Griffo Distillery, Petaluma, Calif.

Welcome to a special stop on the Brews and Choos project.

Distillery: Griffo Distillery, 1320 Scott St, Petaluma, Calif.
Train line: SMART, Petaluma North
Time from Larkspur: 48 minutes (zone 3)
Distance from station: 1.2 km

What a quirkly place this is, but they make really good stuff.

When I decided to visit Sonoma County during my trip to the Bay Area last weekend, I identified four places right next to each other in north Petaluma and two others a few kilometers away closer to downtown. The next time I come up to Sonoma, I'll check out the other breweries and the cidery, but last Saturday I really had my sights set on this distillery, which is only a 5-minute walk from Lagunitas. And I stopped by just as a septugenerian band was setting up to play for the almost-all-Boomer crowd that had come into their main seating area.

I didn't hang out to hear them, however, as I had to deal with the Sonoma-Marin Trains weekend schedule and the reality of a 2-hour trip back to Millbrae after my adventure. I did, however, try three of their spirits.

Their flagship Scott Street Gin had lovely floral notes with great balance, some coriandor, and a little sweetness. It would make a great martini if you made it properly (i.e., just a hint of Vermouth). I also loved the Barreled Gin, a rum-adjacent, complex spirit with honey and agave notes that spent a while in Chardonnay barrels. Put this one in an old fashioned and don't tell anyone it's not bourbon. Again, I was sad that I didn't bring a checked bag; maybe next time. Their Stout Barreled Whiskey had a subtle maple nose and a long finish with chocolate, chickory, and coffee notes that evolved from first sip to last. Had I not been concerned about catching a train and if I lived in the Bay Area I'd have taken longer to enjoy the day.

When I come back to Petaluma to complete the circuit, possibly early next year, I will find a way to stop by Griffo again.

Beer garden? Yes
Dogs OK? Yes
Televisions? No
Serves food? Food trucks come almost daily
Would hang out with a book? Yes
Would hang out with friends? Yes
Would go back? Yes