A Guiding Light In The Spirit’s World
Both Anna and Wendelin built careers in the music industry, traveling the world and immersing themselves in cultures that sparked their creative appetites. Along the way, they discovered a shared love for whiskey. What they didn’t find, however, were brands that resonated with them as women—brands that spoke to their aesthetics, their experiences, or their place in the larger whiskey-drinking community. “We loved whiskey, but we didn’t see ourselves reflected in the brands we were drinking,” Wendelin recalls. Their pivot from music to whiskey occurred in 2020, when the pandemic halted live entertainment.
For Anna and Wendelin, it was an unexpected opportunity to pursue a dream. While many were waiting for the world to open again, the two cousins were sketching out a plan for a whiskey brand that felt fresh, inclusive, and deeply personal.
Women Changing the Industry
The timing couldn’t have been better. Women now account for 37 percent of whiskey drinkers in the U.S., yet just 8 percent of distilleries are woman-owned, according to Women in Distilling. That disparity is one Anna and Wendelin are determined to chip away at, both by leading Lodestar and by inspiring others to follow. Their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Forbes recently named them among 10 Women Changing the Whiskey Industry, recognition that underscored how far they’ve come in just a few years. “We weren’t trying to start a movement,” Anna says. “We just wanted to make something authentic to us. But seeing other women respond to it, and feeling like we’re part of a larger shift, is incredibly rewarding.”
Naming Their Guiding Light
Even the brand’s name reflects that sense of vision. A lodestar is a guiding light, a compass star that helps travelers find their way. For Anna and Wendelin, whiskey had been their guide through countless nights on the road, a touchstone of comfort and inspiration. Lodestar Whiskey, then, is not just a spirit; it’s a tribute to direction, connection, and shared journeys. And the spirit itself lives up to the story. Crafted with care and blended to appeal to both newcomers and seasoned aficionados, Lodestar strikes a balance that feels modern yet rooted in tradition. “Our goal was to create something approachable without sacrificing complexity,” Wendelin explains. “We wanted a whiskey you could sip neat, enjoy in a cocktail, or share with friends who might be trying it for the first time.” Lodestar has positioned itself in that sweet spot of accessibility and craftsmanship. Its tasting profile has been praised for its smoothness and versatility, a testament to Anna and Wendelin’s collaborative approach with master blenders and distillers.
Expanding the Conversation
Since its launch, Lodestar Whiskey has earned attention far beyond the whiskey world. Coverage has appeared in various outlets, including Access Daily with Mario & Kit, Good Day LA, Entrepreneur, Los Angeles Magazine, Success, and American Whiskey Magazine. Each feature has amplified the brand’s message: whiskey isn’t bound by gender, and inclusivity doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. Bars and restaurants across Los Angeles have also adopted Lodestar, with bottles now appearing at popular hot spots throughout California. For those outside LA, bottles are available through the brand’s official website.
Lodestar Whiskey is proof that innovation in this space doesn’t have to mean abandoning heritage—it can mean expanding it. The cousins are quick to point out that they’re not alone in this work. Increasingly, more women are entering the fields of distilling, bartending, and brand ownership each year. But they also acknowledge the uphill climb. “Representation matters,” Anna says. “The more women see themselves in this industry, the more they’ll feel empowered to step into it. That’s how change really happens.”
Looking Ahead
What’s next for Lodestar? Expansion is undoubtedly on the horizon, but Anna and Wendelin are careful not to lose sight of their core values. For them, it’s about creating a brand that not only tastes good but also feels meaningful. “Whiskey is about community,” Wendelin reflects. “It’s about sitting down with someone, sharing a glass, and having a conversation you might not have otherwise. Lodestar is our way of making sure those moments are open to everyone.”
In many ways, Lodestar Whiskey is less about a bottle and more about a belief. Anna and Wendelin have taken their experiences, their frustrations, and their love for the spirit and poured them into something that feels new yet timeless. So, the next time you see Lodestar Whiskey on the shelf or the menu, know that you’re not just picking up a drink. You’re raising a glass to change and to two cousins who dared to imagine a different kind of whiskey story—and made it real.
Anna & Wendelin: In Their Own Words
After telling the story of Lodestar Whiskey, we wanted to hear directly from the women behind the brand. Co-founders and cousins Anna Axster and Wendelin von Schroder share how they turned a shared love of whiskey into a thriving business, what inspires them, and why inclusivity matters as much as craftsmanship.
You both came from the music industry before starting Lodestar. What parallels do you see between creating music and creating whiskey?
Anna: And that’s precisely what we want for Lodestar. Our goal is for it to be the bottle people reach when they’re gathering with friends or family. It’s special enough to make those moments feel celebratory, but easygoing enough that you don’t have to save it for only “very special” occasions.
Wendelin: What we loved most about our work in music was creating occasions for people to come together over shared experiences.
Do you remember the exact moment when you said to each other, “We’re really going to do this”?
Anna: It felt like a light bulb moment. We’d been talking about it for a long time, and we both knew how few female voices there were in the whiskey world. That night, it just clicked. We wanted to be part of a new wave and shake things up.
Wendelin: Oh, yes, and a few drinks may have been involved. We were sitting in Anna’s kitchen after one of our family dinners, and she just said out loud, “Why don’t we actually do this?”
The pandemic catalyzed numerous pivots. How did it feel to take that leap into a completely different industry at such an uncertain time?
Anna: It was scary, but also the perfect moment. Like many people, we were missing that sense of togetherness and yearning for more meaning in what we do.
Wendelin: We wanted to create something that brought people back around the table. That’s what inspired the name Lodestar: it means a guiding star, something you navigate by. Our “guiding stars” are community, inclusivity, and joy, and we wanted that to shine through everything, from our name to our bottle.
Whiskey can be intimidating for newcomers. How did you strike a balance between creating a spirit that’s approachable and still appealing to seasoned whiskey lovers?
Anna: We paired a citrusy, spicy high-rye bourbon with rich, malty American Single Malt. Bottling at 90 proof means it retains its character in cocktails, while also making it beautiful and neat. Basically, we blended our dream whiskey—one you can mix, sip, and share without overthinking it.
Wendelin: Early on, we made a flavor wish list and realized blending was the way to get it all in one bottle. We wanted something layered enough for whiskey nerds, but smooth enough to win over newcomers.
What’s been your proudest moment since launching?
Anna: We soft-launched just in LA last year, so the thought of seeing Lodestar on the shelves where we shop is pretty cool. We’re keeping more details under wraps until everything is confirmed. Stay tuned!
Wendelin: Hearing from a major grocery chain that they want to carry us is definitely at the top of that list.
