Redwood Empire Whiskey has marked the first anniversary of its distillery and visitor destination on Mare Island in Vallejo, California, with an expanded focus on consumer education and experiential programming. The Northern California whiskey producer has also significantly increased its distilling capacity, positioning the facility to quadruple production amid a period of broader industry contraction.
Central to the brand’s anniversary strategy is the launch of Redwood Empire Whiskey University, a yearlong educational series designed and led by Master Blender Lauren Patz.
The program consists of five in-depth, 90-minute classes offered throughout the year. Topics cover whiskey fundamentals, bourbon and rye standards of identity, barrels and maturation, and the art and history of blending.
“Education has always been part of who we are,” said Lauren Patz, master blender at Redwood Empire Whiskey. “Whiskey University is not about one class or one moment, it’s about creating an ongoing dialogue around how whiskey is made and why those decisions matter. That kind of engagement builds understanding and trust over time.”
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The curriculum targets both enthusiasts and industry professionals, providing a transparent look at whiskey production from grain to glass. Redwood Empire also offers guided tours, curated flight experiences, one-off masterclasses tied to new product launches, blind tastings, and hands-on blending seminars.
The company said it is investing in long-term brand building at a time when much of the spirits industry is pulling back from consumer-facing spend. With Napa and Sonoma wine country nearby, the producer aims to establish Mare Island as a premier whiskey destination comparable to the bourbon trails of Kentucky and Tennessee.
The distillery also features a craft cocktail program at its whiskey bar, curated tasting flights with optional pairings, and a whiskey-friendly food menu designed to complement the spirits.
Redwood Empire Whiskey is owned by Purple Brands and is inspired by the ancient forests of Northern California’s redwood belt. Each whiskey expression is named after a famous protected redwood tree. The brand has partnered with nonprofit organizations, resulting in the planting of more than 1.7 million trees to date.
As demand grows for expressions including Pipe Dream Bourbon and the brand’s limited releases, the company plans to further expand its educational and experiential footprint with additional Whiskey University sessions and ongoing programming throughout 2026.
For more information, visit redwoodempirewhiskey.com or explore the full distillery experience at exploretock.com/redwoodempirewhiskey.
