A renowned family wine company, based in the Sonoma Valley, just announced an expansion into the spirits business with the acquisition of a closed whiskey distillery in Minden, Nevada.
Foley Family Wines will utilize the facility, formerly known as Bently Heritage Estate Distillery, to make American whiskey and white spirits as the distillery will be housed in a 100-year-old creamery, as well as an American single malt distillery will be located in a 100-year-old flour mill.
A statement from Foley Family Wines explained that both buildings sit on the National Register of Historic Places, and the flour mill will include multiple tasting areas and will serve as a guest experience center.
Also included in the purchase of the facilities is the existing inventory of bourbon, single malt whiskey, and rye.
“The Bently family, former owners of the distillery, restored these historic Minden sites to LEED Certification,” said Courtney Foley, second generation vintner at Foley Family. “Their legacy is in perfect alignment with our family’s commitment to community and sustainability across our vineyards and winery properties.”
Foley Family wines will make spirits at the facility from locally sourced grains, and those spirits will be available through national wholesale markets and direct to consumer channels, including the Minden tasting room.
They begin operations at the Minden facility immediately and will manage the sales and marketing efforts.
“Foley Family Wines has been expanding our luxury portfolio of wines since 1996, and we are eager to launch a full range of high-end spirits,” said Shawn Schiffer, Foley Family wines president. “As the demand for spirits continues to grow and the consumer profile evolves, this is a strategic step for us. We look forward to integrating spirits brands into our national distribution network and to continuing the important vision of the Bently family.”
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Minden is located in the heart of Nevada’s Carson Valley, near the Nevada-California border at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. Nearby are the South Lake Tahoe Mountain resorts, hiking trails, casinos, hot springs, bars, and restaurants.
Bill Foley, founder of Foley Family Wines, has a portfolio of hospitality and entertainment businesses in California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Nevada, including the Vegas Golden Knights NHL franchise, the Henderson Silver Knights American Hockey League team, the Vegas Knight Hawks indoor football team, City National Arena, Lifeguard Arena, The Dollar Loan Center, and the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation.
“I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished in Nevada,” Bill Foley said, in the prepared statement. “And I’m looking forward to introducing our spirits to the marketplace.”
For more information, check out www.foleyfamilywines.com.
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