Fallon’s Frey Ranch Distillery has won the 2022 Nevada Agriculture, Food & Beverage Small Business of the Year Award. From left, Brad Scribner of Made in Nevada, Frey Ranch Distillery owners Colby and Ashley Frey, and Nevada Agriculture Commissioner JJ Goykoechi in his room at the Frey Ranch Distillery tasting.
Sarah Dowling | NNG
they drink it!
Fallon’s Frey Ranch Distillery has won the 2022 Nevada Agriculture, Food & Beverage Small Business of the Year award.
At the January 26 presentation, Nevada Agriculture Commissioner JJ Goicoechea and Made In Nevada’s Brad Scribner presented owners Colby and Ashley Frey with a certificate and a wooden plaque in the shape of Nevada. This annual award honors the achievements of Nevada’s agriculture, food and beverage industries.
“I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Frey. I couldn’t be more honored to be here today,” said Goicoechea. “They make straight bourbon, straight rye and single barrel whiskey. % is used in these (whiskey) products.”
According to the NDA, Frey Ranch’s appointment recognizes the operation as “a true farm-to-grass operation and one of only four estate distilleries in the country.” We were also recognized for our commitment and dedication to giving back to the community, Churchill County Tourism Hub, and our 25 employee contributions to the economy and workforce. ”
The distillery was selected from 15 nominees in the categories of Nevada ranch, food, manufacturing and beverage companies.
“I’m very honored,” Colby Frey said. “Ashley and I were looking for a way to really showcase the produce our family has grown all our lives.
“Thank you to all the team members who really helped us get to this point,” added Ashley Frey. “Becoming Nevada’s number one whiskey in its Ultra He Premium Her category is a huge honor and something we dreamed of.
Freys Estate Distillery first introduced brandy in 2013 and the first batch of vodka the following year on a 1,200-acre ranch 12 miles south of Fallon.
But whiskey is their first love. In late 2020, Freys entered the California market, first in Upstate and then in Southern California.
While distillers grew their own grains for spirits, the ranch’s early staples such as wine, brandy, gin and vodka were discontinued for whiskey products.
“I always thought of myself as a whiskey distiller,” Frey said in an earlier LVN article. “Our whiskey ages on average five years. We knew we could compete nationally.”
The distillery at 1045 Dodge Lane in Fallon offers free whiskey tastings and distillery tours every Saturday from noon to 4pm, no reservations required.