La Rusticana d'Orsa
La Rusticana d’Orsa is a unique estate of rare beauty tucked away in the Santa Cruz Mountains, an appellation dedicated to fine wine production since the 1880s. The life’s work of Frank and Marilyn Dorsa, the vineyard is set atop terraced rolling hills delineated by rock walls and accented by roses, Italian Cypress, sculpture gardens, lily ponds, and fountains. It is a spiritual microcosm of Old World charm and peace seemingly light-years away from the bustling Silicon Valley below.
Author: Caroline Porsiel
Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.
