An Enchanting Tale of the Chanterelle

The origin of Woodborne Spirits is a story as unique as our exquisite flavors. A simple yet avant-garde idea was born in Tumwater, Washington, from the shared vision of a lifelong mushroom forager and a well-respected and established master distiller.  Our vision was to capture and share the true essence of the Chantrelle mushroom within elegantly crafted spirits. A balance of bold techniques and equal parts artistic and scientific approaches shaped our exceptional formulas. Vigilant care and meticulous analysis of flavor profiles and distilling techniques unlocked Woodborn Spirits, a perfect fusion of elegance and complexity.

The Woodborne Spirits distillery is nestled in the shadow of the Olympic Mountains range, in the heart of Washington state’s most abundant mushroom-rich forest regions.  Capitalizing on the natural resources of the Pacific Northwest, hand-foraged chanterelles and Artesian Spring water, we have created extraordinary spirits and captured the true essence of the Pacific Northwest in each bottle.

Chantrelle mushrooms are as rare as they are revered. Veiled by the very forests in which they grow, their elusiveness only adds to their prestige and desirability.  Regarded as one of nature’s most well-kept secrets, chanterelle mushrooms are a definitive favorite of pickers and connoisseurs alike. Woodborne has unlocked this secret and invites you to experience our truly exceptional line of spirits.

Mushroom enthusiasts converge on these forests every fall with baskets and knives, hoping to strike gold. Chanterelles are not easily found; they take persistent exploration deep into the expansive forests. The forest does not give up her secrets easily. Only growing during the rainiest fall months, pickers combat relentless rain and the bitter cold of the Pacific Northwest for the opportunity to seek out their golden caches. Well concealed under the dense underbrush pickers must navigate fallen trees, look under ferns, beneath trees, and around moss covered stumps created from trees harvested in a time long past.

As the popularity of mushroom foraging has grown, finding un-picked patches has become increasingly more difficult. Prime chanterelle patches are closely held secrets and are passed down from generation to generation. Chanterelles will repeatedly grow in the same locations every season, and guarding these locations can ensure a prosperous harvest every year.

The bounty is well worth the adversity and tribulation of the journey. Heralded around the world for their exceptional taste and versatility, chanterelles live up to their well-deserved reputation as one of the most desirable forest delicacies.

Cantharellus cibarius (C. cibarius) is more well known by its common name, Chanterelle. The history of Chanterelle mushroom foraging dates back centuries. First made popular in the 18th century by the French nobility, their popularity has only grown over time.

The name chanterelle originates from the Greek word Kantharos, meaning “tankard” or “cup,” a reference to their chalice-like appearance. Their intense yellow, orange and occasionally white color helps offset them from the greens and browns of the dense forest underbrush. Prized for their subtle flavors and versatility, chanterelles are one of the most highly sought-after mushrooms on the market.