Senza Maeso distillery and tasting room opens

With standing room only available inside the Senza Maeso tasting room on Saturday last week, the Senza Maeso distillery and tasting room held its grand opening. Outdoors guests listened to live music and vendors offered a variety of things for sale including Senza Maeso merchandise.

Brothers Jay and Ryan Gitman teamed up to produce an unusual hybrid spirit and liqueur created from the South American cape gooseberry. Bottled at a higher proof than traditional liqueurs with no added sugars, the taste is bright, balanced and complex with notes of apricot and citrus. It can be drunk neat, on the rocks or in a classic cocktail. The brothers have also created a vodka from corn called R.A.Y. Vodka.

Senza Maeso, a Spanish-Italian hybrid term meaning “without a master,” reflects a brand based on years of experimentation into unique spirits. Located at 1090 FM32 in San Marcos, less than a mile from the junction of RR12 and FM32, the high concept roadhouse style tasting room and bar was inspired by science fiction themes. Tasting room hours are Thursday through Monday from 1 to 9 p.m.