Award-winning California craft distillery scales operations while deepening its long-term whiskey ambitions.
Arnold, CA (May 15, 2026) — Hinterhaus Distilling has announced a major expansion of its production facilities with the installation of a new 2,000-liter copper pot still at its Sierra Nevada distillery in Arnold, California.
The investment is designed to significantly increase production capacity across the distillery’s growing in-house portfolio while also supporting expanded white label and contract distillation services for outside brands and wineries.
According to Hinterhaus Co-Founder and Head Distiller Nate Randall, the expansion is aimed at improving operational efficiency while opening new opportunities for flavor development across the distillery’s spirits lineup.
“The goal is to improve our efficiency and increase capacity to meet the growing demand for both Hinterhaus spirits as well as for white label contract projects,” Randall said. “I’m eager to explore new ranges of flavor, aroma, and nuance that the copper pot still will give us — especially in relation to our American single malt whiskey and brandy production.”
Operating alongside the distillery’s existing systems, the new still is expected to increase production output by three to five times while strengthening the foundation for Hinterhaus’ long-term whiskey aging program.
Bonnie Randall, Co-Founder and Head of Operations, described the expansion as a key milestone for the distillery’s future.
“The addition of the 2,000-liter pot still not only allows us to increase capacity, but it gives us the breathing room to lay down more barrels for our long-term whiskey projects,” she said.
Why This Matters
This expansion represents more than simply “getting bigger.” It reflects a broader shift happening across American craft whiskey where smaller producers are beginning to transition from startup-scale operations into long-term whiskey makers.
For craft distilleries, one of the biggest limitations is often time — specifically the ability to produce enough spirit today while still setting aside inventory for future aged releases years down the road. Expanding distillation capacity helps solve that problem.
In Hinterhaus’ case, the new system creates several important advantages:
- More whiskey laid down for aging: Increased production gives the distillery the ability to build more mature inventory for future releases without starving current demand.
- Greater flavor experimentation: Copper pot stills allow distillers to manipulate reflux, cut points, and distillation character more intentionally, especially important for American single malt and brandy production.
- Additional revenue stability: Contract distillation and white label production can provide smaller distilleries with more consistent cash flow in an increasingly competitive market.
- Enhanced tourism opportunities: Expanded behind-the-scenes tours help deepen consumer connection at a time when experiential whiskey culture continues growing.
The timing is especially notable given the distillery’s recent recognition at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards, where Hinterhaus earned Best Single Cask American Single Malt Whiskey — further elevating the profile of both the brand and the broader American single malt category.
As American single malt continues pushing toward wider consumer awareness, investments like this suggest some craft distilleries are preparing not just for current demand, but for where the category could be several years from now.
“I’m eager to explore new ranges of flavor, aroma, and nuance that the copper pot still will give us — especially in relation to our American single malt whiskey and brandy production.”
— Co-Founder & Head of Operations Nate Randall
Visitor Experience Also Expanding
The expansion will also introduce enhanced distillery tours and educational experiences at Hinterhaus’ Arnold, California location, giving visitors greater behind-the-scenes access to the production process and the new equipment.
Located at roughly 4,300 feet in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the distillery has increasingly become part of the region’s growing craft beverage tourism scene.
Final Thought
For many craft distilleries, the hardest transition isn’t launching — it’s evolving from a small producer into a sustainable long-term whiskey brand. Hinterhaus’ expansion feels like a signal that the distillery is thinking beyond immediate releases and positioning itself for what its whiskey program could become several years from now.
And in American single malt especially, the producers investing in patience, infrastructure, and inventory today may ultimately be the ones defining the category tomorrow.
About Hinterhaus Distilling
Founded in 2020 by husband-and-wife team Nate and Bonnie Randall, Hinterhaus Distilling produces spirits inspired by the Sierra Nevada landscape while utilizing local ingredients, Sierra water, and collaborative production methods.
The distillery is a member of both the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission and the American Craft Spirits Association, where Bonnie Randall serves on the Board of Directors. Nate Randall also serves as Vice President of the California Distillers Association.
More information, tours, and purchasing details are available through the distillery’s official website.
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