Domaine Charbay Distillers
The family is one of the early pioneers in the modern American artisan distillery movement. We began distilling in California in 1983 with Alambic Pot Still Brandy and haven’t stopped since. Our lineup includes whiskeys distilled from bottle-ready beer, brandies distilled from Napa Valley grapes, vodkas flavored with 100% real fruit or tea and rum distilled from sugar cane syrup.
Our family also makes wines, ports and aperitifs – using brandy they distill in their Alambic Pot Still (check out www.charbaywinery.com).
Marko is Generation XIII to carry on the family’s European heritage of fermenting & distilling. It’s hard to find someone with a more genuine love of the art form, grounded in solid experience. His 25-year apprenticeship covered every category of distilling. Only when he’d sourced, distilled and taken to market his very own spirit, his father said he’d earned the right to be called a Master Distiller.
Robert Plotkin, a present day authority, said: “No one family in the history of our great Union has contributed more to the welfare and general happiness of her citizens.”
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.
