How a California distillery is turning fire-damaged grapes into ‘something awesome’

Hangar 1 collaborated with Crimson Wine group to salvage Napa-grown fruit for a specialty vodka with charitable intentions

When the haze from last year's Glass fire settled over Napa Valley, all seemed lost for the region's grapes. Most were tinged with ash and smoke before they could be pulled from the vines, rendering them useless for winemaking. But it gave a spirit distillery in nearby Alameda an idea.

Hangar 1, which specializes in crafting sustainable and locally sourced spirits, reached out to their partners at an affected winery to see if they could turn the wasted grapes into vodka.