From Embers to Eden

What began as a dream set among oak trees, meadows, and hillside skies has evolved into something far greater—a story of rebirth, family, and craftsmanship.

Long before Burnt Barn Distilling Co. had a name, Cliff and Melissa built a life on a property in Paradise, California, known lovingly as Chapelle de L’Artiste. The land was more than a home—it was a place of celebration and creativity, featuring cottages, a chapel, a pond, a cave, and even a llama barn. It welcomed artists, musicians, spiritual leaders, and friends from near and far.

Then, in November 2018, the Camp Fire changed everything. While much of what they had built was lost, the spirit of the land—and the family’s determination—remained.

Rather than let devastation define their story, Cliff and Melissa chose to build something new with help from their son, Taylor. In 2019, while living on the property in an RV, they envisioned a space that honored the family’s history in the military, their love of Paradise and the community’s resilience.

And so, Burnt Barn Distilling Co. was born—named not in sorrow, but in tribute to the art barn that once stood at the heart of their land honoring, and embracing their future in the art of distilling.

Shortly after, a neighboring 17-acre parcel—land they had long admired—became available. With a year-round creek, a pond, and remnants of a home once built by the same hands that constructed theirs, it felt like the perfect home for the distillery. Today, the original patio overlooking the pond serves as an ideal gathering place, a symbol of what endures.

Burnt Barn is more than a distillery. It’s a living tribute to grit, gratitude, and growth. It’s a place built by hand, shaped by hope, and shared with the community that continues to inspire us every day.

We are proud to bring something new and spirited to Paradise—a place to gather, raise a glass, and move forward together.