Beer and Cider · Ukiah, California
Germain Robin
Pioneering Mendocino County brandy born of a chance roadside meeting.
- Founded
- 1982
- Founded by
- Ansley J. Coale Jr., Hubert Germain-Robin
- Based in
- Ukiah, California
Making it since
1982
Their story
Germain-Robin began with a ride. In 1981 Ansley Coale, a rancher near Ukiah and former Berkeley ancient history professor, picked up a hitchhiker named Hubert Germain-Robin, whose family had made cognac in France for generations before selling to Martell. Germain-Robin was looking for a place to make brandy.
The two founded the distillery in 1982, and it became one of the first serious American craft brandies. Hubert Germain-Robin left in 2006 to consult, and E. & J. Gallo bought the brand in 2017.
How it's made
Instead of the Ugni Blanc used in cognac, Germain-Robin distills high-quality wine grapes from Mendocino County, starting with Pinot Noir and later Colombard, Semillon, Zinfandel and Viognier. The brandies are aged in barrels and released in small quantities.
Why we carry them
We love pointing cognac drinkers to Germain-Robin to show what California brandy can be. It is a beautiful after-dinner pour.
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