Chris Schaefer didn’t set out to build a distillery. It started as an experiment in his dad’s backyard, a curiosity that grew into a deeper practice of fermenting and distilling the fruits of Southern New Mexico.
Now, Dry Point Distillers stands as one of the state’s most locally-rooted small-batch operations, with a bar and distillery that share a wall and a mission: to make spirits that reflect where they come from.
The Origins
The story begins in Las Cruces, where Chris and his father, Stefan, first tried homebrewing before turning to a small still. They tested what they could gather and ferment — mesquite, chile, prickly pear.
That process, still hands-on today, formed the foundation for Dry Point’s approach. Chris sources local ingredients whenever possible, using Hatch red chile, orchard pomegranates, and other regional crops. What can’t be grown nearby is sourced as locally as possible. The idea isn’t to be rustic, it’s to stay honest.
The Spirits
Dry Point’s spirits speak for themselves. Mesa Vodka is distilled multiple times, filtered with a custom-built carbon filter, and bottled clean with a soft finish. Blue Corn Bourbon includes heirloom corn and traditional grains, aged in American oak to reflect both method and place. Monsoon Gin brings citrus and floral botanicals forward, finishing with desert herbs. Aged seven months in used brandy barrels, Barrel Aged Gin offers a woodier profile.
That same attention carries through beyond the spirits. Local artists help shape how Dry Point looks and feels. Jamila Gilbert illustrates the labels, each tied to plants and wildlife from the region, and shares stories of nearby makers through Dry Point’s social media channels. Photographer and designer Bree Lamb developed the logo and led the interior layout.
Once a family project, it now reflects a broader network of collaborators, each grounded in the same sense of purpose and place.
The Experience
Dry Point’s tasting room is compact and inviting. The bar shares a wall with the stills, and the drinks menu pulls from a growing list of in-house spirits and seasonal infusions. The food is prepared by local Chef Gary of Stone Crow Gourmet, known for fresh, flavorful dishes.
Some nights bring music, others just regulars trading stories over a drink. Larger groups are welcome, though a heads-up is helpful.
Planning Your Visit
Dry Point Distillers is located at 1680 Calle de Alvarez in Las Cruces. It’s open Wednesday through Saturday, with hours posted on social media and the website. If you can’t make the drive to Las Cruces anytime soon, their spirits are also available in multiple locations throughout the state.
Where to Buy in Santa Fe
° Cliff’s Package Liquor
° Kelly Liquor Barn
° Rodeo Plaza Liquors
° Total Wine (Zafarano Drive)
Crafting Spirits with Purpose and Place
Dry Point Distillers has a rare kind of clarity — one rooted in process, place, and purpose. Every bottle reflects the landscape that shaped it, from the New Mexico distillery’s use of regional ingredients to the careful design of its space and spirits.
For those who find themselves in Las Cruces, Dry Point is worth seeking out. Visit the tasting room, try a cocktail, and see firsthand how one Las Cruces distiller continues to shape what New Mexico spirits can be!
Dry Point Distillers is located at
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Story sponsored by Dry Point Distillers
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This article was posted by Jess
