Savage & Cooke Distillery

Savage & Cooke Distillery, located in Vallejo, California, was founded by acclaimed winemaker Dave Phinney. Phinney, known for his work with wine brands such as The Prisoner and Orin Swift, initiated the distillery project in 2016, with the facility officially opening its doors in 2018 on historic Mare Island. The distillery is housed within beautifully restored brownstone buildings that were once part of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, the West Coast's oldest naval base.

Savage & Cooke specializes in producing Bourbon, American Whiskey, and Rye. A hallmark of their whiskey-making approach is the innovative use of wine barrels from Phinney's own wine projects for finishing. For instance, their bourbon is often finished in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels, while their rye whiskey may be finished in Grenache barrels. The distillery emphasizes local sourcing, with all grains grown within 50 miles of the facility and pristine spring water drawn from Phinney's high-elevation property in Alexander Valley. Some of their production adheres to a "true grain to glass" philosophy, maintaining internal control over every step from grain cultivation to distillation and barreling. Distillation is carried out using a 20-plate, 24-inch Vendome Copper & Brassworks column still.

What makes Savage & Cooke distinctive is its unique blend of winemaking expertise applied to spirits production, particularly through its signature wine barrel finishing. The distillery's setting on Mare Island, within architecturally significant former naval buildings, also contributes to its singular identity. Their commitment to sourcing local ingredients and maintaining a high degree of control over the production process further sets them apart.

Among Savage & Cooke's notable expressions are The Burning Chair Bourbon, Second Glance American Whiskey, and Lip Service Rye. The distillery has garnered significant recognition, including being named the 2023 California Distillery of the Year and the 2023 California Bourbon Distillery of the Year by the New York International Spirits Competition. Other accolades include a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2024 and a Spirit Gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2019.