We’re in Napa Valley more than the average interior designer. One, because we’re in such close proximity. Two, because, well, wine. While we were in Sonoma a few weekends ago during a panel event with Traditional Home, Lee Industries, and Sonoma Country Antiques, we met a vintner of sorts. While he does use grapes to brew his concoctions, he does not make wine. Instead, he distills vodka. Chris Hanson of Hanson of Sonoma is a distillery entrepreneur in that he is one of the first to create an organic vodka label by distilling grapes.
Family-owned artisan distillers, Hanson relies on organic infusions, a unique distillation and filtration process, and a beautifully crafted label sets Hanson of Sonoma apart from their competitors. Hanson vodka is infused with real organic fruits and vegetables, which makes it good for you! Well, almost; the vodka is 40% ABV. Nonetheless, Hanson’s vodkas are all complex yet balanced, smooth yet gratifying. While we’ve never come out and said we’ve loved vodka in the past, if we were to fall in love, it’d be with Hanson’s.
What makes Hanson’s particularly interesting to us is their utilization of Sonoma’s resources. Through their filtration system, Hanson’s uses Sonoma Valley Artesian well water to filter the vodka to help manage the pH levels and minerals to create a smooth and balanced vodka. Thus far, Hanson’s carries six distinct flavors: original, mandarin, ginger, espresso, cucumber, and boysenberry. While they all sound yummy individually, they are all meant to be a component of fabulous mixed drinks like Moscow Mules and Bloody Marys.
Their fun colorways, uniquie labels, and interesting marketing concepts (the neck tags on each bottle of vodka is an ‘admit one’ to the Hanson of Sonoma distillery), Hanson has created a name for itself in the spirits business. Who knows, maybe we become bigger fans of vodka than we thought?
