How far is the distillery from Louisville?

Neeley Family Distillery is about 45 minutes northeast of Louisville in Sparta, Kentucky. It's in Gallatin County, off the main Bourbon Trail routes, so plan for a bit of a drive through rural Kentucky.

What makes their bourbon different from larger distilleries?

The Neeleys grow some of their own corn right on the property and handle most of the production themselves as a family operation. You're tasting spirits made in small batches with direct family involvement from grain to bottle, rather than mass-produced bourbon.

CRAFT DISTILLERY

Connecticut

Watercure Farm Distillery

Pomfret Center,

Connecticut

— Gin, Vodka

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

📞 (860) 315-5566

🌐 http://www.watercurefarm.com/

📍 426 Mashamoquet Rd, Pomfret Center, CT 06259, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Watercure Farm Distillery sits on a 100-acre working farm in Pomfret Center, Connecticut, where owners Pete and Lisa Kowal have created something pretty unique in the craft spirits world. The couple launched their farm-to-bottle operation in 2019, converting part of their property into a distillery that grows many of its own ingredients right on site. The distillery occupies a converted barn structure where they produce small-batch spirits using estate-grown botanicals and locally sourced grains. Pete brings a background in agriculture and brewing, while Lisa handles much of the business operations and customer experience side of things. They focus on gin, vodka, and seasonal spirits that showcase ingredients grown in their own fields – think lavender, elderflower, and various herbs that find their way into their bottles. The whole setup feels more like visiting a working farm that happens to make spirits rather than a traditional distillery, which makes sense since that’s exactly what it is. You’re not just tasting spirits here – you’re experiencing the entire farm-to-glass process in action.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

The farm-to-bottle approach here isn’t just marketing speak – they actually grow a significant portion of their botanical ingredients right on the property. Pete and Lisa have planted specific crops for distilling, including lavender fields, elderflower bushes, and herb gardens that directly supply their gin and seasonal spirit production. The distillery operates on a much smaller scale than most commercial operations, with Pete often handling both the farming and distilling duties himself. What really sets them apart is the seasonal nature of their spirits – they’ll create limited runs based on what’s growing at different times of year, so you might find elderflower spirits in spring or apple-based products in fall. The whole operation feels integrated with the natural cycles of the farm rather than fighting against them.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Visits here feel more like farm tours with a spirits twist than traditional distillery experiences. You’ll likely meet Pete or Lisa personally, and they’ll walk you through both the agricultural side and the distilling process, often moving between the fields where ingredients grow and the barn where they’re transformed into spirits. The tasting room has a rustic, farmhouse feel with views out over the property, and tastings include stories about where specific botanicals come from – sometimes you can see the actual plants through the windows. The scale is intimate, with small groups and plenty of opportunity to ask questions about both farming and distilling techniques. Don’t expect polished corporate presentations – this feels more like visiting knowledgeable friends who happen to make really interesting spirits.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

This is perfect for people who want to understand the agricultural side of craft spirits or anyone interested in farm-to-table concepts applied to distilling. If you’re looking for large-production bourbon tours or flashy visitor centers, you’ll be disappointed. But if you appreciate small-scale, artisanal operations and want to see how spirits can be made using estate-grown ingredients, this offers something genuinely different. The intimate scale means you’ll learn more about the actual process and ingredients than you would at larger operations. It’s especially appealing for people interested in gin, since that’s where their botanical farming really shines. Just know that seasonal availability affects both what spirits are available and when they’re open to visitors.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead or check their website before visiting – as a small farm operation, their hours can be irregular and depend on both distilling schedules and farming seasons. Spring through fall offers the best experience since you can see the botanical gardens in their prime and understand how the growing season affects their spirit production. Ask specifically about their seasonal spirits if you visit during harvest times, as these limited runs often showcase the farm-to-bottle concept at its best. The property is rural, so GPS should work fine, but don’t expect urban amenities nearby – this is countryside Connecticut. If you’re interested in the agricultural side, Pete loves talking about the farming techniques and crop selection for distilling, so don’t hesitate to ask detailed questions about the botanical growing process.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Watercure Farm Distillery — Visitor FAQ

Do you really grow your own ingredients for the spirits?

Yes, they grow many of their botanicals right on the 100-acre farm property, including lavender, elderflower, and various herbs used in their gin production. Pete handles both the farming and distilling sides of the operation, so the ingredients move directly from field to still.

How far ahead do I need to book a visit?

Since it’s a small operation with irregular hours based on farming and distilling schedules, calling ahead is essential. They’re not always open for visitors, especially during busy farming or harvest seasons, so advance planning is definitely recommended.

What’s the best time of year to visit?

Spring through fall offers the best experience since you can see the botanical gardens growing and understand how the seasonal cycles affect their spirit production. Different times of year also mean different seasonal spirits might be available for tasting.

GETTING THERE

Find Watercure Farm Distillery

📍426 Mashamoquet Rd, Pomfret Center, CT 06259, USA

—

📞 (860) 315-5566

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