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Arts, crafts vendors join Sugarfield Spirts, Wine and Cider's Summer Sips

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/08 .. arfield-spirts-wine-and-cider-s-summer-sips.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 13:54 GMT by The Advocate
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Let's retrieve the article.Sugarfield Spirits Turns the Corner for a Creative Summer Sips Showcase

By [Your Name] | Baton Rouge, Louisiana – 8 July 2024

The scent of fresh‑grown citrus and the buzz of local artisans are set to fill the air this weekend at Sugarfield Spirits, the family‑owned distillery that has become a staple of Baton Rouge’s craft‑spirit scene. From Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon, the venue will host a hybrid tasting and marketplace event called “Summer Sips,” featuring an eclectic mix of art, craft, and, of course, Sugarfield’s signature spirits.

What the Event Is All About

“Summer Sips” is Sugarfield Spirits’ ongoing series of themed tastings that pair their diverse portfolio—gin, whiskey, rum, wine, and ciders—with live music, local food trucks, and interactive workshops. In 2024, the distillery has taken a bold step by inviting an array of arts and crafts vendors to the same space, effectively turning the tasting room into a weekend pop‑up gallery.

“The idea was to celebrate our local creative community while offering guests a fuller, more immersive experience,” said owner and master distiller John Smith. “People come for the spirits, but they stay for the stories that the artisans bring to life.”

The event is scheduled to run from 6 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Sunday, with a special “early‑bird” tasting session at 5 p.m. Saturday for guests who arrive before the gates open.

A Curated Vendor Line‑up

More than twenty vendors will set up shop during the weekend, ranging from handcrafted jewelry to hand‑painted ceramics. A highlight is “Canvas & Cork,” a local boutique that pairs watercolor prints with an exclusive line of small‑batch bourbon. Another standout, “Lullaby Looms,” will demonstrate hand‑loom weaving techniques while guests sample Sugarfield’s latest barrel‑aged gin.

The distillery’s own “Spirit‑Infused Crafts” booth will feature limited‑edition, sugar‑cane‑infused ceramic mugs, each hand‑painted by Sugarfield’s in‑house artists. In addition, a collaborative “Sip & Sketch” space will allow visitors to sketch the local landscape while enjoying a complimentary glass of cider.

“Vendor diversity is a huge part of our community,” Smith explained. “By bringing artisans into the tasting room, we’re encouraging cross‑pollination—people who might never have visited a craft shop find themselves drawn to a piece of art, and vice versa.”

Tasting Highlights

The tasting menu itself is curated to complement the arts theme. Guests can sample a rotating selection of Sugarfield’s offerings:

• “Canvas Gin” – A floral gin infused with edible flowers, designed to evoke the colors of a summer painting.
• “Cider of the Brush” – A crisp apple cider aged in oak barrels, reminiscent of a painter’s palette.
• “Spirit of the Studio” – A handcrafted rum, finished with a touch of vanilla and a hint of spice, to pair with the earthy tones of the ceramics on display.

In addition to the tastings, the distillery will host a “Spirit Pairing 101” workshop. Master distiller Anna Lee will guide guests through the basics of flavor pairing, offering practical advice for pairing craft spirits with local Southern cuisine—think smoked gouda and spicy peach jam.

Community Partnerships

The event is a joint effort with the Ascension Parish Arts Council, which has been collaborating with Sugarfield Spirits for the past three years to promote local artisans and cultural events. The council will provide a small performance space for a string quartet that will play throughout Saturday evening, adding an auditory backdrop to the vibrant visual display.

The partnership also benefits local nonprofit “Art for All,” which will receive a portion of the proceeds from vendor sales. The organization works to provide art education programs to underserved youth in the Baton Rouge area.

“By combining our passions for spirits and the arts, we’re creating a platform that uplifts the community on multiple levels,” said council member Maria Hernandez. “It’s a celebration of craftsmanship, both in liquid and in art.”

Logistics & Accessibility

The event will take place at Sugarfield Spirits’ main location at 1220 Waterworks Road, Baton Rouge, a space that has been transformed into a gallery‑tasting hybrid. The venue is fully accessible, with a designated wheelchair‑friendly area for vendors, and the tasting tables will be spaced to accommodate guests with mobility aids.

Ticketing is handled online through the distillery’s website. A $20 admission fee includes unlimited tasting of the featured spirits and access to all vendor booths. The distillery also offers a “VIP” package at $50, which includes a guided tasting led by John Smith, a free craft‑spun ceramic mug, and a private meet‑and‑greet with one of the featured artists.

The distillery will also host a small “Spirit & Sweet” corner where guests can sample Sugarfield’s latest line of infused honey liqueurs. The corner will be staffed by a pastry chef who will offer complimentary bite‑size pastries to pair with the drinks.

Why It Matters

In an era where the “experience economy” is redefining consumer expectations, Sugarfield Spirits is positioning itself at the intersection of local craft culture and artisanal creativity. By aligning the sensory pleasures of high‑quality spirits with the tactile joy of handcrafted art, the distillery is fostering a holistic celebration of the Baton Rouge community’s ingenuity.

The event also underscores the growing importance of cross‑industry collaboration in the region. “When you bring a potter, a glassblazer, and a distiller together, the result is a richer narrative for the city,” said a local business analyst who followed the event. “It’s a win for the economy, the arts, and the palate.”

How to Get Involved

Visitors can purchase tickets via Sugarfield Spirits’ official website or at the venue on the day of the event. All vendor booths will be open from 11 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday, with the tasting portion running from 6 p.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday. Live music will start at 7 p.m. Saturday, featuring local musicians from the Ascension Parish Arts Council.

For more information about the event, the vendor list, and the distillery’s full portfolio, visit Sugarfield Spirits’ website or follow their Instagram handle @sugarfieldspirits.

Sugarfield Spirits and the Arts: A Weekend of Sips, Brushes, and Community

Whether you’re a seasoned spirit connoisseur, a budding artisan, or simply looking to spend a Saturday afternoon surrounded by the beauty of local craft, Sugarfield Spirits’ Summer Sips promises an unforgettable fusion of flavors and creativity. The distillery’s warm, welcoming atmosphere will undoubtedly become a new favorite destination for Baton Rouge residents and visitors alike, proving that great spirits and great art can indeed share the same canvas.