@Distillery209

@wineandsake (Rachel Macalisang): @KeeperColl Good morning to all on #SommChat!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Welcome 2 #SommChat! We r so happy to have you here!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): We’d like to introduce you to Ginerator Arne Hillesland @Distillery209! #SommChat #WineWednesday #Winelover

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): We’re about ready 2 dive in w/questions, so shout out 2 @Distillery209 2 say hello & so he knows you’re here! #WineWednesday #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): As we ask @Distillery209 our Qs, U can ask him Ur Qs as well! He’ll do his best 2 answer all Qs in the order they come #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Don’t forget that EVERY tweet during this chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order for everyone to see it! #WineWednesday

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection):W/so many participants lots of gr8 Q’s R asked! Even if u don’t ask 1, S/O 2 @KeeperColl & @Distillery209 2 let us know u R here! #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection):Let’s start talking #gin with Ginerator Arne Hillesland @Distillery209! #WineWednesday #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209):@KeeperColl Howdy, it’s great to be here! – the Ginerator #SommChat

@wineandsake (Rachel Macalisang): @KeeperColl @Distillery209 Hello & welcome to #SommChat! #WineWednesday #WW

@winecompass (WineCompass):Not a #somm, but always interested in spirits & #cocktails #SommChat @distillery209

@DomaineSelect (DSWE): @KeeperColl We’re here! #ww #SommChat

@CandVSpirits (Classic & Vintage): @KeeperColl @Distillery209 #cocktail #spirits talk on #SommChat. We like that!

@purplelips (Lesley Provost):Hello #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @distillery209 Give us a brief history- what was the inspiration behind starting Distillery 209? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): A. @KeeperColl Founder Leslie Rudd bought #EdgeHill #winery in St Helena which had the original Distillery which he wanted to revive #SommChat

@TimUncorked (Tim Harris):Are we over planting A great question coming out of @theunified ? #SommChat #WineWednesday #winefacts from Sacramento, CA

@MattMcGinnis (Matt McGinnis):Q. @distillery209 had my 1st taste of your #gin this weekend. How did you develop your recipe What are your favorite botanicals? #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209):.@MattMcGinnis The 209 recipe was developed over a year’s time by playing w unusual ingredients #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @MattMcGinnis I am very fond of #bergamot and #cardamom which I feature in the flagship #gin recipe @KeeperColl #SommChat

@alaina (Alaina Percival):@Distillery209 Do you do a tasting tour or good #gin event in San Francisco? #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209):.@alaina unfortunately we are only open to the trade at this time. Hopefully that will change in the future! #SommChat

@harleywine1 (Harley Carbery):Happy #WW #SommChat how is everyone?

@winecompass (WineCompass):Like the @Distillery209 about section: Hand-fashioned at Pier 50 in SF – the world’s only distillery built over water ?#SommChat

@helenwindle (Helen Windle):Happy #WineWednesday #SommChat Looking forward to questions with @Distillery209

@wine_prof (Jessica Fialkovich):Q. @distillery209 It looks like we are seeing a revival in #gin, what factors do you think contribute to that?#SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209):.@wine_prof Discerning drinkers are bored with #vodka. They want the classic #cocktail flavors back. #SommChat

@kcwineguy (kcwineguy):Q. Many craft distillers start w/ a simple spirit & progress 2 more complicated varieties, infusions, etc. Any plans 4 u?#SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209):.@kcwineguy I am always playing with my test stills, and new products will be forthcoming! @KeeperColl #SommChat

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso):@purplelips – Good morning, Lesley! Looking forward to reading your newsletter! -#SommChat

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso):@KeeperColl – Any significance to the number #209? – #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209):.@demilove 209 was the license # for the original #distillery in 1882. It was the 209th registered #distillery in the US #SommChat

@harleywine1 (Harley Carbery):@distillery209 what is the most bizarre ingredient you have experimented w in flavoring or distilling? #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209):.@harleywine1 Marshmallow root! It tasted so horrible we stopped the distillation midway through #SommChat

@purplelips (Lesley Provost): @demilove Thank you! #SommChat

@CandVSpirits (Classic & Vintage):@Distillery209 @wine_prof The G&T…one of our favorites. #SommChat

@HipsterEnology (Hipster Enologists): Howdy, @Distillery209! What style of #gin is 209? Do you plan on going into several styles? @KeeperColl #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @HipsterEnology 209 is part a new generation of #gins, sometimes called western #gins or American style #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209):.@HipsterEnology We have 2 #gins ATM- a Kosher for Passover #gin, that has a more traditional #London style, plus our flagship #gin #SommChat

@winecompass (WineCompass): @Distillery209 What type of Still do you utilize and why? #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @winecompass We have a traditional alembic copper potstill… #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @winecompass Our still was custom built for us in #Scotland. These are the best stills to impart flavor to a spirit #SommChat

@wolfeswines (Jeffrey Wolfe): @KeeperColl @Distillery209 at what point of the process are the botanicals infused to the spirit & how? #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209):.@wolfeswines I do an overnight maturation of the botanicals in the neutral spirit and water before distilling #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): @KeeperColl: We’d like to introduce you to Ginerator Arne Hillesland @Distillery209! #SommChat #WineWednesday #Winelover

@kcwineguy (kcwineguy):Good 2 know! RT @distillery209: @kcwineguy I am always playing with my test stills & new products will b forthcoming! @KeeperColl #SommChat

@WineRackCo (WineRacks.com):@harleywine1 @Distillery209 Now that’s a question that I’m curious to see the answer to. #SommChat

@CandVSpirits (Classic & Vintage):@GVineGins check out #SommChat with @KeeperColl, happening now, for some gin talk!

@kcwineguy (kcwineguy):#Gin Education! RT @distillery209 @demilove 209 was the license # 4 the orig distillery in 1882. The 209th registered in the US #SommChat

@harleywine1 (Harley Carbery):@Distillery209 yikes! #SommChat

@AdamPlotkin (Adam Plotkin):@KeeperColl @KGreenPR @ericawinetrips @dellanimom @jennanorth @kcwineguy @Local913 Good morning, all! #SommChat

@travelwinechick (Elizabeth Smith): @KeeperColl I am here, for once. However, if you had said #Gin earlier…ha ha. Just going to follow along. #SommChat #WW #winewednesday

@harleywine1 (Harley Carbery):@distillery209 why #gin? #SommChat #ww @KeeperColl

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @harleywine1 #Gin is a cornucopia of flavors that can lead to fabulously inventive #cocktails! #SommChat

@MauricesCru (maurice dimarino): @bonjoyle @IPrime_CLevel mixologist are you on #SommChat today? @distillery209 is under fire! Come check it out.

@noblewines (Christopher Miller):http://ow.ly/i/1rEtl @distillery209 have you tasted this local ginger #beer mixed with your #gin? #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209):. @noblewines Ginger #beer goes great with 209 but we haven’t tried that one! Have you?#SommChat

@purplelips (Lesley Provost):@distillery209 #SommChat How would you describe the style of Am style #gin?

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @purplelips Generally Am style #gins are lower in juniper and explore less traditional botanical flavors #SommChat

@travelwinechick (Elizabeth Smith): @Distillery209 Thank you, #WSET! I know what a copper pot still is! #SommChat

@helenwindle (Helen Windle): @Distillery209 Do you only sell your #gin in San Francisco? Any plans for international export?#SommChat

@drewhendricksms (Drew Hendricks): @helenwindle @Distillery209 Do you only sell your #gin in San Francisco? Any plans for international export ?#SommChat” we are in the UK.

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @helenwindle Actually half our sales are overseas! We are also in 33 states and growing #SommChat

@travelwinechick (Elizabeth Smith):RT @Distillery209: @wolfeswines I do an overnight maturation of the botanicals in the neutral spirit and water before distilling ?#SommChat

@kcwineguy (kcwineguy): Q. So as a distiller w/ a keen palate we always want 2 know what are you drinking/loving these days? #Gin #Wine #Spirits #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @kcwineguy Well I’m not drinking too much #wine these days, but spirits-wise I’m getting into pot-distilled aged rums #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black):@noblewines @Distillery209 Not a big #gin drinker, but ginger #beer with #gin sounds like a good combo! #SommChat @KeeperColl

@wineandsake (Rachel Macalisang):@KeeperColl @Distillery209 How does your #gin differentiate from your competitors? #SommChat #WW #WineWednesday #Gin

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @wineandsake We went down the citrus/spice road and we’re using botanicals not normally found in #gin #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209):. @wineandsake 209 blends exceptionally well with #cocktail ingredients, where sometimes others are an overworked canvas #SommChat

@drewhendricksms (Drew Hendricks): @wolfeswines @KeeperColl @Distillery209 lets taste it tomorrow. #SommChat

@purplelips (Lesley Provost):@distillery209 Less traditional botanicals Like what?#SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @purplelips #Italian bergamot peels, #Guatemalan cardamom, which we hand-husk, and #Romanian coriander set us apart #SommChat

@purplelips (Lesley Provost): @distillery209 Sounds interesting! #SommChat

@purplelips (Lesley Provost): @distillery209 Checked with my govt #monopoly store. Only #US #gin we have in Ontario is North Shore Distillers #6. A good example. #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @purplelips I know that North Shore makes three #gins, but I haven’t tried that one. #SommChat

@wine_prof (Jessica Fialkovich):Q. @distillery209 being the first #kosher #gin is quite a feat, how long did it take you to develop it? #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @wine_prof We based the #Kosher #gin on our flagship style. The greatest challenge was replacing the cardamom, which is not K for P #SommChat

@kcwineguy (kcwineguy): #Rum = Yum! RT @distillery209 @kcwineguy Not #drinking 2 much #wine but spirits-wise I’m getting into pot-distilled aged #rums #SommChat

@travelwinechick (Elizabeth Smith): @Distillery209 @wineandsake Citrus/spice sounds like something I would enjoy. #SommChat

@i_on_food_drink (Irene L): @distillery209 Do you find “regional” preferences in styles of #gins from West to East Available in Canada? #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @i_on_food_drink I find that there are #gin explorers all over the country, not necessarily geographically based #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @i_on_food_drink We have found an audience with younger #gin drinkers especially. In #Canada we are available in #Alberta so far! #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black):@distillery209 What #foods do you most enjoy with #gin? @KeeperColl #SommChat #mixology

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @enjoielife Anything that doesn’t move! #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @enjoielife But seriously, martinis/meat are a great combo. Citrus-based #gin #cocktails go great with #Mexican and #Indian food #SommChat

@noblewines (Christopher Miller):@Distillery209 #SommChat is your #gin available ?@boweryhotelnyc If so I’ll have a ginger #beer and your #gin in a drink tomorrow.

@StephanieMiskew (Stephanie Miskew CSW):@KeeperColl Happy to make it to #SommChat today with @Distillery209! #betterlatethannever

@winecompass (WineCompass):@purplelips @distillery209 Neither does our state controlled @VirginiaABC stores. Hint, Hint to the buyers #SommChat

@helenwindle (Helen Windle): @drewhendricksms @Distillery209 #SommChat yes, I’ve just checked our data and can see you’re in the #UK and growing.

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @helenwindle Thanks! One of my greatest thrills is selling #gin to Brits #SommChat

@purplelips (Lesley Provost):@winecompass @distillery209 Always the availability frustration! #SommChat

@travelwinechick (Elizabeth Smith):RT @Distillery209 @purplelips #Italian bergamot peels, #Guatemalan cardamom, which we hand-husk, & #Romanian coriander set us apart #SommChat

@purplelips (Lesley Provost): @distillery209 #Alberta is one of the privatized provinces. I’ll keep my ear open for folks visiting from out west. #SommChat

@dbrogues (Devon Broglie, MS):had @distillery209 during Somms Under Fire and was great! Looking forward to more places in #TX carrying and using. #SommChat #SommsUF

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @helenwindle Thanks! One of my greatest thrills is selling #gin to Brits #SommChat

@drewhendricksms (Drew Hendricks): @helenwindle @Distillery209 good news! #SommChat

@drewhendricksms (Drew Hendricks):A few more minutes to catch @Distillery209 on #SommChat

@travelwinechick (Elizabeth Smith):RT @Distillery209: @enjoielife Seriously, martinis/meat are a great combo. Citrus-based gin #cocktails go great w/#Mexican & #Indian #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @distillery209 Ginerator, how did you decide to get into the #ginbusiness #WineWednesday #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): A. @KeeperColl After 20 yrs in hi tech, it was time to get off that roller coaster. #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): A. @KeeperColl I wanted a chance to be part of something lasting that I could be creative at #SommChat

@winecompass (WineCompass):@Distillery209 For those not interested in #cocktails, do you recommend neat, drop of water, or 1 cube? #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @winecompass A little water makes the mid-palate blossom on our #gin! #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection):Q. @distillery209 Gr8 2 C 209 as featured spirit at #SommUF. What did U think of the #cocktail: http://bit.ly/115pIqh ? #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): A. @KeeperColl great combo of flavors: citrus, #gin, and bitter components complimenting each other #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @distillery209 How long does it take to make 209 #gin? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): A. @KeeperColl It takes about 2 days to do the distillation process and another 3 days minimum to rest the completed spirit #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @distillery209 What is your “gin-making philosophy”? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): A. @KeeperColl In a phrase Less is more. #SommChat

@AmaraResort (AmaraResort): Love this ethos! RT @Distillery209: A. @KeeperColl In a phrase Less is more. #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black):@Distillery209 Ha! Leaves quite a few options. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @distillery209 Favorite #gin #cocktail (other than the classic #gin and tonic) #WineWednesday #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): A. @KeeperColl I like citrus forward #cocktails like the last Word, White Lady, the Tom Collins or the original Martinez #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. Why #San Fran for the location of @distillery209? #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209):A. @KeeperColl #SF is an internat’l cosmopolitan city that is at the forefront of #food, #wine, and drink experiences #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. when not acting as the #Ginerator @distillery209, what do you do for pleasure? #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): A. @KeeperColl I love music, playing my sax, checking out shows- I just caught a great Broadway show Anything Goes. #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): A. @KeeperColl I also like trout. And riding my motorcycle. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. How did the name The #Ginerator come about and in other distilleries what would your position be called?#SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): A. @KeeperColl I thought “Master Distiller” was too pretentious, so I created my own title! #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. What is the hardest thing about making your @distillery209? #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209):A. @KeeperColl Replication. I’m fanatical about consistency (just ask my assistant). Keeping the still on track is paramount. #SommChat

@noblewines (Christopher Miller): @Distillery209 if your #gin is available in #NY , I’ll recommend @Socalito1 carry it @CO_TheMaidstone in #hamptons #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. How much do you produce now? @distillery209 and is there room for increased production?#SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209):A. @KeeperColl We’re approaching 20K cases. We have the largest potstill west of #Mississippi! Plenty of room for growth. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. Are you the only #Gin Master? @distillery209 and will there ever be more added? #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): A. @KeeperColl I have made every drop so far, but my assistant will soon learn the ropes & I will work on new products #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. How long can #distillery209 #gin age and does it get better with age and why?#SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): A. @KeeperColl Properly distilled spirits should be stable in the bottle for years. Once opened, it will oxidize as a wine would #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. If one could only have two additions to make a drink with @distillery209 what would you suggest and why?#SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): A. @KeeperColl Citrus and bitters of some sort. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @distillery209 At the most basic level, what distinguishes gin from vodka? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): A. @KeeperColl All #gins start with vodka-a neutral spirit-or as I like to say, #vodka is just unfinished #gin #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Time to wrap up! Hope you enjoyed #wine talk w/ Ginerator Arne Hillesland @Distillery209 #WineWednesday #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection):It was great to have @Distillery209 join us today for our #SommChat! We hope everyone learned as much as we did! #WineWednesday

@wine_prof (Jessica Fialkovich):Thank you for hosting @distillery209, I look forward to trying your #gin! #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection):Please join us in thanking The Ginerator, Arne Hillesland @Distillery209 for his time! #SommChat #WW #Winelover

@wine_prof (Jessica Fialkovich):And thank you for the warm welcome, look forward to next week @KeeperColl @candvspirits @kcwineguy @demilove #SommChat

@RetaKay13 (Reta Coker Crowe): @KeeperColl @Distillery209 #SommChat #WW Very interesting. I know very little about #gin except the Ramos Gin Fizz at TGIFridays. YUM.

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection):It was great to have @Distillery209 join us today for our #SommChat!

@Distillery209 (Distillery No. 209): @KeeperColl Thanks for all the thoughtful questions, it’s great to interact with fellow flavor fanatics! Thanks for having us! #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Mark your calendar for next week’s #SommChat w/ #WinemakerJason Jardine @JMJardine @FlowersWinery Wed 02/06/13 11 AM CST!

@wineandsake (Rachel Macalisang):@KeeperColl @distillery209 thank you so much for your time today!!! #SommChat

@travelwinechick (Elizabeth Smith):. @Distillery209 @KeeperColl Thank you. I don’t know as much about #gin as I should, so I appreciated the opportunity to learn! #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black):@Distillery209: @MattMcGinnis I am very fond of #bergamot and #cardamom which I feature in the flagship #gin recipe @KeeperColl #SommChat

@purplelips (Lesley Provost):Thanks so much! @distillery209. An interesting #SommChat!

@enjoielife (Judia Black):@KeeperColl: It was great to have @Distillery209 join us today for our #SommChat! We hope everyone learned as much as we did! #WineWednesday

@winecompass (WineCompass):Thank you @Distillery209 & @KeeperColl Cheers #SommChat

@chigirl30 (Kristine): #SommChat one of my favorite most recent wins was Borsao spanish mix http://bodegasborsao.com/borsao-tinto-seleccion-4/ …

@harleywine1 (Harley Carbery): @Distillery209: @harleywine1 #Gin is a cornucopia of flavors that can lead to fabulously inventive cocktails! #SommChat” Agreed!!

@RachelVoorhees (Rachel Voorhees):@KeeperColl Sorry I missed #SommChat today. On vacation in #Hawaii so the time change messed me up! Can’t wait to read thru tweets!

@ormiga (ormiga):@KeeperColl @travelwinechick is #SommChat still running else nxt1

@ATXFoodnews (Kay Marley-Dilworth):I missed @KeeperColl’s #SommChat. Gonna go read the thread so I can learn more about wine!

@kcwineguy (kcwineguy):Gr8 #wine/#spirits talk @wine_prof @HipsterEnology @buckfever @KCLiveMusicBlog @Distillery209 @noblewines @AdamPlotkin @KeeperColl #SommChat

@EddieOsterland (Eddie Osterland): @alawine think @KeeperColl’s #SommChat had something to do with that! Happy #WineWednesday to you.

@alawine (Ken #wine): @EddieOsterland thanks Eddie, undoubtedly true @KeeperColl #SommChat #ww

@MoRandazzoMB (Mo Randazzo):@alawine Looks like I’ve been missing out….On my calendar for next week: #SommChat!

@wardonwine (Mike Ward):@MoRandazzoMB @alawine Thanks MO, this is good stuff! #SommChat

@hvwinegoddess (Debbie Gioquindo,CSW): @KeeperColl Sorry to miss #SommChat, work got in the way.

@alawine (Ken #wine): @distillery209 @KeeperColl @travelwinechick @winecompass @purplelips #WineWednesday Cheers #SommChat-ers! Looking forward to @FlowersWinery

@travelwinechick (Elizabeth Smith): @ormiga @KeeperColl @FlowersWinery: Excited to have our Chief Winemaker @jmjardine on #SommChat 2/6!

@travelwinechick (Elizabeth Smith):Must not forget #SommChat! @alawine @Distillery209 @KeeperColl @winecompass @purplelips @FlowersWinery #winewednesday

@alawine (Ken #wine):@noblewines @harleywine1 @enjoielife @kcwineguy @wine_prof #WineWednesday Cheers to #SommChat-ers! Looking forward to @FlowersWinery

@wolfeswines (Jeffrey Wolfe):Many thanks @drewhendricksms today in Miami…got to try RUDD & 209 gin immediately after #SommChat almost sureal..#lifeinawineshoppe

@enjoielife (Judia Black):@alawine: @noblewines @harleywine1 @kcwineguy @wine_prof #WineWednesday Cheers to #SommChat-ers! Looking forward to @FlowersWinery Yes!

@girlmeetsglass (Tanisha Townsend):Just learned about No 209 #gin in #SommChat yesterday, so glad I have the opp to taste!! #spirits101 http://instagr.am/p/VK19MyJLgl/