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.
Adventure brief
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.
Located in the heart of Charlotteville, New York, Sauvage Distillery stands as a distinctive craft vodka producer nestled within the Catskill watershed. This adults-only 45-minute tour invites guests to experience the art and science of vodka-making through the lens of local apple sourcing and hand-crafted techniques. Far from a typical spirits tour, Sauvage offers a genuine slice of upstate artisanal craftsmanship, complete with an exclusive tasting of their award-winning Upstate Vodka.
Charlotteville’s surrounding landscape is renowned for its lush apple orchards, a crucial ingredient for this distillery’s signature spirit. Sauvage sources every apple locally, embodying a commitment to community and terroir that’s rare in the world of distilled spirits. Visitors step onto tranquil grounds where history and innovation coexist, beginning with the story of Sauvage’s founding and its deep connection to the Catskill region.
Tour participants receive an intimate glimpse behind the scenes, witnessing the distillation process powered by two-column stills designed to isolate the essence of the apples. The vodka starts from fermented apple juice — essentially a hard cider base — and through expert distillation, the “heart” of the spirit is captured at a potent 190-proof. This essence is then carefully diluted with spring-fed Catskills water and bottled entirely by hand. Each batch is numbered and sampled by the Head Distiller, ensuring a consistency of quality and flavor that stands out in a crowded spirits market.
What makes Upstate Vodka unique isn’t just the local apples but the fact that it’s completely gluten-free, as it contains no grains—just the pure, slightly sweet flavor of 70 to 80 apples distilled into each bottle. Tasting it, visitors can expect a smooth mouthfeel, a delicate apple aroma, and a creamy finish that reflects the craft and care invested in every drop.
Sauvage Distillery is more than just a production facility; it’s a vital part of Charlotteville’s growing outdoor and farm-to-table culture. It offers visitors an authentic experiential journey that ties place, people, and product together seamlessly. Whether you’re a spirits connoisseur or an outdoor adventurer looking to explore local flavors after a day in the Catskills, this tour delivers an exceptional blend of education and enjoyment.
Step off the beaten path and immerse yourself in a unique slice of New York’s craft vodka scene—where apples, water, and hands-on distillation come together to create a truly memorable experience.
Route Schematic
Route & Key Stops
A short sequence of stops guides visitors from arrival through production to tasting.
Arrival & Welcome
Meet at the distillery grounds for an orientation and short history of Sauvage and its apple sourcing.
Fermentation & Distillation
Observe the fermented apple juice (cider) and the two‑column stills used to extract the spirit’s ‘heart.’
Dilution & Bottling
Learn how the concentrated apple distillate is diluted with Catskills spring water and see the hand‑bottling and batch‑numbering process overseen by the Head Distiller.
Tasting
Conclude with a guided tasting of Upstate Vodka, noted for its soft apple nose, smooth rich mouthfeel and subtle apple finish.
This is an adults‑only tour (21+); the itinerary is compact and geared toward a tasting experience.
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.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-09-12T12:12:57.380Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.