Frey Ranch Distillery announced its partnership with the University of Kentucky’s Estate Whiskey Alliance® (EWA) — an initiative to highlight the advantages of local sourcing and sustainable production in the spirits industry. 

As one of the only true “estate distilleries” in the U.S., Frey Ranch Distillery has single-handedly put Nevada on the map as a serious producer of American Whiskey with its unique farm-to-glass operation.

By joining the alliance, Frey Ranch Distillery is committed to supporting research and education in agriculture, manufacturing, and sustainability to shape the future of estate whiskey production. Estate whiskey refers to a type of whiskey that is produced entirely on the distillery estate using grains sourced from the estate and local to that site.

“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,” Whiskey Farmer and Frey Ranch Co-Founder Colby Frey said in a news release. “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.” 

Growing 100 percent of the grains used to create its award-winning portfolio of bourbons, ryes and specialty whiskeys, Frey Ranch oversees all aspects of its production to make the highest quality whiskeys that spotlight each grain. From farming and harvesting grains to malting barley on-site, all the way through distillation and maturation, Frey Ranch Whiskeys don’t leave the property until they are bottled and ready to be enjoyed.

As a new member, Frey Ranch Distillery will have access to expertise from other key industry leaders and a unique support network to build a more sustainable future for the estate whiskey industry.

The EWA organization is open to all varieties of members including whiskey producers, farmers, suppliers, academic institutions and other related organizations.

The alliance will provide a first of its kind licensing program this year to authenticate Estate Whiskey Certified products with a consumer recognizable mark.

Only the specific whiskey products proved to meet sourcing and production requirements can display the prestigious Estate Whiskey Certified logo on their qualifying bottles.

UK and UK Innovate — UK’s innovation, entrepreneurship and economic enterprise for University of Kentucky Research — established the EWA organization in 2023 with support of Seth DeBolt, director of the UK James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits. 

You can find more information about the alliance on their website: estatewhiskey.org.

Read more: Frey Ranch Begins Distribution in Colorado, Illinois

About Frey Ranch Distillery

Frey Ranch Distillery was founded in 2006 by Colby and Ashley Frey on the Frey family’s 2,000-acre farm in Fallon, Nevada. The family has a deep history of farming in Northern Nevada that dates back 170 years and continues today with Frey Ranch Distillery, one of the only distilleries in the country to grow 100% of its whiskey grains on-site. Frey Ranch is a year-round working farm that also offers tours and tastings to the public every Saturday from 12-4 p.m. Products are available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, and online at www.shop.freyranch.com. To learn more, visit freyranch.com.