Know the difference between Cognac & Brandy? By the very simplest of definitions, Cognac is Brandy…read more Though, to be a Cognac, a Brandy has to be produced only in an authorized region of France & it has to be produced in accordance with specific rules & regulations. For more, check out the Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognac Beyond the literal definitions of Cognac & Brandy, there's also the likely perception that Cognacs are superior to Brandies. Just go down the liquor aisle of any major supermarket. The Cognacs stocked on the shelves are probably higher quality (& more expensive) than the Brandies. & maybe, to a certain extent, Cognacs do tend to be better than Brandies. But that most definitely is not the case with Germain-Robin Brandies. It's not surprising, really. G-R has its roots in Cognac. Instead of France, however, they're in Northern California. This is key. Rather than be bound by Old World dogma, following all those rules & regulations on how to make Cognac, G-R does what we crazy Californians have done all along. Defy convention. Experiment. Innovate. All with incredible effect. G-R Brandies have beaten much pricier Cognacs in blind tastings. I've been a huge fan of G-R's story, philosophy & Brandy for well over a decade now. So when I got the email invite for a tour of their distillery along with some old & rare tastings, I did not hesitate. 1 cheerful phone call later & my place on the tour/ tastings was reserved. The distillery is not easy to find. GPS Nav will only take you so far. You have to keep going down Bel Arbres Dr., past the sign that says private road & look for the driveway on the right. After the short driveway, there's a large gravel parking lot. The building housing the distillery, a squat steel structure, isn't much to look at. It's what's inside that counts. Through the entrance, it's immediately evident that G-R's got some major wood. French Oak barrels fill an expansive, open, high ceiling room, stacked floor to ceiling & wall to wall. Our small tour group congregated near the center of the barrel room until the tour started. Our tour guide, Ansley Coale, is 1 of the guys who got this whole thing started. We started in a side room with the still. There, we got a detailed rundown on the distillation process. After, back where we gathered earlier, the old & rare tastings got underway. & by old & rare, I mean carefully selected/ blended Brandies aged up to 30 years. Everything I tasted was absolutely exquisite. My personal favorite, the GR/30, is the single best spirit, any spirit, I've ever tasted. Amazing. Mind-blowing. While I didn't pony up the $$$$ to get a bottle of GR/30 that day, I reconsider that decision almost every day. It's that good. I'm thinking I need to get it sooner or later. Thank you Ansley Coale & all the folks at Germain-Robin for a great tour of your distillery & some of the finest tastings of my entire life. I've been a huge fan for a long time. Getting to visit the wellspring from which all your astounding elixirs flow was truly special for me.

Dog friendly and a true treat! The staff here are awesome and it is a wonderful spot for anyone…read moretruly serious and appreciative of an outstanding collection of diverse spirits. It was a memorable tasting experience and we respect their art of creating superior treats!!!

What an absolute delight!!! After two decades of visiting family in the area we stumbled upon…read moreRapscallion and what a fantastic change of pace. While we love our wine and sparklings it's very cool to find a craft distillery like this one. It is truly a family business and puts love and care into each bottle. I guarantee you will never find anything that comes close to the character and flavor of these bottles!

Found this burgeoning distillery by a chance search on Yelp on our way up north and once we saw…read moremention of a whiskey, we had to stop and give it a try. The owner was incredibly kind and hospitable allowing hubby and I to sample several established products and a few that were still in the works! It was clear that he and his wife enjoy experimenting with new spirits and flavors and we enjoyed sampling their efforts! We tried a few brandy-based liqueurs (apple, pomegranate, rootbeer), a gin, and a whiskey. The pomegranate brandy was like sipping a tart spiced apple cider and was pretty darn good! I could imagine it over ice or ice cream, or to spike a fall punch or hot toddy. The whiskey was produced using white oak staves that he chars and adds to steel tanks. It wasnt bad, but some additional time or tweaking might soften the bitter woodiness that overtook my palate. I did enjoy the gin in progress... it was herbaceous and subtle, not the kick-you-in-the-teeth juniper flavor that most mainstream gins have. This one was floral, grassy, and delicate and I can see it laying a nice foundation for many different cocktails. At the end of our tasting, our offer of payment was politely declined as our host explained that he just likes sharing his labors with others. I encourage others to visit this business and perhaps find a spirit that calls to you, and I wish its owners luck and success as they continue to develop and refine their products.

We stopped by to congratulate Crispin and Tamar on there recent win as Craft Distillery of the…read moreYear. We met as strangers and left as friends. The craft behind this distillery is amazing. Don't miss the experience.

We are total suckers for locally made items. In the case of Tamar, we found their Low Gap 3 year…read morestraight Bourbon Whiskey at the local Costco and decided to give it a try. Wow it was simply fantastic. Hints of vanilla and caramel on the nose and palate with a nice smooth finish. Given its price point, I regret not picking up a case. This is a excellent all around Bourbon and is ready to go neat with nothing else. THis is the second excellent distiller in the area and while wine and pot grab the headlines in Norcal the craft spirit movement is really noteworthy as well

We had a group of 15 - ranging in age from 4 to 54, and every one of us had a fabulous time! It was…read morefun, informative, thrilling, and safe all at the same time! Thank you, Skunk Train! We will be back!

The Excursion: We did the Skunk Train Rail Bikes, and it…read moreended up being such a memorable experience. This is a 24-mile ride--about 12 miles out and 12 miles back--on electrically assisted rail bikes. There are several trip options, and we chose the longer one. The route winds through the forest, alongside and over the Noyo River, with beautiful views of redwoods, pines, and peaceful stretches of nature. You cruise at a comfortable 9-12 mph pace, which feels just right: not too fast, not too slow, and perfect for taking in the surroundings. The bikes let you provide the level of effort you want to put in as the peddle assist is simply amazing. It all depends on how much effort you want put in, so don't let the peddling intimidate you. Our tour was full, meaning all available bikes were booked, but it never felt crowded. The team spaces each bike out, so every group gets its own personal experience, and that worked really well. You do travel together in a few spots, but there is still plenty of room to enjoy the ride at your own pace. There are several stops along the way where the guides share history, point out interesting details about the trees and plant life, and give everyone time to enjoy the forest. There is also enough time to step away briefly and enjoy the quiet, whether by yourself, with your partner, or with your group. Our guides were incredibly friendly, helpful, and happy to answer questions. They shared great information and personal experiences that made the tour even more enjoyable. The lunch provided was also better than expected: a deli-style lunch with a good-sized sandwich, chips, water, soda, and a snack. They even let us keep the reusable lunch bag, which was a nice touch. It did not feel like an afterthought. You meet at what first seems like a random location, where the group checks in with one of the guides. From there, everyone hikes down a switchback trail to the railroad and rail bikes. The trail is narrow but manageable for most people going down. Just keep in mind that you will hike back up the same trail at the end of the tour, so anyone with physical limitations should plan accordingly. Once you reach the starting area, the guides give a quick overview of how to operate the rail bikes and make any needed adjustments before heading out. When the tour begins, a lead guide starts out front while each bike leaves at timed intervals to keep everyone comfortably spread out. A second guide follows from the rear. Along the way, you stop several times, including at a railroad crossing and at the final destination where everyone has lunch before heading back. The return ride feels just as special as the ride out. It is a great time to relax, settle into the ride, and enjoy the quiet sounds of the bike and forest. If the tour is full, plan for it to take up most of your day. In my opinion, a larger tour actually makes the experience even better because you get the privacy of your own ride while still having chances to chat with the guides and other visitors at each stop. Our guides were Atlas and Travis, and they were absolutely wonderful. They were friendly, helpful, and made the whole experience feel easy and welcoming. We cannot say enough good things about them. Talk with them for a few minutes and you will know exactly what I mean. Overall: There is simply no better way to enjoy this environment than by rail bike. The experience was even more enjoyable than we expected, and I genuinely think everyone should try it. I have seen other rail bike tours that travel through open hills, but the Skunk Train offers something truly unique. Riding beneath the canopy of trees, following the Noyo River, crossing old bridges, and feeling immersed in such a beautiful setting made this tour unforgettable. Atlas and Travis really put the cherry on top. They kept everyone engaged, entertained, and comfortable throughout the day, and their friendly approach made the tour feel less like a business transaction and more like spending time with good company. They worked hard, made the experience special, and absolutely deserved more than the standard tip. We highly recommend this tour and would happily encourage anyone visiting the area to give it a try.

I must have driven by this winery a hundred times always meaning to stop and never doing it. Sunday…read moreI was traveling back from Glen County and decided it was time knowing I needed birthday presents and the chance to chat with a new friend. The property and building is immaculate, like an Erin Hanson original painting. While pristine, the staff makes you feel welcome the second you arrive. Their knowledge and passion for the product is evident all the way up to the head wine craftsman Anton, growing is local legend. The wines are all fabulous, the one pictured might be my favorite. I highly recommend you check these folks out, you won't regret it.

About a 45 minute drive north of Santa Rosa you'll find this winery on the west side of the…read morefreeway. If you miss the sign it looks like a beautiful old house sitting above HWY 101 overlooking well maintained vineyards. We've been wine club members here for a while. We keep coming back for the great wine and great service and hospitality from the tasting room staff. Today Brook and Monica were super attentive and made us feel right at home. Our favorite wine ones here are the Jaxzin, Hales Zinfandel, Wedding Cake Primitivo. Walk up the flagstone steps to the entrance and on a nice day sit out on the deck enjoying the views overlooking the vineyards. Don't forget to bring a picnic or charcuterie board when visiting.

Stopped by Ukiah in the late '90's I think. Like everyone says, the shop was small and hard to find…read morebut it was recommended by the Marketing Director when we visited Dry Creek winery. Sampling was one-on-one and generous. I remember sampling 'Havana' - blended specifically with a very short finish so as to not to conflict with a puff on your cigar. I have been drinking Germaine-Robin since both regular and XO. It is now very hard to find in Southern Oregon... so I am out. Last of the XO finished in April 2020.

Super hard to find but worth it. The tasting was very interesting. A lot of unique stuff and…read morereally high quality. The decor was a pleasant surprise. Alot of unique, Americana and antique items that all had great stories behind them. Could have spent hours in there.

Walked in for a tasting and had an amazing time and a great chat with Jason. Got to learn a lot…read moreabout the process and experimentation that goes into making their spirits. They've got everything I love about small-scale craft places: passionate people, great spirits, and no pretentiousness. They're also not afraid to recommend and promote the wineries and tasting rooms around them. Got some nice recommendations from Jason. If you're staying at Dry Creek Inn and like all things whiskey, gin, and brandy, you gotta pop in.

Craft spirits tasting is underrated. We learned a lot and got to taste some delicious new things…read morelike an oak aged gin and local apple liqueur. Their rye whiskey and coffee liqueur were my favorites. The place is sort of hidden but is worth seeking out. We also got some great recommendations for things to do in the area and service was excellent. It's casual.

Gotta go there every time we're in Healdsburg. Great selection and the mixologist (gal) was…read moreimpressive. Actually adjusted our drink after straw test. Impressive attention to detail.

Very creative spirits at this distillery. Bourbon is there focus with great Vodka too. Large space…read morewould be great for events

Had a wonderful lunch today while here in Booneville. Salad & avocado cheese bacon sandwhich…read more Our cocktails were well made and hit the spot Our server Fed couldn't have been any nicer Side note: last night I got up the basement Speak Easy style bar for a double bourbon

If heaven opened a restaurant and taught it how to distill , this place would be it. Nestled in the…read moreheart of the kind of quaint little town where flower baskets sway from every lamp post and strangers still wave at you from porches, this restaurant and distillery feels less like a business and more like a family The lighting is warm and inviting enough to make everyone look like they've just returned from a European vacation, and the staff somehow manages to be both impossibly professional and genuinely charming. The food? Absurd. Borderline offensive to every other meal I've ever eaten. I ordered one dish and ended up emotionally attached to it. Every bite tasted like a chef looked deep into my soul and said, "I can fix you." The wings and Caesar salad are impeccable. And the town itself? Storybook levels of adorable, tiny boutique shops, tasting rooms and, sweet locals. You half expect a folk band to appear in the square at sunset while someone offers you something. 11/10. I would fake a birthday, anniversary, or minor personal crisis just to have an excuse to go back.