Distillery is the result of an adventurous journey rooted in family, community, and a surprising passion for Saskatoon berries. Owners Pat and Jeanette Meerholz, originally from South Africa, moved to Canada nearly 30 years ago. After planting Saskatoons on their Saskatchewan farm, their love for the fruit became a common thread. In 2013, they relocated to Wynndel, BC, where they purchased a Saskatoon orchard. After years of hands-on work and experimentation, Pat, driven by the desire to create fruit-based spirits, earned his Master’s in Distilling. By 2017, they opened Wynndel Craft Distillery, launching their award-winning products and becoming regulars at farmers markets across the Kootenays. The Sternwheeler name, inspired by the historic riverboats, became their new identity in 2024. Today, their downtown Creston location combines a distillery, tasting room, and newly opened lounge bar and patio, all rooted in a deep love for their community and a commitment to handcrafted quality.