Kally’s start sparked from a lack of sophisticated wine alternatives. If we wanted a complex, great-tasting non-alcoholic drink, we had to create it ourselves. Little did we know, our early experiments would lay the foundation for something much bigger.
In spring 2019, we had the pleasure of dining at the acclaimed SingleThread restaurant in Healdsburg, CA—home to three Michelin stars, a spot on the World’s 50 Best list, and a Wine Spectator Grand Award, among other accolades. We were eager to try their non-alcoholic drink pairing, which had come highly recommended. Each sip of the pairing, crafted by Chef Han Suk Cho, was a revelation—layered, thoughtful and vibrant. It was precisely what we had been longing for in non-alcoholic options. The meal, along with Han’s creations, helped shape our vision for what Kally would become.
Fast forward to spring 2023: Kally had launched a year prior, and we connected with Kyle & Katina Connaughton, Chef & Farmer and Owners of SingleThread. We had long admired their work and were thrilled when they offered to sample Kally.
When Chef Kyle and Katina expressed enthusiasm and support, the conversation quickly turned to the possibility of collaborating to create drinks inspired by SingleThread's culinary style, using ingredients sourced directly from their farm. This project fused everything we love—creative people, high-quality ingredients, thoughtful craftsmanship, and the vibrant spirit of Sonoma.
We carefully selected key ingredients—plum, pear, verbena, shiso, and Kally’s signature chardonnay verjus. The journey of tasting, refining, and experimenting with these ingredients spanned over a year. We hand-harvested lemon verbena and shiso from SingleThread’s farm to steep in verjus.
By the summer of 2024, we had created two drinks that felt complete: Pear Verbena and Plum Shiso. Initially, we planned to choose just one for release, but both captured something so special that we couldn’t resist offering them as a pair.
What started as our personal quest for better non-alcoholic options evolved into a story of partnership, creativity, and connection—deeply rooted in Sonoma’s terroir and brought to life through collaboration.
Ready for a taste? Try our Kally x SingleThread Collaboration Duo.
