20090724

Distillery/arts project for Upstate NY

BETHEL, NY -- Drinks and music go together very nicely, so the husband/wife team of Stacy Cohen and Monte Sachs (right) are planning on making a business of it for themselves. And, what better way to go about it than being supported through a $295,000 grant?

They are planning to build the Dancing Cat Distillery on Route 17B near Bethel Woods, a project that would include a tasting room for their distilled spirits, plus a venue for music and other art forms.

The Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency announced it secured a Rural Business Enterprise Grant for the project from the U.S. Department of Agricultural. It will purchase the distilling equipment, and lease it to the distillery. The leasing fees will go into a revolving fund used to finance other local agricultural projects.

The 5,000-square-foot building is targeted for a spring 2010 opening. Groundbreaking will take place in September, and Sachs and Cohen intend to begin production this winter. Their plans call for the production of distilled spirits utilizing crops from local farmers, as well as from on-site fruit orchards. The distillery will produce vodka, baby bourbon, gin, whiskey, brandy and grappa for sale to visitors and local establishments, and will also offer tasting tours.

"I am still amazed at the way everyone came together to make this happen," Sachs said. "There were so many people on the state, county and town level who are behind this project and played a part in the grant process. In the end, everyone in the county wins because of this renewed support of agricultural development."

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3 comments:

Tuthilltown Sprits said...

Although I support Stacy and Monte, who have visited us at Tuthilltown Spirits in Gardiner, NY, in their effort to create local spirits from local agricultural materials; they are not going to be making any Baby Bourbon. That is a Brand Name of Tuthilltown Spirits and part of our lineup of seven HUDSON WHISKEYS. Just soes there's no confusion. Ralph Erenzo, Tuthilltown Spirits Farm Distillery.

Anonymous said...

Quite a snappy comment for one who claims to be "supportive"!

Ralph Erenzo said...

My comments do not have anything to do with Stacy and Monte or their project, they were directed to the writer's use of the term and nothing more. And I put my name on my comments, rather than to duck behind "Anonymous".