Dao Distillery — Attraction in Rancho Cordova

Binh was super nice from the get-go. When I called to make a reservation to do a tasting he explained to me the two options that were available. The first option was a simple tasting that you got to try a few of the different flavors at the distillery. The other option was this cool VIP package situation that let you still have the tasting do a little private tour of The Distillery and it ended with a hot pot style lunch.

Hands down the package deal was the way to go and I'm glad I chose that.

When we arrived on Friday April 18th a little after 1:30 Binh was there ready to greet us. He explained how the tour and Hot pot was going to work and we went straight to the back to do the tour first. It was super amazing to hear where they get their grain from, the process behind all the fermentation and distillation, and just overall how everything is done in house via him and different family members.

The tasting itself was so awesome my friend who was with me was able to give me a further explanation of the different spirits we were tasting and each of us had our own favorites.

He likes the more traditional one that had a familiar taste, I like the one that was called the Cali bottle because it had a little bit of the old world taste with a refined finish.

The Hot pot itself was amazing because it used some of the remaining water from the fermentation process which gave the broth a beautiful Tang to it that really enhanced all the flavors of everything else.

Overall this place was just phenomenal we were so excited to be there experience everything and took four bottles each home because that's how good they were.

If you're in the rancho Cordova area and want to have a unique experience please go check...

Today, I had the joy of attending a rượu đế tasting—and what an unforgettable experience it was. Each sip carried the soul of Vietnamese tradition, bold and unapologetically authentic. But what truly elevated the moment was the pairing: a hotpot made with nước hèm, the final byproduct of the distillation process. It was rich, earthy, and deeply nourishing—a beautiful example of zero-waste cooking rooted in ancestral wisdom.

I’m genuinely moved by the host’s dedication to preserving and sharing Vietnamese culture with the world. From the craftsmanship of the liquor to the thoughtful use of every element in the brewing process, it’s clear this isn’t just about taste—it’s about storytelling, sustainability, and pride in heritage.

To see rượu đế honored in such a refined, intentional way reminds me that our traditions aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving. And I’m so proud...

This distillery is incredible! While I am disappointed that the old favorite is gone, I got to meet Binh today, and sample some of the most amazing distilled products I have ever tried. Ruou De is very easy to drink! It is made from rice that is grown in California and processed at this facility. The cherry version is a limited edition, because I am sure it took a ton of work, but I have never tried anything so wonderful before! If you like whiskey, the products already out in 2024 are wonderful, but there is likely to be local rice whiskey from here next year. I look forward to being one of the biggest fans of...