Chattooga Belle Farm sits on 53 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Long Creek, South Carolina, where Tom and Jenni Neville turned their working farm into one of the state’s most distinctive craft distilleries. Tom, a former pharmaceutical executive, and Jenni, who handled marketing and operations, founded the operation in 2014 after years of experimenting with distilling on their property. They produce small-batch bourbon, moonshine, and flavored spirits using traditional methods in copper pot stills, with much of their grain grown right on the farm. The distillery opened its doors to visitors in 2015, combining authentic farm-to-bottle production with Southern hospitality in a rustic barn setting that feels more like visiting friends than a commercial operation.
The Nevilles’ journey from corporate life to craft distilling started with Tom’s fascination with traditional Appalachian moonshine methods and their desire to create something meaningful on their land. They spent three years perfecting recipes and navigating regulations before opening, determined to produce spirits that reflected the character of the South Carolina mountains. Their master distiller background comes from studying under established craft distillers and extensive experimentation with different mash bills and aging techniques. The philosophy here centers on patience and authenticity – they age their bourbon in new charred oak barrels and refuse to rush the process, even when demand outpaces supply.
Visitors experience genuine farm distillery operations where you can see the grain storage, milling, fermentation, distillation, and aging all in one location. The tours take you through their working farm operation where seasonal crops like corn are still grown for production. The tasting room occupies a converted barn with exposed beams and mountain views, creating an atmosphere that’s genuinely rustic without feeling staged. What makes this worth visiting is the authentic connection between the land, the process, and the people – you’re tasting spirits made from ingredients grown on the property you’re standing on, which is increasingly rare in craft distilling.
