Hanson of Sonoma Distillery

Our group went to a birthday get together on a Friday here. They had a cocktail hour (5 to 8)...and everyone had all different fun drinks. Tho, Hansen is really known for their fabulous (grape based) vodka, we were also introduced to a gin and a double barrel whisky! So good!. They have a sleek back space for larger groups. Jack was an excellent host and very knowledgeable. The bar for smaller groups is perfect. I highly recommend a stop and visit. P.S. Our group, were colleagues from a local, around the corner winery, and so it's a nice change up to do a different sort of tasting. We highly recommend you try this experience, too, if you're visiting the wine area. You won't be disappointed.

Regular vodka is decent but the flavored varieties are so overpowering in their respective flavors that they should be reserved for sorority girls. Service in the tasting room is non existent. Avoid membership. Total rip off and as stated in other reviews, much cheaper to just buy for total wine or other retailers. Has potential but lack of customer service is what lands this distillery in sub 4.9 star territory. Try doing what your neighbors at Enkidu Winery do: deliver excellent customer service. Avoid until something changes...

What an impressive tasting room. Delicious cocktails, and I was very impressed by the smoothness of the vodka. My husband and I reside in Sonoma, and after a lunch at Lou’s Luncheonette up the road decided to finally visit this family owned and operated distillery. The bar stools are not stools…they’re more like bar chairs with excellent back support. We did not explore the outside area, but plan on doing so next time. Dogs are welcome outside, but not in the tasting room (they serve food).

I am surprised by some reviewers stating that they had poor service when visiting. We received excellent service, and $15 for a delicious cocktail made with premium, organic ingredients is an EXCELLENT value in Sonoma, please trust me on that. I’ve been drinking in this town since 2007. In Sonoma you pay $15+ for a cocktail with well spirits, if you want a premium vodka such as Hanson, you will pay considerably more.

Similarly surprised by some reviews stating that the 15% off membership discount is insufficient. When I read the membership pamphlet I thought to myself, this is actually one of the most affordable memberships that I’ve seen. Where else can you get a membership where you get 3 bottles a quarter for approximately $85? And that discount also applies to food and cocktails, and many products that are not available at your local Total Wine or Safeway. The membership appears to be a great value to me. You get the experience of going to the distillery and enjoying the many experiences that they have on offer.

I really admire what the Hanson family have lovingly created through what I can only imagine was a long process that probably had its ups and downs, but ultimately led to some absolutely delicious tasting and award winning vodka. This is a family business that also supports other family businesses in the Carneros wine growing region. If you are visiting Sonoma, please consider going wine (and vodka) 😀 tasting in Carneros. You won’t regret it!

Larry did a great tasting presentation at our conservative club in Oakmont, he has a good time doing the Hanson thing. Fred

I drive 2 hours to visit Hanson’s Distillery in Sonoma. The vodka’s are top notch and Jack is amazing in his knowledge and service. I wish I lived closer because I would LOVE to work there. SIX stars for HANSON’s

Drinks were good, Service was horrific!

Was debating on giving this a two stars because the service was so bad.

GOOD:
The drinks were outstanding. They were very creative a fun! Cocktails prices seemed appropriate for the area. We even took some bottles home, the lavender cocktails were incredible!

We did not get food, but the pizza did look great viewing from other tables.

BAD:
We were not greeted properly upon arrival. Our waiter seemed very cocky. They often disappeared and left us waiting several times. Even after going to the bar to order drinks, the bartenders would not help us which was ridiculous because they need to cover each other when a staff member disappears for long periods of time. We were instructed to wait until our hipster friend came back with his rolled up jeans instead of taking our orders. Total crap process!

The place was HOT. Definitely need fans or better AC.

We wont be back.

Everyone was so nice and the drinks were great. Beautiful scenery outside to sit and enjoy a drink. Highly recommend the drinks and atmosphere.

Stop by here for one of their tastings! Great experience with amazing staff!

My husband and I walked in and no one acknowledged us or even spoke to us. However, when we went to purchase a bottle another group walked in and someone immediately walked over and addressed them. I’m very disappointed since we had always been fond of this brand and had wanted to visit this location for a while.

This place really blew us away. My wife really wanted champagne and caviar on New Year's Eve but we settled on this place.
They had Thomas Keller caviar which was amazing but the vodka cocktails were fantastic. Who knew you could have amazing vodka made from wine grapes?
Sonia was behind the bar and made us feel special even though the place was steadily getting busier while we were there. She really killed it and made the visit unique and spefual, even though it was a simple affair.
We joined their vodka club on a whim and don't regret it at all.

I’ve been going to Hanson on and off since pre pandemic and Jack has always been an exceptional host with each visit, somehow going above and beyond even more with each visit.
10/10 for hospitality
10/10 service
10/10 exceptional cocktails
10/10 jokes and stories

We had a wonderful time at our vodka tasting Sonjia made the experience memorable.

I have not been to the actual site of Hansons but I must say that their vodka (specifically the Boysenberry) is the absolute BEST!! I look forward to going to the distillery!
Edit! I went to the Sonoma site to pick up my 3 bottles of Boysenberry ,(my favorite!) - the bar room and the grounds are beautiful! I'd like to have an event there sometime soon.

The tastings were underwhelming, and Sonja, the host, was far from impressive. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone.

Wow. What an unbelievable fun time. It was a great break between our wine and cheese to taste great Vodka. Staff was very knowledgeable and answered our questions. Great tastings. Sonja was an incredible host.