5 Sonoma County Distilleries You Should Know

Spirits are moving us in Sonoma County. Distilleries are popping up all over, crafting hand-blended, drinkable delicacies like vodka, gin, and whiskey.

Not only can you see fine spirits being made right on site, but you can also sample them to discover whether you like your vodka plain or flavored with espresso and your gin simple or sloe. Below we give you five Sonoma County distilleries you need to know.

Hanson of Sonoma, Sonoma

Hanson of Sonoma offers a variety of drinking and dining options ideal for celebrating summer in style outdoors or inside. Guests have many options, including tasting Hanson’s organic fruit-infused vodkas and American Single Malt Double Barrel Whiskey, a luxurious martini and caviar pairing, spirit and cocktail flights, and meals from local restaurant girl & the fig.

Griffo Distillery, Petaluma

Located in eastern Petaluma, Griffo mills organic, non-GMO corn for its award-winning, London-style gin and distills it onsite in a 250-gallon Kentucky-made copper pot still named “Betty.” Owners Michael (he has a PhD in physics) and Jenny Griffo are dedicated to uniting craft and science to create delicious spirits that represent the beauty and bounty of Sonoma County. The 6,000-square-foot distillery includes a contemporary cocktail bar and tasting room.

Prohibition Spirits, Sonoma

The Italians may take credit for limoncello, but this artisanal company, owned by Fred and Amy Groth, perfected it — with Orangecello and FigCello, too! The company’s micro-distillery handcrafts spirits in small batches with tours and intimate tastings on specific dates. Prohibition Spirits also has a hip, urban tasting room on the plaza in Sonoma where you can savor the distillery’s Specialty Spirits, vodkas, brandies, gins, and delicious limoncello.

Sonoma Brothers Distilling, Windsor

Sonoma Brothers is an artisan distillery that’s the dream of Chris Matthies, a Santa Rosa firefighter, and his twin brother, Brandon, a Santa Rosa police officer. Their first batch of vodka was released in summer 2015, followed by bourbon and gin. Their tasting room is open by appointment only. You can find Sonoma Brothers spirits at Sonoma County Oliver’s Markets and restaurants like KIN in Windsor.

Spirit Works Distillery, Sebastopol

The grain-to-glass micro-distillery handcrafts gin, sloe gin, vodka, and wheat and rye whiskeys. Want to see the process in action? You can, in the tasting salon at this Barlow destination, where giant copper and steel stills work their magic right next to the bar. Husband-and-wife team Timo and Ashby Marshall use Timo’s British heritage recipes and Ashby’s West Coast-born palate to craft their popular spirits.

Finding More

Of course, this is just the start of the possibilities. Sonoma County offers more than a dozen artisan distilleries, close to a dozen cider producers, and more than two dozen craft breweries, with more of each in the works.  Check our list of Breweries, Distilleries, and Cider Houses, or follow the Sonoma County Craft Beverage Map to find even more craft beverage touring and tasting options.

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Written by Sonoma Insider Carey Sweet