Napa Valley and Sonoma County may be well-known as the Wine Country, but that isn’t the only amazing and carefully crafted drink on offer. There is also an abundance of amazing artisan distilleries and small-batch breweries that are well worth a visit.

Most of the distilleries also offer amazing tours where you can learn all about the process of transforming just a few mere ingredients into these mouth-watering and delectable drinks that we know and love. You can also take part in many tasting sessions and I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how much fun that will be.

So, if you’re looking for the best distillery to visit during your trip, you’ll want to keep on reading.

Top 10 Distilleries In Napa Valley & Sonoma

1. Fieldwork Brewing 

610 First Street, Napa, CA 94559

If you love a little hustle and bustle, you’ll adore Fieldwork Brewing. Found in the Oxbow Public Market, this beautiful local brewery has one of the best taprooms downtown Napa has to offer.

There’s always new and fresh releases of different craft beers on optio here. You can choose to sample them in a sampler flight, you can opt for a whole pint glass, or you could even choose to take your drink to go in one of their Crowler cans.

If you do take your drink to go, be sure to wander around the Oxbow Market and find a delicious tasty treat to pair your perfect beverage with!

2. Hanson Of Sonoma Distillery

22985 Burndale Road, Sonoma, CA 95476

If you enjoy a tipple of vodka, then you’ll need to visit this family-owned craft distillery. Hanson Of Sonoma is quite unique in the spirits in which it offers as it focuses primarily on organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, grape-based vodka. And wow, does it taste good.

The process of how this is done is actually pretty interesting. You see, typically vodka is made from rice, rye, wheat, or similar ingredients. But not this one, it uses grapes. So this means it first turns the grapes into wine and then the wine is turned into vodka!

You’ll want to ensure that you book yourself a spot at the vodka tasting session so that you can try an abundance of the wonderfully flavored vodkas they have on offer. They’re so unique and different! From espresso to cucumber, ginger to habanero, they really have it all.

They also do a cocktail tasting session and a mixology course so you’ll never be stuck for things to do.

3. Stone Brewing

930 Third Street, Napa, CA 94559

If you’re looking for a distillery with a pretty unique and modern setting then Stone Brewing is the perfect place for you. The vibes here are so cool and chilled out, it’s a great place to come and relax with friends. And it’s not just the decor and atmosphere that is eclectic. This is definitely reflected in the craft beers and food menu too.

I would definitely recommend taking advantage of their outdoor patio that looks out at the stunning view of the Napa River. Order a Flight (it’s my favorite) and enjoy on the patio as the sun goes down. And why not treat yourself to a little lunch too? They have the most delicious plant-based burger!

4. St. Clair Brown Winery & Brewery

816 Vallejo Street, Napa, CA 94559

Situated in downtown Napa, this boutique urban winery and nano-brewery is an absolute must visit. All the small batches that you can sample are made right there on site, there are currently 13 different beers to choose from and this is only ever-expanding.

You’ll notice that all the beers are usually unfiltered and a malt-driven beer is favored to create a less bitter taste. All of these beers pair perfectly with a good old bite to eat.

And what I think is absolutely great is that pretty much all the options are vegan! I believe there is only one beer, Honey Wheat Ale, which isn’t suitable for vegans. It’s so refreshing, pun intended, to see breweries starting to consider dietary requirements to make their beverages more inclusive.

And if you’re up for it, you can even take part in their Beer Boot Camp where you’ll learn everything there is to know about beer tasting, speak to the brewmaster himself, and enjoy a three-course lunch! All courses are paired with the perfect beer too, obviously. 

5. Prohibition Spirits

23592 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA 95476

Fancy a taste of Italy? Then you’ll need to go visit Prohibition Spirits for a truly unique tasting experience. The distillery is very famous for its award-winning Limoncello that you’ll definitely need to give a try. But you can also enjoy samples of delicious spirits such as gin, rum, and whiskey.

The Groth husband and wife who own the distillery fell in love with Sonoma while exploring, and with such a picturesque destination it’s not hard to see why. And it was then that they decided to set up shop and allow us to all experience their Limoncello which is more affectionately known as sunshine in a bottle. 

There are tasting sessions, mixology classes, and private event hire on offer all within the space of one of the most scenic and beautiful courtyards you’ll ever see.

6. Cooperage Brewing Company

981 Airway Ct. Suite G, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Founder and Brewer of Cooperage Brewing Company, Tyler Smith, adores playing around and experimenting with all different types of hops, yeasts, barrel types, and bacteria to create some of the best brews you’ll ever have the privilege of sampling.

It has probably one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever experienced at a brewery. There’s such chilled-out and relaxing vibes. They usually have a huge projector screen that shows lots of live sports games while you’re sipping away. But if sports games aren’t really your thing, don’t worry, because they also have loads of board games on offer which are super fun to play.

7. Sonoma Distilling Company

5535 State Farm Drive, Rohnert Park, Ca 94928

While assisting one of his friends at their distillery, Adam Spiegel found a passion, and incredible talent, for hand crafting spirits. He started with beer, moved onto wine, and now has gone on to found the Sonoma Distilling Company.

A visit here will give you the chance to sample some o the most delicious ryes and whiskey’s around. They stick to a more ‘old-school’ traditional style of whisky which is a delight to try. The whisky is handmade in copper pot stills and this does mean smaller batches, but it also means tons more flavor. So harder work for them, a better result for us!

There will be quite a few options year-round, but you’ll definitely want to try and get your hands on their specialties that are released just once a year such as the amazing cherrywood rye whiskey!

8. Lagunitas Brewing Company

1280 North McDowell Boulevard, Petaluma, CA 94954 

This treasured spot is a real favourite amongst the locals. There are tons of beverages on offer from ciders to stouts, and ales to sours, and the options are ever-rotating so no two trips will ever be the same!

They have a great indoor taproom, but it is definitely the outdoor picnic area lit with fairy lights that is the most popular. And what’s great is that you can even bring your four-legged friends along with you because it’s pet friendly!

Not only will you be able to sample many different delicious drinks, but there’s also live music in the beer garden and a food menu that is to die for. Tasty drinks, live music, nachos, chicken wings, and cuddles from your dog? Um, sounds like heaven. 

9. Tannery Bend Beerworks

101 South Coombs Street, Suite X, Napa, CA 94559

If you’re looking for something a little more casual, then this is the perfect place to be. You’ll find many locals in this spot enjoying sipping at their drinks outside on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Inside, you’ll also have the option to watch the latest sports game while you sip away at those amazing brews. You can even get yourself a bite to eat as they serve snacks and sandwiches too.

Oh, and possibly the best brewery feature I’ve ever heard of: Bottomless Popcorn (!!!) 

10. Napa Valley Distillery

Grand Tasting Salon: 2485 Stockton Street, Napa, CA 94559

Tasting Bar At Oxbow Public Market: 601 First Street, Suite 8, Napa, CA 94559

With two locations, you can ensure that this distillery is pretty popular. And it’s not hard to see why. Walking in is like stepping into an old speakeasy and the atmosphere is just amazing. You’ll truly get that roaring 20s feel.

If you want to tour this wonderful place, though, you’ll need to book well in advance. Make sure that you sip away at their wonderful drinks in their tiki room and wear your best clothes. This will definitely be an experience you won’t forget anytime soon.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it – some of the very best spots in all of Napa. Ensure that you check out at least one of these amazing places. Though I would definitely recommend at least two or three since they are all so different and unique.