Hanson Distillery

Hanson Distillery @ 22985 Burndale Rd, Sonoma, CA 95476

So I know vodka isn’t wine but since this distillery is in our backyard and they are making their juice with organic grapes from Sonoma and Napa counties, I think it’s equally deserving of a tasting room trip. They have built a state of the art distillery and the tasting room attached looks out at a beautiful landscaped pond with lovely outdoor spaces for relaxing with a cocktail in hand. Full disclosure I am not a vodka drinker. After an evening in a nightclub in NYC topped with other not fun experiences I have sworn off vodka since 2004. That being said I taste booze for a living. It’s a tough job, I know. I am genuinely impressed with the level and standards of Hanson vodka and they may just make me a convert yet.

Each window on this column still represents a separate chamber the alcohol vapor travels to become the smooth clean product in your glass

So let’s talk vodka for a minute. Like most distilled spirits you have your raw materials (cereal grains, potatoes, grapes) which are fermented by adding yeast to start the process of changing sugar into alcohol. Then the fermented mash is distilled at high temperatures turning alcohol into vapor which is caught and cooled becoming your finished product with a bit of dilution. For vodka, along with most spirits, the choice of raw materials, water and distillation process is of critical importance in the end product. Hanson takes no shortcuts to create their artisan organic vodka. Made from all organic grapes, they are crushed, fermented and made into wine. This wine then moves to copper pot stills connected to these large columns and makes five passes up and back through these individual chambers. The finished original vodka is a pure spirit with smooth rich flavor and a unique silky weighted texture in the mouth.

Maceration process of Hanson Habanero vodka. Sweet and savory peppers are adding to the fierce habanero to make a well rounded spicy vodka.

We were lucky to get a private tour from the master distiller himself, Chris Hanson. His passion for his work is clear in his storytelling. He walked us through their process and while they weren’t distilling that day, he gave a glimpse at the tanks of macerating vodka which sit for various amounts of time depending on the flavor. All of the fruit that goes into these vats needs to be organic as well in keeping with their certification. This particular flavor is my favorite and makes an excellent version of a spicy margarita or the obvious choice, bloody mary.

Full line-up of Hanson’s vodka including seasonal flavors & single malt whiskey

They offer different tasting experiences at both their distillery in Sonoma and a tasting room in the Hanson art gallery in Sausalito. Available options are the romantic chocolate and vodka tasting or a luxe caviar and martini pairing. We decided to taste through the entire line, with the help of a charcuterie plate, so we could try each expression as they were made. The nose on the meyer lemon and mandarin orange vodkas are sweet and the flavors of the vodkas are full and showcase many possibilities for unique cocktails. The cucumber as well as seasonal ginger have earthy notes and while they weren’t my favorite by themselves, I imagine they are prime for a gimlet or mule. Can’t say enough good things about the espresso flavor but it is clearly a favorite since they were all sold out.

They also have a full curated cocktail list which shows off their vodkas beautifully. Will ordered the Apple Spice which featured the original vodka with an infusion of Christmas spices, lemon and agave. It’s full of winter flavors and way too easy to drink. We also got a 750ml bottle of their pre-batched cocktail togo which you can also have delivered to your doorstep. The Pomms & Roses is a romanic combination of Hanson meyer lemon vodka, pomegranate juice, fresh lemon, agave and orange bitters. I highly recommend for a special date night at home.

I can’t pretend that I will drink vodka on the regular but I will continue to support this award winning family owned and operated spirit house. Hanson vodka is worthy of their acclaim so give them a visit or ask for it at your local cocktail spot.