Craft distillery planned for Culpeper County

The owners of Old House Vineyards plan to open a new craft distillery on their family farm in Culpeper County. 

The venture, to be called Old House Distillery, will involve an investment of  $229,000 and is expected to create three new jobs.

Old House’s investment will include site improvements, buildings and equipment needed to open a distillery, tasting room and remote-licensed ABC store on the 75-acre farm. 

The distillery’s primary product will be a Virginia brandy. In addition, Old House will provide distilling services for local wineries to distill their wines into fortified spirits for a port-style wine. 

Old House will also begin a Virginia brandy collection in partnership with other wineries around the commonwealth

The distillery will source 82 percent of its grain, grapes, and honey from Virginia agricultural producers, spending more than $101,000 over three years.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe approved a $20,000 grant from the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) to assist with the project.

Virginia now has about 20 craft distilleries in addition to more than 260 wineries and cideries and 100 craft breweries.