Virginia Distilleries Support Local Farms
In partnership with: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
With roaring trade wars and the ever-present global pandemic at the forefront of people’s minds and businesses, Virginia farmers are seeking new and creative ways to sell their products. Craft distilleries have proven to be reliable buyers for local grains, hops and other products, which is a win for both parties. Pivoting to producing hand sanitizer offered a new stream of revenue and a way to help protect their communities. Distilleries were also granted permission by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) to ship items directly to consumers, which helped the entire supply chain stay afloat in these uncertain times.
See more: High Growth for Virginia Wine Industry
Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
Becky Harris and her husband, Scott, launched Catoctin Creek Distilling Company in 2009. Inspired by the history of rye whiskey in Virginia, they dedicated their business to creating spirits that homed in on the flavor and terroir of the local region.
In the early days of the pandemic, Harris says they were overwhelmed with requests for hand sanitizer and sanitizing spray. “As an alcohol plant, we knew we could make it,” she says. “The question was how to make enough to help the community and how to do it legally.”
As president of the American Craft Spirits Association, Harris took a leading role in learning the applicable law and procedures and educating the distilling industry. Their company ultimately sourced 2,000 gallons of grain spirit to make U.S. Food and Drug Administration-compliant sanitizer to sell to the community.
“We were also fortunate that Virginia quickly allowed distilleries to ship products to customers within the state,” Harris says. “This gave us an opportunity to try to sell enough product to maintain our production, albeit at a reduced level.”
Silverback Distillery
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Christine Riggleman of Silverback Distillery made a small batch of hand sanitizer for two of her pregnant daughters. She shared a photo online and said they had a small amount available for local first responders if they needed it.
“The public demand was overwhelming,” Riggleman says. “Hospitals and first responders were begging us for more. Our phones wouldn’t stop ringing.” With several hospitals down to their final stash of supplies, the Silverback team worked relentlessly to provide them with the products they needed.
“Our hearts are full because we were able to help when our community needed us.”
– Christine Riggleman, CEO, Silverback Distillery
Riggleman says most distilleries didn’t blink an eye when help was needed. “We hoped, along with everyone else, that we could survive the pandemic and keep our business open,” she says. “It has taken additional funding to expand outdoor spaces to provide seating and infrastructure for our customers that is 6 feet apart, but our hearts are full because we were able to help when our community needed us.”
Silverback is also one of the many Virginia distilleries investing in local farmers. They purchase all of their grains from two local producers and donate their spent mash to farmers in the area for feed and fertilizer.
Springfield Distillery
Kelly Gordon says she and her team started their distillery in 2016 with the intention to stay as true as possible to the historic attributes of the property. Springfield, which was formerly a tobacco farm, dates back to 1799.
Like many Virginia business owners, Gordon says they felt a responsibility to use their resources to provide for first responders and essential employees when the pandemic arrived in the area. “We converted any available alcohol to hand sanitizer and reached areas all over the state, as well as into North Carolina,” she says. “We didn’t turn anyone away.”
See more: Discover the Best of Virginia Through Its Agritourism Trails
In addition to producing hand sanitizer, Gordon says they utilized the new guidelines from the Virginia ABC to create cocktails to go and adapted to curbside pickup, deliveries and shipping within the state to stay afloat.
Gordon is also proud to support and promote other local producers through her business. “We are a Virginia’s Finest product, and 80% of our resources come from the state of Virginia,” she says. “In addition to the agricultural resources, we use local marketing, bottling supplies, labels, merchandise and tasting room products.”
If You Go …
Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
120 W Main St.
Purcellville, VA
(540) 751-8404
Silverback Distillery
9374 Rockfish Valley Hwy. Afton, VA
(540) 456-7070
Springfield Distillery
9040 River Rd. Halifax, VA
(434) 575-9317
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