Home Grown Spirits: Sac’s Local Distilleries

Home Grown Spirits: Sac’s Local Distilleries

Credit:@legadospirits

As a self-proclaimed foodie, it should come as no surprise that I like a good cocktail. In my search for local distilleries I had little luck in finding a proper list of them located around the area, inspiring the selection below. While not all of these distilleries are available for tours and tastings, it’s easy enough to find the spirits in our favorite bars and shops.

RDM Legado Whiskey

Sacramento, CA

Legado Whiskey was created by four women united by their passion for finely crafted spirits and mission to uplift by celebrating the inspiring stories of legends from all walks of life. This whiskey was delicately created for a smooth, complex blend with a hint a sweetness at its finish.

Their spirits include: Legado Straight Rye Whiskey & Legado Bourbon Whiskey

Follow @LegadoSpirits on Instagram to find their latest tasting in the city.

Gold River Distillery: Wheel House

Rancho Cordova, CA

Gold River Distillery is proud to be the first legal distillery in Sacramento County since Prohibition. This small-batch micro distillery is located just outside the city, in Rancho Cordova.

Their Wheel House American Dry Gin was received with high praise, as many were excited for an alternative to the more juniper-heavy style of a London Dry gin. In response to popular demand, they have produced several more products in the Wheel House spirit family including vodka, bourbon, whiskey, and more.

Visit the Gold River Distillery Tasting Room & Store. For hours check out their website here.

J.J. Pfister Distilling Company

Sacramento, CA

Each J.J. Pfister spirit is hand-crafted according to exact specifications, infusing their vodkas, whiskeys, bourbon, and brandies with unique, regional flavors. J.J. Pfister spirits embody the richness of the local environment and the timelessness of good taste.

Tours and Tasting:

Fridays 4-7, Saturdays 2-7, Sundays 2-5 (no appointments necessary)

Norstar Spirits: CAS 1854 Vodka

Sacramento, CA

This locally made vodka is the definition of small batch. Norstar Spirits is proud to say their full-bodied grain spirit is locally distilled (16 times), and boasts unsurpassed flavor and quality.

Checkout their website to find a bar or store selling this local liquor.

Amador & Dry Diggings Distillery

El Dorado Hills, CA

Dry Diggings Distillery was started in El Dorado County and Amador Distillery was started roughly a year later in Jackson, CA. Both operations eventually were brought together with a focus on locally grown fruit and grain. They ferment, distill, blend and bottle all products on site in El Dorado Hills. Over the past 2 years their tasting room has developed a large following in the local Sacramento region, across the U.S. and abroad.
This local distillery boast 25 labels with a wide variety of spirits.

Tastings are offered daily, reservations encouraged.

California Distilled Spirits

Auburn, CA

Founded in 2014, CDS is the first distillery to (legally) operate in Placer County since Prohibition. You may recognize their flagship Darjeeling Gin, from many bars and stores in Northern California

Find CDS Darjeeling Gin near you.

The Sac Bee called it “…the best gin you’ll ever taste… True to its name, this impeccably aromatic gin is flavored in part by Darjeeling tea, plus citrus peel and a top secret blend of spices.”

Preservation Spirits

Sacramento, CA

Coming soon…ish.

What we know: The first legal distillery in Sacramento (city) since the prohibition. Sign-up to receive updates on their opening via their website here.


Have a favorite distillery in the area? Leave us a comment below!



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