North Bay Woman

46 NORTH BAY WOMAN | S P R I N G 2 0 1 7 meals in Italy. Four months after that life-altering vacation, the Groths moved to Sonoma and their plans to make Sonoma limoncello were underway. First, they wanted to perfect their recipe. They scrapped the limoncello recipe they had been using and started fresh. With only four ingredients, they knew they had to choose them carefully to achieve the quality and taste they wanted. They started by putting a Wine Country spin on their base by using distilled organic grapes – brandy – instead of neutral grain spirits, which can be harsh. They also used organic agave rather than processed sugar. Lemons are the stars of the show when it comes to limoncello, so the Groths set out to source the very best. They use local organic Eureka and Sorrento lemons, which are close to the varieties used in Italy. With the recipe tested and perfected, Amy went about branding their product. Their vibrant and sunny design with an Italian, retro vibe and bright yellow and orange shades lets customers know this is not your typical limoncello. This is Limoncello di Sonoma! Over the last eight years, the Groths have expanded their line of spirits under their Prohibition Spirits name. Among the 25 products in the Prohibition Spirits line are three rums, seven whiskeys, six brandies and three gins, many of which are small batch and only available to sample at their tasting room at Cornerstone in Sonoma, which opened last spring. The hip vibe fits perfectly with the resurgence of craft cocktail culture, and an overall appreciation of locally made products, including distilled spirits. Visitors can relax with a cocktail on the patio, play shuffleboard, shop their selection of bar accessories and learn about distilled spirits from one of their knowledgeable "Spirit Guides." Now the Groths, who had no prior business experience in the spirits trade until moving to Sonoma, are fully immersed in the industry and widely recognized as trailblazers. "I think it's very cool to be a woman in this industry where, in my mind, there are no boundaries or limitations, only great ideas and how to implement them. I love creating something that is unique and that hasn't been done before," Amy says. She considers herself a role model for her daughter, Isabella, and hopes to pass on the belief that, "As long as you have a passion for what you do, stay true to yourself, continue to dream big and, of course, laugh a lot, you can be anything you want." n Amy and Fred Groth at the patio seating at Prohibition Spirits with the liquor that started it all – limoncello; the large selection of small batch liquors at Prohibition Spirits that includes gin, brandy, limencello and vodka; shelves of locally made goods await visitors at Prohibition Spirits in Sonoma. – Photos by Stuart Lirette

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