Learn more about our two California brandies offered in The California Brandy House online shop,
Argonaut and Germain-Robin
GERMAIN-ROBIN
We began as the unlikely union of two creative minds: Ansley Coale, a professor driving along a Northern California highway, and Hubert Germain-Robin, a hitchhiking Cognac distiller. The two created Germain-Robin, the first California Brandy that broke free from the constraints of cognac. They crafted their brandy with traditional alembic cognac stills, but using unconventional, flavorful and complex California wine grapes.
Embracing the rich tradition of hand-distillation while harnessing the potential of California wine, we set a new standard of excellence in brandy that has been recognized worldwide. Germain-Robin continues that tradition today– advancing the art of fine California Brandy into a new era.
VISIT GERMAINROBIN.COM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR STORY
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GERMAIN-ROBIN
$90.00
Germain-Robin is based around California-grown Colombard grapes, a standard in traditional brandy making. Distilled exclusively in Pruhlo Charentais Pot Stills and aged in Limousin Oak Barrels, Germain-Robin highlights the flavors that make California Brandy one of the most sought after aged spirits.
Distiller’s Notes:
Germain-Robin is met with a nose of oak spice and fruit. The fruit-forward notes of apple and pear are lightly accented with honeysuckle and cherry blossom, giving way to rich apricot and peach. Well-integrated toasted oak gives light accents of cinnamon and brown sugar. The rich full mouthfeel lingers after the finish in this balanced blend.
GERMAIN-ROBIN XO$135.00
Germain-Robin XO is an icon of California Brandy. Distilled exclusively in Pruhlo Charentais Pot Stills and aged in Limousin Oak Barrels, XO highlights the unique flavor and characteristics of California Pinot Noir grapes.
Distiller’s Notes:
The high-quality California wine grapes in Germain-Robin xo showcase unique flavors and layered textures. The signature grape, pinot noir, provides a dark cherry character and a rich silky mouthfeel. Colombard distillate adds a fresh apple character while Semillon provides richness with peach and apricot notes. The balance of both fruit and oak flavors is unique to Germain-Robin xo. The vanilla and toast flavors from the french oak complement the fruit which creates layers of complexity that only can be found from sourcing great fruit. The fermentation and distillation are driven with the goal of emphasizing fruit and mouthfeel and then paired with aging in select limousin oak barrels. Texturally, the brandy is extremely smooth and has an incredibly long finish.
Single Barrel Pinot Noir Brandy
AGED 17 YEARS | $250.00
Double distilled in Prulho Charentais pot stills in 2005 and aged 17 years in heirloom Limousin Oak barrels, this single barrel brandy made from Anderson Valley, Mendocino California grown Pinot Noir grapes was chosen for its exceptional character, paying homage to our founders’ contribution to fine brandy making.
Distiller’s Notes:
Single Barrel Pinot Noir brandy captures the fruit character of the Pinot Noir grape on both the nose and the palate. Aroma of ripe cherry, currents and sugared dry plums are lifted with the notes of toasted oak. Layers of nutmeg, and butterscotch show the 17 years in barrel were very kind to the liquid. The flavor comes through rich with layers of pomegranate, raspberry jam, and more cherry notes. The light touches of leather create a wonderful backdrop for the expressive selection.
Single Barrel Pinot Noir Brandy
AGED 19 YEARS | $250.00
Single Barrel Pinot Noir brandy captures the fruit character of the Pinot Noir grape on both the nose and the palate. Aromas of barrel spice give way to dried cherry and apricot, with a layer of tobacco, and hints of coffee. On the palate there’s weight, boldness, and depth. Beyond fruit are earthy flavors of oak and a touch of leather that instantly give way to a bright red cherry finish.
Distiller’s Notes:
Single Barrel Pinot Noir brandy captures the fruit character of the Pinot Noir grape on both the
nose and the palate. Aromas of barrel spice give way to dried cherry and apricot, with a layer
of tobacco, and hints of coffee. On the palate there’s weight, boldness, and depth. Beyond fruit
are earthy flavors of oak and a touch of leather that instantly give way to a bright red cherry finish.
Single Barrel Viognier Brandy
AGED 17 YEARS | $250
Germain-Robin Single Barrel Viognier Brandy is in a class all its own. Not a traditionally distilled varietal, California Viognier Brandy is as rare as it is expressive and aromatic, and this barrel is a standout among our brandy stocks due to its extraordinary flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel. The 100% California Viognier grapes shine through with floral and ripe character on both the nose and the palate. Double distilled in 1997 using Prulho Charentais pot stills and aged 17 years in Limousin Oak, these special bottles were hand-selected for an exclusive release of 55 cases at 41.5% ABV. Single Barrel Viognier is the result of our Founders' exacting standards in pursuit of brandy making perfection.
Signature Flavors:
Peach, Toasted Oak, Honey
Distiller’s Notes:
Peach, apricot and citrus notes combine to create flavor and mouthfeel that are delicate yet beautifully rich and round. Caramel, toasted oak, and a light touch of vanilla offer a consistent elegance from nose to finish.
Single Barrel Riesling Brandy
AGED 16 YEARS | $250
Germain-Robin Single Barrel Riesling Brandy is a unique and rare spirit. Double distilled in 1998 using Prulho Charentais pot stills from the highest quality Mendocino County Riesling wines, and aged for 16 years, this single barrel bottling showcases the intensely aromatic flavors of Riesling grapes, deepened by long aging in Limousin Oak barrels. This distinct bottling of only 33 cases at 41.4%b ABV encapsulates the pioneering spirit of our Founders, showcasing a floral California Brandy unlike any other.
Signature Flavors:
Orange Blossom, Toasted Oak, Honey
Distiller’s Notes:
Densely aromatic floral notes, leading with orange blossom, with complex notes of clove, ginger, gardenia, and iris. Tropical fruit and crisp apple elevates the floral notes, finishing with a touch of dark toasted oak.
Argonaut
Argonaut Brandy is distilled from flavorful California-grown grape varieties. We age our brandy in ex-bourbon barrels and our blends are selected from some of the rarest, oldest lots of brandy in California
VISIT ARGONAUTBRANDY.COM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR STORY
SPECULATOR
$38.00
86 PROOF
The Argonauts of the Gold Rush were speculators, leaving home for the unlikely opportunity of striking it rich in the goldfields. The miners too were speculating, staking claims and betting that the gold in their plots was worth more than the purchase price. Argonaut Speculator pays homage to our former master distiller, who laid down quality stocks of brandy for decades, without a specific program in mind. This blend is evidence that she made a good bet.
TASTING
At 86 proof, Speculator offers bright green apple, ripe pear, apricot and stone fruit, honeysuckle and orange blossom, nutmeg and clove, chamomile, golden raisin, tropical notes of ripe banana and pineapple.
SALOON STRENGTH
$30.00
91 PROOF
The Perseverance – The Saloon was the hub of the community, an escape from the unforgiving conditions of Gold Rush California where merchants and fortune seekers alike could gather and enjoy a brandy libation.
TASTING
AT 91 PROOF, ARGONAUT SALOON STRENGTH BRANDY OFFERS FRESH PICKED RED APPLE, BAKED PEACH, CANDIED CITRUS PEEL, TOASTED ALMOND, VANILLA, CARAMEL, AND BAKING SPICE, BLACK RAISIN, DRIED APRICOT, MID-PALATE WARMTH.
FAT THUMB
$50.00
86 PROOF
During the California Gold Rush, gold dust served as the preferred currency. A miner would open his purse of gold, offering merchants and barkeeps to take a pinch of dust as payment. Prosperous merchants were said to have ‘Fat Thumbs,’ thanks to a reputation for taking generous pinches of gold. In blending Argonaut Fat Thumb Brandy, our Master Distiller showed
she too had a ‘Fat Thumb’ when pulling from our alembic brandy stocks. The resulting blend showcases the quality of some of our more scarce blending legs.
TASTING
At 86 proof, Argonaut Fat Thumb Brandy offers baked apple cobbler, caramelized pear,
toasted oak and coconut, vanilla, nutmeg and clove, red apple, overripe pear, traces of caramelized banana, rich, silky mouthfeel.
THE CLAIM THIRD EDITION
$200
96 PROOF
The Argonauts of the Gold Rush were charmed and captivated by Sam Brannan’s claim of gold in the American River. His proclamation proved the catalyst to a new era in American history,
accelerating Westward expansion. For the Third Edition of The Claim, our pioneering distiller Rita Hansen selected the most exceptional stocks, showcasing a 25-year-aged Cabernet Sauvignon as the backbone of this sophisticated blend. The resulting blend is satisfyingly complex, characterized by rich mouth weight, full flavors, and deep rancio.
TASTING
The Third Edition of The Claim has lush aromas of dried pear, fig and toasted oak. Sweet floral honey and oak carries over to the palate, complemented by rich layers of nutmeg, vanilla, and a hint of anise. The finish is long and refined, with a perfect balance of fruit and spice.