Drive along a secluded tree-lined road, over a historic covered bridge, and you’ll arrive at Indigeny Reserve, a ciderworks and distillery spread across 160 acres of eco-friendly preserve just outside Sonora. The setting alone makes it worth the drive—you’re surrounded by orchards and forest, far enough from town to feel genuinely remote but not so far that it’s inconvenient.

The tasting bar focuses on hard ciders and brandies, and they take their craft seriously. You can sample different seasonal expressions and learn what actually goes into them. The distillery itself is the real draw if you’re curious about the process—they use authentic double copper-pot stills, and if you time your visit right during apple crush season, you’ll see the operation in full swing. The orchard tours give you context for everything you’re tasting, and they explain the fermentation process in practical terms rather than just pouring you drinks.

Dogs on leash are welcome throughout the property, which means you can explore the self-guided walking trails without leaving yours behind. There are shaded picnic areas if you want to bring food and settle in for a few hours. The trails meander through the property and give you a real sense of how much land they’re working with here.

They’re open year-round, though seasonal events pop up throughout the calendar. The covered bridge approach isn’t just scenic—it genuinely signals that you’re entering somewhere different. There’s no manufactured cuteness to it; it’s just how you actually access the place, which somehow makes the whole experience feel more authentic. Bring a blanket, bring your dog, and bring an appetite if you plan to make a full afternoon of it.