Distillery

Germain-Robin

Owned by E. & J. Gallo Winery (acquired 2017) · Ukiah, California, USA · Founded 1982

Founded 1982 by Hubert Germain-Robin (an 8th-generation Cognac distiller from the Charente region of France) and Ansley Coale on the Coale family Ukiah ranch. Used a charentais alambic still (imported from France) to produce California pinot-noir-grape brandy in the cognac tradition. Acquired by E. & J. Gallo in 2017. Released the seminal definition of 'American cognac' — though they couldn't legally use that term, as cognac is a Charente-region appellation.