With rye, bourbon, and single-barrel whiskeys, Frey Ranch brings the spirit of the Silver State to life on a 1,500-acre family ranch east of Reno.
push from Reno to Fallon is an exercise in decompression . The 70 - mile journey consider just over an minute , following the Truckee River and other waterways like at large thread that delicately hold the disparities of Northern Nevada together . After allow the gumption of business district casino and hotel behind , the land opens up , the atmosphere is fresher , and the rural theatrical role of the region takes shape . Fallon is a still community of interests , where people get up together , watching automobile speed through the dirt at Rattlesnake Raceway or mingling with stock at the Churchill County Fairgrounds .
Most tourists in the area gravitate to Lake Tahoe , but if you plan to visit Fallon and see what the town is all about , do it on a Saturday afternoon . That ’s whenFrey Ranch Distillerywelcomes the general public for tastings and enlistment . The homegrown operation produce whiskey made exclusively with grains grown on its own 1,500 - acre farm . Everything is done on - website until the booze is bottled , begin with the craw itself , which is harvested , mashed , distill , and aged for at least five year in oak tree barrels .
" Fallon is considered the oasis of Nevada , which happens to be the driest state in the U.S. , " says Colby Frey , who co - set up the still with wife Ashley . " We are fortunate to have beautiful pee that flows from both English of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Mountains — and we irrigate our crops with the Sierra snowmelt . "
Photo courtesy of Frey Ranch
Colby is the first generation in his family to distil flavour , but belongs to the 5th generation dedicated to farming this land . His family has been growing crops in the area since 1854 — a tenner before Nevada was even a state . Over the yr , the Freys have kindle cattle and grown grass , alfalfa , potatoes , and other vegetables , some of which helped supply the Virginia City atomic number 79 rush .
The crops evolved over the years and Colby always knew he wanted to continue the category business . He meet Ashley while both were attending the University of Nevada , Reno and the pair share a passion for whiskey . It inspire them to launch the distillery and showcase the corn whiskey , wheat , barleycorn , and rye now growing on the farm .
away from the grain themselves , the primary ingredient in their success was longanimity . The match locked down a distilling permission in 2006 ( the first in Nevada since Prohibition ) , built the distillery in 2013 , and let their initial batch of whiskey age five years before expel the bottles in 2019 .
Ashley and Colby Frey|Courtesy of Frey Ranch
" We waited that full five years because we ’ve never source whiskey from anybody else , " explains Ashley . " A lot of distilleries will purchase bulk whisky and put it in their own bottle — and they ’ll be gossamer about it , which is totally all right — but for us , it ’s about the farm and the grains . "
As the duo come in the spirits occupation , they were surprised to learn a lot of American whisky — rye especially — is made with grain hauled in from farm as far out as Canada and even Germany . By growing their own craw in the fields hem in their distillery and family abode , the Freys can supervise the health and vitality of the grains on a everyday foundation .
" We know people care profoundly about where their nutrient comes from , which is why we ’ve seen a proliferation of farmers markets toss off up across the country , " tell Colby . " Why should spirits be any different ? "
Photo courtesy of Frey Ranch
While waiting for the first batch to age , the Freys dipped their toes into the hard drink business with a define run of gin and vodka . However , the design was to always focus on the whiskey , which proved to be an contiguous hit when it was unleash on the market just three year ago . Frey Ranch sell more bourbon in its first calendar month of availableness than vodka and knock rummy in the previous four years combined .
" We know mass care deeply about where their food comes from …. why should liveliness be any dissimilar ? "
The Frey operation utilize a unique treble column and pot distillery , the first of its variety manufacture by Vendome Copper and Brass Works in Kentucky . It allows the business to give rise a high volume of whiskey while discarding the " heads " and " tails " ( industry lingo for alcohol ’s more toxic components ) . The " essence " go forth behind is a thoroughgoing distillate with a sportsmanlike taste sensation and , as this writer can personally attest , few hangovers than what you ’ll get from most mass - produced whiskey brands .
Photo Courtesy of Frey Ranch
Frey Ranch sell alcoholic drink - free still waste to a neighbor dairy farm as moo-cow feed . remnant sour liquidness is directed into a flood irrigation system , reducing the need for fertilizer . The water is only in impinging with the lower part of the industrial plant , not actual grains , preventing issues with mold or mildew . It ’s a pattern for sustainability . The packaging for the yeast is the only notable waste product .
" citizenry do n’t understand farmers have been doing common - sense sustainability for a recollective time , " enounce Russell Wedlake , Frey Ranch ’s master distiller . " granger wo n’t exist if they do n’t take care of the Edwin Herbert Land . "
The farm also continues to grow alfalfa — profitable on its own , yet also crucial for crop rotation , meliorate the lineament of the dirt and reducing pests like worms and bug . " We take really good tutelage of our environs , our soil , and our lifelike resources , " adds Colby . " That ’s bred into who we are . "
Each daylight , the squad commit aside 30 - 40 barrels from the aging warehouse to taste . Anything that stands out for any reason ( like mouthfeel or finishing ) is saved in taciturnity or used as part of a unmarried - barrelful serial publication . Some valuate partners , including measure , restaurants , and shops are invited to foot out their own barrel as an exclusive special edition .
" People do n’t understand Farmer have been doing usual - horse sense sustainability for a prospicient time …. Farmer wo n’t exist if they do n’t take care of the land . "
Frey Ranch ’s signature bourbon ( a 90 - proof portmanteau word of corn , rye , barleycorn , and wheat ) and bottled - in - bond rye ( 100 % wintertime grain rye at 100 proof ) is presently usable throughout Nevada , California , and presently to come — Arizona . Online orders can be placed in at least 30 nation , allowing more than half the country to see a veridical taste of Fallon from the reason up .
