Global InformationCatoctin Creek Distilling Company information
39°08′11.5″N 77°42′54″W / 39.136528°N 77.71500°W
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing of distilled spirits |
| Founded | Purcellville, Virginia, 2009 |
| Founder | Scott and Rebecca Harris |
| Headquarters | Purcellville, Virginia , United States |
| Products | Distilled spirits |
| Owner | Scott and Rebecca Harris |
Number of employees | 18 |
| Website | Official website |
The Catoctin Creek Distilling Company (/kəˈtɒktən/ kə-TOK-tən), which operates under the trade name of Catoctin Creek, is the first legal distillery in Loudoun County, Virginia, since prohibition.[1] The distillery is a certified organic and kosher[2] microdistillery in Purcellville, Virginia, that produces brandy, rye whiskey,[3] and gin from local fruit, organic grain and Virginia wine.[4]
The distillery was founded in 2009 by Scott and Rebecca Harris[5] using an SBA 7(a) loan for start-up capital.[6] Initially, the company operated using custom-made 400 and 1200 liter Kothe hybrid pot-column stills.[7]
In the 2011 session of the Virginia General Assembly, the company sought approval to sell its spirits at the distillery. Virginia Senate Bill 1249 passed both the Senate and the House of Delegates and was then signed by Governor Bob McDonnell on March 26, 2011, allowing direct bottle-sales to the public from the distillery.[8] With the prior year's passage of 2010 House of Delegate Bill 952, the company now provides tastings at their distillery store, in a fashion similar to wineries within the state.[9]
In 2012, the distillery purchased the historic Case Building (built 1921) on Main Street in Purcellville, and renovated the building as the home of their new distillery. Renovations included structural repair to the roof, complete electrical upgrade, new plumbing systems, fire sprinklers, a new tasting room, extensive masonry repair, and a 41kWh solar array.[10][11][12]
In 2017, the distillery announced a new minority partner and investor, Constellation Brands of Victor, New York. In a company press release, Rebecca Harris, the co-founder and chief distiller, stated the reasoning behind the investment: "In order to expand our production and portfolio, we needed the right partner for the next level of growth. Constellation has a strong commitment to this category..."[13] Scott and Rebecca Harris, the co-founders, remain the majority owners and managers of the business.
In 2021, the company upgraded their production equipment, tripling their capacity, including a new mash cooker, fermenters, and a 2000 liter Specific Engineering hybrid pot-column still, replacing the older 400 liter pot still.[14]
- ^ "First legal distillery in Loudoun to open since prohibition" Archived 2010-05-13 at the Wayback Machine, Rachel Leon, Loudoun Times Mirror, May 5, 2010.
- ^ "Pure of Spirit: Catoctin Creek gives birth to organic, kosher liquor", Tasting Table website, posted May 11, 2010.
- ^ "Spirits: Craft whiskey distillers are over a barrel", Jason Wilson, Washington Post, May 19, 2010. p. 2.
- ^ "Wildcatting at Catoctin Creek Distillery", Proof66.com website, posted May 28, 2010.
- ^ "Meet the Makers" Archived 2011-07-07 at the Wayback Machine, Matt Colglazier, American Craft Spirits, September 20, 2010
- ^ "Sour Year for SBA Loans Ends in Uptick", Emily Maltby, Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2009
- ^ "NBC Nightly News: A Start Up ... with a twist!" Archived 2010-07-11 at the Wayback Machine, NBC Nightly News, June 2, 2010.
- ^ Virginia 2011 "Senate Bill 1249" Archived 2012-10-18 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Virginia 2010 "House of Delegates Bill 952".
- ^ WTOP.com "Local distillery drinks in the sun"
- ^ Northern Virginia Magazine "Greenprints" Archived 2013-05-08 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Leesburg Today, "Mid-July Opening Slated for Catoctin Creek's New Purcellville Distillery" Archived 2013-06-22 at the Wayback Machine, June 20, 2013.
- ^ "Press Release: Constellation Brands Invests in Virginia's Catoctin Creek Distillery" Archived 2017-02-24 at the Wayback Machine, January 5, 2017
- ^ "Loudoun Now: Catoctin Creek Triples Capacity", Loudoun Now, August 12, 2021.