CHARLOTTEVILLE DISTILLERY FIELD GUIDE
Inside Upstate Vodka: Apples, Two‑Column Stills, and Hand‑Bottling at Sauvage Distillery
A 45‑minute, adults‑only (21+) tour and tasting at Sauvage Distillery that traces Upstate Vodka from locally sourced apples to the bottle.
Inside Upstate Vodka: Apples, Two‑Column Stills, and Hand‑Bottling at Sauvage Distillery.
Step onto the peaceful grounds of Sauvage Distillery, set amid historic apple orchards in Charlotteville, New York, and watch a cider‑based spirit move through a compact, single‑roof operation from fruit to finished bottle. The 45‑minute, adults‑only visit pulls back the curtain on an apple‑first approach to vodka, ending with a guided tasting of the award‑winning Upstate Vodka.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Warm Welcome & Roots in the Catskills
The visit begins with an introduction to Sauvage’s origins and place in the Catskill watershed; every apple used for Upstate Vodka comes from neighboring orchards and the distillery operates entirely under one roof.
A Peek Behind the Scenes
Guests see the signature method: fermenting apple juice (hard cider), distilling in two‑column stills, and isolating the ‘heart’—a concentrated, high‑proof apple essence—that is then diluted with spring‑fed Catskills water before bottling.
Craftsmanship in Every Pour
Each batch is numbered and personally sampled by the Head Distiller; the tasting highlights Upstate Vodka’s apple character, its smooth, slightly sweet finish, and the gluten‑free nature of a spirit made without grains—each bottle containing the essence of roughly 70–80 apples.
What the day feels like
What the Visit Feels Like
The tour unfolds with a warm greeting and a concise history of the distillery, then moves onto the production floor where the apple‑to‑spirit sequence is explained in detail. Visitors witness fermentation, the runs through two‑column stills and the selection of the distillate ‘heart,’ followed by a look at dilution with Catskills spring water and the hand‑bottling process before a final tasting of the award‑winning Upstate Vodka.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tour runs roughly 45 minutes from start to finish.
The distillery meeting location is 102 Bindery Ln, Charlotteville, NY 12036.
Sauvage Distillery conducts an adults‑only tour and tasting that explains their apple‑based production and finishes with a sampling of Upstate Vodka.
The itinerary covers history, fermentation, two‑column distillation, dilution with Catskills spring water, hand‑bottling and a guided tasting of the award‑winning Upstate Vodka.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts 45 minutes.
Is there an age requirement?
Yes — the tour and tasting are for guests aged 21 and over.
Where do I meet for the tour?
Meet at Sauvage Distillery, 102 Bindery Ln, Charlotteville, NY 12036.
What will I taste?
You will taste Upstate Vodka, Sauvage’s award‑winning, apple‑based vodka noted for a soft apple nose, smooth rich character and a slightly sweet finish; it is produced without grains and is gluten‑free.
How is the vodka made?
The process begins with locally sourced apples fermented into cider, distilled in two‑column stills to capture the spirit’s ‘heart,’ which is then diluted with Catskills spring water and bottled by hand.
How many apples go into a bottle?
Each bottle contains the essence of approximately 70–80 apples.