Pioneering Northern California Craft Whiskey House Opens First Phase of Newly Expanded Facilities with Appointment-Only Tasting Room, Looks Ahead to Further Growth
Rohnert Park, CA, August 1, 2019 – Northern California grain-to-glass whiskey pioneer Sonoma Distilling Company announces exciting updates in the company’s continued evolution. Since last fall, the company has completed the build-out of its new 12,000 sq. ft. Distillery; broken ground for a new 9,000 sq. ft. rickhouse; installed a new custom-crafted still from the Forsyths Company in Scotland, as well as an onsite grain smoker; deepened its eco-practices and began releasing a rotation of new seasonal whiskey offerings. Now, Sonoma Distilling Co. has opened its doors to appointment-only, on-site tours and tastings and is revamping its direct-to-consumer program — further solidifying its long-term commitment to being California’s premier whiskey producer.
Tours and Tastings. This month, Sonoma Distilling Company opened its much-anticipated appointment-only tasting room. Tours of the distillery facility, followed by guided tastings, are offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11:00am, 2:00pm, and 4:00pm and last approximately an hour and a half. Prepaid reservations for parties of one to twelve people ($15/person) can be made online using TOCK. Three tasting options are available, in addition to guests receiving a seasonally curated “welcome cocktail” upon arrival:
- NEAT – four ¼ oz pours of four different whiskeys from the Sonoma Distilling Company portfolio (Sonoma Rye Whiskey; Sonoma Bourbon; Cherrywood Rye Whiskey, and Sonoma Wheat Whiskey)
- SUMMER COCKTAIL – seasonal cocktail containing Sonoma Distilling Company house made shrub
- DESIGNATED DRIVER – guest’s choice of shrub, kombucha, or nitro coffee, all made in house
“We love having the opportunity to connect face-to-face with guests and to personally interact with people – locals and visitors alike – who are passionate about whiskey or are just looking for a fun Sonoma County experience,” says Adam Spiegel, Sonoma Distilling Company founder and Whiskeymaker. “Being able to provide an intimate tasting space and experience for our consumers has always been central to our business model and plan.”
Whiskey Club: Late this summer, the company will be reviving their popular Sonoma Distilling Whiskey Club, providing their fans with access to special bottlings, as well as curated programming and pairing events with local chefs, winemakers and artisans. Those interested will be able to sign up for the Club onsite in the Tasting Room and online.
New Seasonal Releases: Next up – Black Truffle Rye
Coming this fall (slated for arrival in market in early October), Sonoma Distilling Company will again be releasing Sonoma Black Truffle Rye, their highly acclaimed, limited-edition rye whiskey infused with black Perigord truffles (MSRP $85).
Looking Ahead. Sonoma Distilling Company has entered into a new phase of development and growth, one which further speaks to its dedication to being California’s premier craft whiskey. While the company has seen sustained growth over the past nine years, Spiegel is looking at the long term and is determined to grow only as quickly as quality allows, with a primary focus on crafting a whiskey that lives up to the region that they represent. With an eye toward the company’s tenth anniversary next year, Spiegel is looking at larger fermentation capacity and an incremental plan to expand his staff. The brand is currently distributed in seven U.S. markets— California, New York, Illinois, Florida, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Minnesota—as well as in the U.K., France, Germany, Australia, Italy and Spain. The brand has also just rolled out in Duty Free shops at San Francisco International, Los Angeles International and John F. Kennedy International airports.
