ABOUT RAMBLING SPIRITS
Rambling Spirits is a distillery, bar, and restaurant born from its founders’ love for California. Jon Carpenter and his wife, Ariette, wanted to present something that is more than just a distillery – the Rambling Spirits project is an ode to their home state and its people. The project will celebrate the small pauses we take to wander around and appreciate our surroundings, whether while surfing, hiking, or simply enjoying the moment (with a drink in hand) after a hard day of work.
Imagined and built by brazen beverage veterans, Rambling Spirits aims to distill spirits inspired (and sourced) by its surroundings: the rolling waves, grand morros full with edible vegetation, and the hard working people out on the land everyday. Rambling Spirits is the celebration of coming back home exhausted from a dogged pursuit of your craft (whatever your craft is) and raising a glass to it.
Rambling Spirits is based on the idea that craftsmanship is a day to day practice. The aim of perpetual improvement and challenging each member of the team to get out of their comfort zone and grow. Craftsmanship can’t be faked, it can only be obtained by constant motion and effort.
Jon and Ariette aim to distill years of experience in the food and beverage industry into a welcoming space for people to enjoy small bites and tasty drinks inspired by personal stories.
MEET OUR TEAM
JONATHAN CARPENTER
Jon studied both Political Science and Food Science & Technology at UC Davis and has been working in the beverage and service industries for 20 years. Over this tenure, he has designed and overseen the construction of several large and small scale beverage facilities, created recipes for several beverage brands and developed new processes for projects across North America.
ARIETTE ARMELLA
Ariette started her gastronomic career as a photographer and journalist collaborating with several lifestyle and culinary magazines. For more than ten years she has worked with internationally renowned chefs and restaurants. She is also the communications and PR manager for the Mexican Brewers Association (ACERMEX).
LIJA
Leaving behind a successful career as a gopher pointer, Lija joined the Rambling Spirits team to make sure her humans build it just right. This highly trained Rambler enjoys long hikes (as long as there's plenty of shadow), chasing seagulls at Pismo Beach and scoring tri tip bites whenever it's possible.
MICHAEL BEERS
Michael brings over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. A California native Michael began his journey as a server and bartender. Moving into management at a brewery and then into the fine dining world at several luxury properties. Michael spent the last 10 years in Arizona and is extremely happy to return to the Central Coast to be a part of the Rambling Spirits Team.
BRENEN BONETTI
Chef Brenen Bonetti was brought up on California’s central coast. Having a deep passion for the culinary world at a young age, Chef went on to attend the Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco. After ten years in the Bay, Brenen is now back home on the Central Coast. With two decades of culinary experience, he still cooks with the same love and reverence for California’s local fare. With a fire to move forward with what’s new as well as keeping grounded in his culinary roots, Chef Brenen will continue to cook with his passion for farm to table food and the unique experience for our patrons.
