Black Dirt Distillery

Located in The Black Dirt region of New York State

Black Dirt Distilling, located in the Black Dirt region of New York State (also known as the Drowned Lands) was formed in March, 2012 to meet the demand of the newly crafted and already renowned Black Dirt Bourbon and Black Dirt Apple Jack, both of which were originally produced by sister distillery Warwick Valley Winery and Distillery,

The Black Dirt region consists of the remains of a shallow lake that formed 12,000 years ago during the glacial period. The ebony soil is so rich and unique as to be an anomaly. In some areas the soil is comprised of up to 90 percent organic matter, considered by some to be “one great big compost heap,” from both the glacial lake and repeated flooding of the Wallkill River, and can go as deep as 30 feet. More mastodons have been unearthed here than anywhere else on Earth.

Though only just over an hour’s drive from Manhattan, the black dirt spans more than 5,500 acres, and produces over half of the onions grown in New York as well as some of the best sod, pumpkins, and corn in the country, not to mention herbs, lettuce, and other greens.

In 2013 the construction of a 4,000 square foot distillery along with a 60 foot distillation column was completed in Pine Island, NY, and the new distillery will be able to produce twenty times the amount of past production.

The new Black Dirt Distillery expands upon the years of experience in both distillation and marketing that co-founders and managing partners Jason Grizzanti (right) and Jeremy Kidde (left) have accumulated. As the first micro-distillery in New York State, and over the last decade, they have produced and distributed a number of award winning brandies and liqueurs under the American Fruits brand, in addition to their critically acclaimed Warwick gin. Now, using ingredients sourced directly from the Black Dirt region, these entrepreneurs are creating some of the most vibrant spirits to emerge on the market in generations.