Pinot Noir grape clusters on the vine
Sonoma County, California

Craft begins
with precision.

Expert consulting for wineries, breweries, distilleries, and meaderies. When your batch needs expert eyes — or you want to get it right the first time — Joe Hanson-Hirt brings the science and the craft.

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20+ Years Experience
4 Disciplines
SRJC Viticulture Faculty
Chem. Background
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Winemaking✦ Beer & Brewing✦ Spirits Production✦ Mead & Fermentation✦ Viticulture✦ Laboratory Analysis✦ Cellar Management✦ Winemaking✦ Beer & Brewing✦ Spirits Production✦ Mead & Fermentation✦ Viticulture✦ Laboratory Analysis✦ Cellar Management✦
Joe Hanson-Hirt, beverage consultant
About Joe

Chemist. Craftsman. Educator.

Joe Hanson-Hirt is a Sonoma County–based beverage consultant with a foundation in chemistry and decades of hands-on production experience. Whether you are a boutique winery trying to correct an off-flavor, a new brewery dialing in your first batch, or an established operation looking to sharpen your process, Joe brings an analytical eye and a craftsman's instinct to every engagement.

Joe spent years as a contributor and guide author at The Beverage People, writing practical, research-based resources on winemaking, brewing, and fermentation trusted throughout the region. He currently holds a faculty position in the Viticulture program at Santa Rosa Junior College, where he teaches the next generation of growers and producers.

His consulting work spans wine, beer, spirits, and mead — a rare breadth that allows him to draw cross-discipline insights most single-focus consultants miss.

Chemistry Background SRJC Viticulture Faculty The Beverage People Wine Beer Spirits Mead
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What Joe Works On

Four disciplines.
One standard of excellence.

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Winemaking

Vineyard to bottle consulting, problem-solving, and cellar protocols for small to mid-size operations.

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Beer & Brewing

Fermentation science, recipe development, process review, and quality troubleshooting for craft brewers.

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Spirits

Distillation process guidance, flavor development, and production analysis for craft distillers.

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Mead & Fermentation

Nutrient protocols, fermentation management, and sensory evaluation for meaderies and specialty producers.

How It Works

A methodical approach
to every engagement

I

Initial Assessment

Joe starts with a thorough intake — understanding your goals, current process, and specific concerns before any recommendations are made.

II

Lab & Sensory Analysis

Chemistry informs everything. Joe evaluates data, tastes product, and diagnoses problems using both analytical and sensory tools.

III

Targeted Intervention

Specific, prioritized recommendations — no generic advice. Protocols are tailored to your facility, budget, and timeline.

IV

Ongoing Monitoring

Great results come from follow-through. Joe can stay engaged through critical stages or hand off a clear roadmap for your team.

Sonoma vineyard at golden hour

"The difference between a good batch and a great one is usually a decision made early — and the knowledge to make it correctly."

Joe Hanson-Hirt
Joe Hanson-Hirt conducting SO2 analysis in the lab
In the Lab

Every diagnosis starts with data.

Joe's chemistry background means your production problems are evaluated analytically before any recommendation is made. Whether it is a free SO2 measurement, a pH drift, or a complex fermentation fault, the data comes first.

He has spent years at The Beverage People teaching producers how to read their own numbers — and he brings that same precision to every client engagement.

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Let's Connect

Ready to work together?

Whether you have an urgent production problem, are planning your next vintage, or just want to talk through your process, Joe is available for consultations throughout Sonoma and Napa counties and beyond.

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Email joe@joehansonhirt.com
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Based In Sonoma County, California
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Faculty Santa Rosa Junior College – Viticulture