The Frey Ranch Estate Distillery officially got started, one year ago, with their vodka going on sale throughout northern Nevada. Now, the Fallon company's gin is being distributed, and it's made with some unique Nevada ingredients.
"It's made with Rocky Mountain Junipers and Silver Sage, which are native to Nevada, that are grown right here, on the farm," Colby Frey, Owner of Frey Ranch Estate Distillery said. "So, it's a true Nevada drink. We're really proud of it."
Not only is the gin made with Nevada ingredients, but Frey says it has a flavor that is unique to the Silver State.
"It tastes like right after a rain storm," Frey said. "You smell this beautiful smell of sagebrush and juniper, when you're out in the mountains and that's what the gin reminds me of."
Frey hopes his gin will be as successful as his vodka, saying people will buy it for its quality and because it is made locally.
"We take something from the ground. We're planting a seed and providing something from that," Frey said. "So, there's a lot of economic impact because we distribute that money around here, local, and it helps everybody out."
Frey grows wheat, rye, barley and corn, using some of the crops for his distillery. Grains only require 30-70% of the water that alfalfa needs. That has given Frey options during the drought.
"We can actually conserve water by planting grain and we're fortunate that that fits in with the distillery process and everything else," Frey said.
Frey is planting rye on 1,200 acres. He expects it to be ready by spring for both feed and distilling.
"In the past, we've just sold our grains to the dairy but now we're able to distill out the alcohol and still sell the byproducts to the dairy," Frey said.
Frey also has been making wine and brandy since 2004, three years after they planted grapes. The vines are also a water-saving crop.
"In 2001, we planted the vines," Frey said. "We were looking for a crop that consumed less water and we found out that grapes take 10%Â of the water that the alfalfa does."
Frey says the distillery has also helped the seven people that work for him. Since agriculture is a seasonal job, making alcohol allows his workers to keep working during the winter.
Frey says absinthe will be available, soon. He also has 230 barrels of bourbon and rye whiskey, in storage, that should be ready in about three years. His vodka and gin will be available in California and other states, soon.
