If you enjoy access to the very best locally produced food and drink it's hard to think of a better place to be than Northern California. Amazing produce fills the farmer's markets, world-class vineyards up and down the coast, super fresh seafood and some of the most highly rated craft breweries in the world. And now we can add craft distilling to the list too!

Mainstays like Germain Robin, Anchor, and Hangar One have put California on the map as a leading producer of small production spirits and the last decade has seen an explosion of small, high quality distillers. One of the more exciting recent additions is Lost Republic in Healdsburg.

Like many in Sonoma, master distiller Matt Weese grew up in the wine business. But his passion has always been for whiskey. So a few years ago he and a couple partners begin building a distillery-barn in the Sonoma hills. They are currently bottling two whiskies, a bourbon and a rye. Both are made from a blend of grain spirits sourced in Indiana, Tennessee and of course California. They are aged for at least 2 years in white oak barrels on site in Healdsburg.

The plan is to eventually use only locally sourced grains and distill and age everything in their own barn. In the meantime the current releases allow whiskey enthusiasts to taste Matt's approach, which is heavily influenced by his wine background. He emphasizes a balance of spice, herbs and sweetness with a judicious amount of oak spice. And unlike many craft whiskies, Lost Republic is priced for everyday consumption. We highly encourage you get on board early with this exciting project