Nevada’s Frey Ranch Distillery has joined the University of Kentucky’s Estate Whiskey Alliance (EWA), marking a significant step in promoting sustainable, locally sourced whiskey production in the United States.

The partnership reinforces Frey Ranch’s position as one of the few true estate distilleries in America, where all aspects of whiskey production occur on-site, from grain cultivation to bottling. It comes as Frey Ranch continues its U.S. expansion, recently announcing entry into markets in Colorado and Illinois.

Growing the Farm-to-Glass Movement

“The wine world constantly talks about grapes, and the nuances of its growing cycle. However, the whiskey world rarely talks about grains, which have the same impact on whiskey as grapes have on wine,” said Whiskey Farmer and Frey Ranch Co-Founder Colby Frey.

Frey emphasized the importance of educating industry professionals and consumers about American agriculture’s role in whiskey production. “As farmers and distillers, one of our primary objectives is to bring this topic front and center. By joining the Estate Whiskey Alliance, we hope to further educate bartenders, retailers, and consumers on the importance and relevance of U.S. agriculture and locally grown grains to the production of American Whiskey.” he said.

The distillery cultivates 100% of the grains used in its portfolio of bourbons, ryes, and specialty whiskeys. Their comprehensive approach includes farming, harvesting, on-site barley malting, distillation, and maturation.

Setting New Industry Standards

The partnership comes at a crucial time for the American whiskey industry, as consumers increasingly demand transparency in production methods and sourcing. Estate distilleries like Frey Ranch represent a growing movement toward complete vertical integration in spirits production.

This farm-to-glass approach allows for unprecedented quality control and traceability in the whiskey-making process. By controlling every aspect of production, estate distilleries can ensure consistency while highlighting the unique characteristics of their locally grown grains.

Certification and Industry Impact

The EWA, established in 2023 with support from Seth DeBolt, director of the UK James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, plans to launch a pioneering certification program this year. This initiative will authenticate Estate Whiskey Certified products with a distinctive consumer-recognizable mark.

The alliance welcomes various industry stakeholders, including whiskey producers, farmers, suppliers, and academic institutions. Members gain access to expertise from industry leaders and a support network focused on building a sustainable future for estate whiskey production.

Through this partnership, Frey Ranch will contribute to research and education in agriculture, manufacturing, and sustainability, helping shape the future of estate whiskey production in the United States.

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