The Distillery

The Idea

I could not stop thinking about an article I read in an airline's magazine on a recent trip. It was about the growing popularity of artisan distilling. The idea of creating vodka, whiskey, brandy, etc, really intrigued me. I kept thinking about all of the raw material on and around the farm. I kept thinking about using the existing barns and equiment. I kept thinking about having the ability to grow whatever we wanted to produce whatever spirit we wanted. I kept thinking about potentially using wind power, natural gas, and spring water in running a distillery. I kept thinking ...

When I returned from the Kothe workshop in Chicago, I joined the American Distiller Institute. A forum with about 240 members of varying experience with distilling spirits. On this site I discovered that New York had recently established legislation allowing for farms to run distilleries, much like the legislation allowing farm-based wineries. I then learned about two farm-based distilleries actually operating in New York. Wow! I'm getting enthused.

Shortly after the first workshop, I attended a second workshop hosted through the Cornell Agricultural Station in Geneva, NY. The material for the course was presented by Alexander and Nick from Christian Carl, and Kris, a Professor from Michigan State University. It is hard to state here the wealth of information these guys have on distilling. To sum it up, they are world class. So, not only was this workshop informative, but I met a lot of great local people and people from around the US and Canada. We also visited a local vodka distillery (Montezuma Winery) in Seneca Falls, NY. I could go on and on about the value of this workshop. Needless to say, I'm still enthused.

I have recently started sharing my idea with close friends and family. Immediately, a group of supporters and active participants was formed. We are starting to chip away at the business plan. If the plan looks good, I'm confident we'll go for it. I'm also confident, that with the team we would put together, we would be successful.

Which brings me to the benefits that are the motivation behind this idea:

• Creating a business from start to finish
• Creating a low-impact, eco-friendly business
• Creating an employment opportunity for people in Wayne County
• Creating an attraction for people to visit
• Creating a product for people to enjoy
• Creating a local market for local farmers
• Creating a product from 100% New York State agricultural products
• Creating a use for existing farm structures and equipment not in use
  
• ...
  

Success, to me, would equate to realizing these benefits, and doing so while working with friends and family; maybe making a little money to boot ; -)