Yahara Bay Distillers Embraces the Art of its Craft

MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yahara Bay Distillers (Yahara Bay), an award-winning Madison, Wisconsin-based artisan distillery, announced today the release of its new spirit: Seraphine Chai Tea Vodka, featuring a custom-created art label by contemporary Brazilian painter Jonatas Chimen. The product unites the two art forms: artisanal (small batch) distilling and contemporary art.

“When we created this partnership, I was excited to expand the horizons of what a painting can usually achieve, and to show that fine art – even with a classic technique – can exist outside the art gallery.”

Jonatas Chimen, a Brazilian-born artist and now an art specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, incorporates a mix of contemporary and classical styles into his work, which has subtle influences of political science, philosophy, psychology and history. He is an alumnus of the Art Institute of Weston and a former student of Conchita Firgau, a graduate from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, whose fellow alumni include Salvador Dali and Picasso.

“For the chai tea vodka, I wanted to paint something that represented the luscious flavor of chai tea in abstract form, but that would also influence the mood and give the sense of interior calmness,” said Chimen. “When we created this partnership, I was excited to expand the horizons of what a painting can usually achieve, and to show that fine art – even with a classic technique – can exist outside the art gallery.”

Yahara Bay’s partnership with renowned Brazilian artist Chimen speaks to the company’s deep support of the local community and local arts. Yahara Bay’s on-site gallery showcases the works of some of the Midwest’s emerging artists. The distiller hosts a weekly Public House/Art Gallery event every Thursday evening for tastings and tours.

“The blending of art forms is a growing concept,” said Nick Quint, owner and founder of Yahara Bay Distillers. “When we met Jonatas, and saw his artwork in our gallery, his unique style and personality was a perfect match for what our family-run distillery wanted to accomplish for this product. This union is a natural fit, as we both embrace the creativity and spirit of our craft.”

Since its inception in 2007, Yahara Bay has crafted its premium spirits in small batches to ensure quality, using its 90-gallon copper still, and incorporating fresh, local ingredients, such as grains, fruits and herbs. The company often experiments with flavors and combinations, which is how it arrived at the concept for its chai tea vodka during a fundraiser at a local community event.

Yahara Bay will make the Seraphine Chai Tea Vodka available for purchase through authorized distributors in November, and will offer bottles signed by the artist at various launch parties throughout the U.S. Yahara Bay plans to commission two additional paintings from Chimen for future product releases, including red pepper flavored vodka, set to launch in early 2013.

Vanilla Chai Latte Martini

4 Parts Yahara Bay Chai Tea Vodka

1 Part Vanilla Creamer

Dash of Cinnamon

Preparation:

Pour Vodka and Creamer into a mixing glass filled with ice cubes.

Shake vigorously for 20 seconds.

Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with a few dashes of cinnamon.

About Yahara Bay Distillers:

Founded in 2007, Yahara Bay Distillers is Madison's premier small batch distillery. Using the best local ingredients possible, the company produces 15 products, ranging from Gin and Vodka to whiskeys and liqueurs. Yahara Bay makes its products available through authorized distributors throughout the United States, with availability in select countries in 2013. Their products have received both gold and silver SIP awards and a gold MicroLiquor award in 2012, as well as two gold medals in the World Spirits competition in Switzerland in 2011. Yahara Bay hosts its weekly Public House/Art Gallery event every Thursday from 5-9 p.m. for tastings and tours. Special events and private tours are scheduled weekly by appointment. For more information about Yahara Bay, visit the company’s website at: http://www.yaharabay.com.