The California whiskey producer brings in a veteran wine and hospitality executive to oversee its growing visitor experience, tasting room programming, and membership community.
Redwood Empire Whiskey is putting more emphasis on what happens beyond the bottle. The California distillery has appointed Kristina King as its new Visitor Experience & Whiskey Club Manager, bringing more than 20 years of hospitality, membership, and direct-to-consumer experience to its Mare Island, California operation.
King most recently served as Director of Consumer Sales & Marketing at Kenefick Ranch Vineyard & Winery in Calistoga. Before that, she spent a decade at Chateau Montelena, where she helped grow its wine club from approximately 1,100 members to more than 10,000.
In her newly created role, King will oversee distillery tours, tastings, whiskey education, VIP experiences, and member events. She’ll also manage the Redwood Empire Whiskey Club, including its membership structure, exclusive releases, and benefits. The club offers two membership options: Collectors Club and Explorers Club.
The appointment is part of Redwood Empire’s effort to make its Mare Island distillery a destination for whiskey enthusiasts, trade partners, and curious visitors throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
Why This Matters
Redwood Empire isn’t exactly a small operation anymore. The company sold more than 40,000 cases in 2025 and offers a portfolio of more than 16 whiskeys, including Pipe Dream Bourbon, Emerald Giant Rye, Lost Monarch, and Colonel Armstrong High Wheat Bourbon.
As whiskey brands grow, the relationship with consumers becomes increasingly important. A good bottle can earn someone a first purchase, but an engaging distillery visit, memorable tasting, or worthwhile membership can give them a reason to keep coming back.
King’s background in building successful wine club communities makes this an interesting hire. Her experience suggests Redwood Empire wants to develop more than a tasting room; it wants to build a stronger connection between the brand and the people drinking its whiskey.
Bourbon Bishop Bottom Line:
This is a smart move for Redwood Empire. The whiskey business is crowded, and brand loyalty can’t rely on another bottle release or a flashy label alone. Experiences and community give consumers another reason to connect with a distillery.
King has a track record of growing membership programs in California’s wine industry, and bringing that experience into whiskey could pay dividends for Redwood Empire. It’ll be worth watching how the distillery develops its visitor programming and Whiskey Club under her leadership.
For whiskey drinkers in Northern California, this could also make Mare Island an even more compelling stop on the distillery visit list.
About Redwood Empire Whiskey
Founded in 2013, Redwood Empire Whiskey is a Northern California whiskey producer built around the character of its home region. Named for the historic Redwood Empire and the towering trees that define the landscape, the brand combines its own grain-to-glass distillate with thoughtfully sourced whiskey from across the country. Today, Master Distiller Jeff Duckhorn and Master Blender Lauren Patz lead the production team, balancing traditional whiskey-making with a willingness to experiment across styles, ages and mash bills.
Redwood Empire has built one of the largest aging whiskey inventories on the West Coast while maintaining a deliberately hands-on approach to distilling, maturation and blending. Its portfolio spans bourbon, rye, wheat whiskey and American single malt, with an emphasis on expressive, approachable whiskey and California character. The brand also puts conservation at the center of its identity, supporting redwood restoration and reforestation efforts as part of its commitment to the forests that inspired its name.
Related Articles
Redwood Empire The Hyperion blends bourbon, rye, wheat whiskey and American single malt aged 7–14 years. Explore tasting notes, transparency, value and our verdict on this $99, 110-proof release.
New Era launches Marquee Exclusive Bourbon, a $49.99 small-batch blend selected by nine Kentucky bourbon professionals from 30 barrels.
Pursuit Spirits wins North America’s Leading Bourbon Distillery Tour 2026 for The Whole Shebang, a hands-on whiskey experience on Louisville’s Whiskey Row.
Lofted Spirits names Nick Smith Master Distiller, succeeding Steve Nally as Bardstown Bourbon Company celebrates its millionth barrel.
Virginia Distillery Co. expands The Brewer’s Coalition with two limited American Single Malts finished in Black Tuesday stout and Straight Jacket barleywine casks.
Pursuit Spirits launches XS Double Oak Rye, a 126.2-proof, 720-bottle release finished for 20 months in custom Seguin Moreau oak barrels.
Copper & Cask launches “X,” a 10-year barrel proof Bourbon and its first permanent release, alongside two new 9-year Small Batch expressions.
Shortbarrel Cigar Batch #4 blends mature American whiskey finished in 50+ casks, including Armagnac, Cognac, rum, Port and Sherry.