Jetsettersblog

The Finger Lakes region is well respected among wine aficionados, and now a local entrepreneur wants to put the area on the map for distilled spirits. In late April, construction started on a new micro-distillery, Finger Lakes Distilling LLC, located on the east side of Seneca Lake, about 5.5 miles north of Watkins Glen on Rte. 414.

The distillery is the business idea of Brian McKenzie, a 30 year-old former banker from Elmira, NY. The venture is looking to capitalize on two trends: the burgeoning wine tourism in our area and growth in premium spirit sales nationally.

As the only stand-alone distillery in the Finger Lakes, McKenzie hopes to offer a unique stop on the wine trail, using local fruit and grains to create high quality distillates including vodka, brandies, gin, whiskies, and cordials. “We hope to have something for everyone’s taste,” said McKenzie, “from high quality, aged whiskey for connoisseurs to fun, sweet liqueurs for those that aren’t accustomed to drinking high proof spirits.”

McKenzie is applying for a NYS Farm Distillery license which will allow the business to offer product tastings and retail sales onsite. As part of the license, the distillery will be restricted to using raw materials from New York State for its production.

In the heart of Finger Lakes wine country, it is no surprise that Finger Lakes Distilling will focus on using local grapes to manufacture brandies and a premium vodka. The business will source from local farmers, as well as utilize the vineyard located on the 7 acre parcel where the production facility and tasting room will sit.

All products will be distilled using a handcrafted copper still from Germany that will be shipped in early September. “The equipment will be showcased, as it is quite a sight at just less than 25 feet tall,” said McKenzie. “We are looking to give our visitors a clear view of the production process, as well as some education as to how a distillery operates.” At full capacity, Finger Lakes Distilling will be able to produce over 7,500 cases.

Another McKenzie will be critical to the success of the venture. Thomas Earl McKenzie, no relation to Brian, will be Master Distiller for Finger Lakes Distilling. “I met Thomas at a craft distiller’s conference about a year ago,” said Brian. “We hit it off immediately and have had a blast plotting and planning things out.”

Thomas Earl, originally from Monroeville, Alabama, has a background in brewing, winemaking, and distilling. “I’m extremely lucky to have paired up with Thomas,” says Brian, a graduate of Cornell University. “He’s got the farming and production background and I can focus on the business and legal issues. He’s teaching me how to drive the tractor and I widened his horizons by taking him to New York City for the first time while trying to line up some future buyers for our products. Even though we come from very different backgrounds, we’re both committed to producing the finest distilled spirits and creating a tourist venture that will be truly memorable for anyone that stops by.”

While they are excited to make a variety of fruit-based products, the duo’s real interest lies in whiskey – perhaps due to their Scottish ancestry. In addition to making whiskey, the McKenzies will pay homage to their Scottish roots in the design of their facility, which is being built by Sutherland Builders of Penn Yan. “We’ve designed the building to look like an old Scottish whisky distillery, complete with exterior finishes, a pagoda roof, and hopefully some Scottish Highland Cattle to enjoy the spent grains from our production,” said Brian. “They’ll be very happy cows.”

The project is being financed with a mix of owner’s equity, a commercial mortgage through Visions Federal Credit Union, and a combination of economic development agency loan funds. The company has committed to creating jobs in exchange for some low interest rate loan programs through Regional Economic Development and Energy Corporation (REDEC), Schuyler County Industrial Development Agency, and Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED).

“The agencies have been very supportive of our project and have stepped forward with some very attractive programs that will help finance our equipment purchases,” Brian said.

Local officials point to the start-up as a perfect example of what our area needs to help combat the struggling upstate economy. Kelsey Jones, Executive Director of SCOPED said, “We are always looking for the opportunity to promote agri-business and tourism and this project supports both. I am also excited when young entrepreneurs choose to make our communities their home and create business locally”

McKenzie anticipates being open for production in late fall and hopes to be ready to accommodate visitors soon after. “We are working as quickly as possible to turn this dream into reality,” said McKenzie. “We encourage anyone that is interested in what we’re doing to check out our website at www.fingerlakesdistilling.com where you can link to our blog which will keep you posted on our progress.”

All this comes to life in the Finger Lakes: The most beautiful lakes, valleys, and waterfalls surrounding historic villages and rural countryside, and the world-class wines and fresh, local food.

The eleven narrow and deep ice-age lakes run north and south through 9,000 square miles of rolling hills and plunging gorges, and the best hiking, sailing, hunting, and fishing to be found. Rochester and Syracuse bookend lively small cities like Auburn, Ithaca and Geneva, and charming small towns like Skaneateles and Canandaigua – places that gave birth to Women’s Rights and Abolition and continue to create new ideas today. More than 80 wineries and winemakers produce world’s best Riesling and other wines that pair perfectly with the area’s abundant fresh and organic food.

Learn more about the Finger Lakes are www.fingerlakes.org