A few years ago I was given a bottle by Dr. Pat Heist and it made me say Nevada bourbon? And today, we get to hear the story of Frey Ranch with Colby and Ashley Frey. They turned a multi-generational agriculture operation into one of the most respected craft distilleries in the country. Long before the whiskeys, Colby was growing wheat, rye, barley, and corn in the high desert of Fallon, Nevada. Colby takes us through those early days of battline state legislation and assembling their custom Vendome hybrid still system. Meanwhile, Ashley walks us through crafting the brand’s packaging, and if you own a bottle you know how heavy the glass bottle and and topper are. But there’s a deeper meaning to it and I won’t spoil it for you. From meeting in college to balancing rural farm life, raising a family, and navigating the operational pressures of scaling a modern brand, Colby and Ashley give us an inside look at how they divide responsibilities, manage controlled expansion, and roll out their latest releases.
Show Notes:
- How generations of Nevada agriculture paved the way for a 100% estate-grown, grain-to-glass whiskey operation
- The early legal and legislative battles required to make craft distilling legal in the state of Nevada
- Designing and assembling a hybrid Vendome still system to achieve both high-volume output and maximum flavor control
- The story behind Ashley’s farm-inspired bottle design, including the iconic bolt topper and belt-buckle label
- How Colby and Ashley divide leadership responsibilities while raising a family on a working rural ranch
- Scaling the brand intentionally, expanding into new markets, and what to expect from their upcoming rye releases