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SONOMA VALLEY | WiNE COuNtRY tHiS WEEKFirst Distillery, Operating Still in Sonoma Since ProhibitionHelloCello has announced it is the firstlicensed distillery and operational still inSonoma since prohibition was repealed 80years ago. The license represents a rekindledspirit in Sonoma’s wine industry and amilestone for craft distillers. HelloCello hasbeen handcrafting specialty spirits includingLimoncello di Sonoma and Hooker’s HouseBourbon since 2009 when it opened as aboutique mico-distillery. The Federal andState permits to operate a still and distill fruit into brandy and otherspirits were the next logical step for the founders Fred and AmyGroth.“There is a lot of wine, wine pumice and surplus fruit that currentlygoes to waste. It can be transformed intobeautiful brandies, grappas and au-de-vies,”claims Fred Groth. The Company hopes towork with Sonoma and Napa wineries toproduce custom branded products like singlevineyard ports and brandies.“We offer a unique ability for wineries andwant to be a resource to help wineries withnew spirit based products. Such is the casewith Westwood Winery whom HelloCello helpcraft a black walnut liqueur called Nocino for them.The distilling of fruit into brandy has a long and successful historyin Sonoma and Napa dating back to the mid 1800s. But for the mostpart distilling has been a lost art since prohibition. HelloCello is usingthe historic still from the Sprekel’s Estate for one of their first products.The 100-year-old still was used to create Sugar Daddy Rum(Prohibition Spirits) which is aged in recycled Bourbon barrels andChardonnay Puncheons.HelloCello offers a spirited alternative to the traditional winecountry experience. They are open by appointment for tours, classes,experiences and private events.For more information on craft distilling and private tours, contactFred Groth, (707) 721-6390, Fred@HelloSonoma.com. Learn more atwww.Hellosonoma.com and www.Prohibition-Spirits.com.TOSANTA ROSAOAKMONT DRCORRICKLEDSONLOS AMOS RDAdler FelsLNPYTHIAN RDST. FRANCISTOSANTA ROSAMatanzasCreekSable RidgeBENNETT VALLEY RD.MacLeodLAWNDALESt. Anne’s CrossingNaked WinesParadise RidgeTy Caton & Muscardini, Enkidu, En GardeB WISEVJB CELLARSMAYO RESERVE ROOMFamily WineriesLandmarkVineyardKazCHATEAU ST. JEAN RDKENWOOD WINERY RDADOBE CANYON RD.CHATEAU ST. JEANKenwoodSugarloafState ParkDeerfield RanchKunde62Jack LondonState ParkBenziger FamilyLONDON RANCH RD.Audelssa EstateERIC ROSSMOONDANCECELLARSRobert HunterPaint Horse WineryLOXTONWellington WineryWARM SPRINGS RDWARM SPRINGS RDHKGESTATEWINESDUNBAMADRONER ROADMAYOFAMILYB.R. CohnBucklin OldHill Ranch Little VineyardsValley of the Moon12ImageryTRINITYArrowoodCAVEDALEMOON MTNKENWOOD &GLEN ELLENW I N E R I E SRDPetroniVineyardsAkoma ZoumeTONAPA VALLEYFollow us on twitter @WineCountrytW