Wild AZ Distillery is preparing to reopen the former Wild Hare Distillery at 5869 S. Kyrene Road, Suite 18, in Tempe. Owner and master distiller Kristen Chavez-Hatch told What Now Phoenix she hopes to welcome guests in the coming weeks, pending final county approval.
For Kristen, the purchase meant leaving a career of nearly 20 years in the financial industry to work on the business full-time.
“For me, leaving corporate life wasn’t a difficult decision. This is my dream, and I knew I had to be all in to bring it to life,” she said. “Turning our passion for creating spirits into a business felt like an opportunity worth putting my whole heart into. I believe in what we’re building, and I’m giving it everything I have,” she said.
Kristen is opening the distillery with her husband, Joshua Hatch. His interest in whiskey already included founding a local whiskey club, and visiting distilleries had become a favorite part of the couple’s travels.
In late November 2024, over cocktails, Kristen asked her husband why they weren’t opening a distillery themselves. By January, they were making plans.
They originally planned to open Wild AZ in another city in 2025. When those plans fell through, they had to start again. Then, in July 2026, they learned Wild Hare was for sale, just weeks before its owners planned to close.
Meeting the owners helped Kristen see a way forward.
“Purchasing an existing distillery gave us a foundation to build on while continuing a brand we had come to love. We only had weeks to bring everything together, but we found a way to make it work. It felt like the right people and the right opportunity coming together at the right time.”
That connection will carry into the tasting room. Wild Hare favorites will remain available alongside Wild AZ’s vodka and signature gin, with seasonal cocktails planned as well. Agave spirits and other additions will follow as the Wild AZ lineup develops.
The distilling team includes Randy Klingenmeier, who works with Kristen and Joshua as distiller and manager.
For the reopening, the owners are making minor changes and retaining much of the existing layout. More extensive renovations are planned for 2027, along with an event center, workshops, and additional experiences.
“Guests can expect a warm welcome and the opportunity to get to know the people behind our spirits. We want everyone to feel comfortable asking questions and learning about what we create,” she noted.
There will be no food menu at reopening, though Kristen is exploring small plates for next year. A grand opening celebration is also planned, but the date has yet to be announced.
For the Arizona native, the family-owned, Hispanic woman-owned business offers a way to express her heritage through the spirits she creates.
“I’m bringing the flavors of my heritage into the bottle and sharing something deeply personal,” she said. “Every bottle has a piece of my heart in it. It’s made with love, and I hope people feel that care when they take their first sip,” she added.
Follow Wild AZ Distillery on Instagram for reopening announcements and updates.
