Diane and David came to a distilling career in a circuitous way. First, we fell in love in 2004 over several Martinis. Then, over a vodka Martini during the summer of 2006, we decided we wanted to make our own Vodka. And it would have to be Organic Vodka! So, we instituted our own training program and visiting as many micro-distilleries as we could in Oregon meeting some great people who since have become great friends. After a year of getting the myriad of legal aspects taken care of, we ran an ad in the American Distiller’s Institutes e-newsletter for a Master Distiller. Thomas McKenzie, of Alabama fame and fortune, who was weaned by the ‘Moonshiners’ of the early 1900’s, replied to our ad and in his smooth southern accent and effervesence style convinced us that we should hire him. And we are so fortunate to have done so! So, in February of ’08, Thomas flew out and moved in with us for three weeks. And for three weeks, we worked every single day, Saturdays and Sundays included. He taught us so many things that one cannot learn in a book or at a workshop. He is truly a genius when it comes to making excellent, superior, tasty spirits. Looking back, we had no idea what we were getting into. We did not have any idea that we were starting a manufacturing business. Since then, we have done business with Box, Bottle, Cork, and Label Brokers, to mention a few. We have worked with the federal, state and local governments for Licensing. We have had more than our share of good fortune and good friends giving us good advice. And, the rest is history in the making.

Diane Paulson is the President and CEO of Cascade Peak Spirits Inc. A resident of Ashland since 1984, Diane holds a Master degree in Education, with vast experience in social work, teaching, and running a private business as a Real Estate Broker. Diane has a successful track record in client sales and has been an Oregon resident since 1975. Somewhere amidst her professional accomplishments, Diane,is the proud parent to her wonderfulf daughter, Natalie. Diane and David share a love of natural beauty and the outdoors, a simpler lifestyle, an appreciation and a passion for buying locally grown organic products. As fortune would have it, Diane was born a natural Entrepreneur. All the women in her family tree have been entrpreneurs, even during the 'Great Depression'. Diane will direct the business development of Cascade Peak Spirits, including creating growth strategies that maximize profitability, guiding new product development, and enhancing strategic partnerships and alliances. Diane is the 'Spirit' behind Cascade Peak Spirits.

David Eliasen is the Vice President of Cascade Peak Spirits Inc. and is responsible for product production and new product development. David brings a wealth of expertise in water quality to Organic Nation, having worked for the City of Ashland Water Department for ten years and also as the Water Master for a community water system in Jackson County. David will use only the purist water as a fundamental ingredient in the distillation of superior quality spirits. David is no stranger to water, having grown up in the Oregon coastal community of Newport. David values and respects a simple lifestyle and embodies the concept of community and sustainability in his everyday spirit and actions. David has received extensive training from the finest regional and national distillers and will use only locally grown organic ingredients in his distillery in Ashland. David’s first locally produced Organic Nation product was Organic Nation Vodka with a complex and savory Organic Nation gin debuting in August '08. Not far behind are a uniquely flavorful Ginger Vodka with plans for Whiskey in Spring of '09.


All together, this dynamic, creative, and passionate twosome has created the spirit of Organic Nation. Their weekly staff meetings are fun filled with stories of the Lloyd Thaxton TV dance show, frozen bananas on Balboa Island, hangin’ with Iz in Hawaii, to growing up in Oregon when it was more pristine than today. You’ll want to keep tabs on this spirited, skilled, and creative team!