For many, the craft beverage industry probably recalls the bold flavors of a local IPA, the crispness of a small-batch cider, or the smooth finish of a handcrafted whiskey. But behind every fine-crafted sip is a deep connection to agriculture. From barley and hops to grapes, apples, and botanicals, craft beverages all start in the soil and are tended to with care, labor, and precision by farmers and producers before becoming the delicious finished products we come to know and love. New York State is home to a rich and diverse craft beverage industry with many “farm-to-glass” producers who grow, harvest, and produce their products in house, like NYS Grown & Certified producer Shady Knoll Orchards and Distillery, one of 50 craft beverage producers in the program.
Shady Knoll Orchards & Distillery, located just south of Millbrook in New York’s Hudson Valley, is the long-awaited realization of a lifelong dream for founder Rick Keipper, who bought the farm in 1980 with his wife, Sherry. It wasn’t until nearly three decades later that the couple officially kicked off their plans to grow their own apples and produce their own apple brandy. In 2011, they planted their apple orchard of about 1,900 dwarf apple trees, followed quickly with their classic French pot still, the building of their distillery in 2015, then bought farm equipment to start planting rye and other grains, and then added their tasting room. And in 2015, the family’s role expanded when Rick’s son-in-law, Andrew Richards, became Shady Knoll’s Head Distiller.
Today, Shady Knoll grows over 120 varieties of American and European apples, as well as rye, wheat, and corn on approximately 20 acres of farmland. These crops are used to make apple spirits, Shady Knoll Apple Brandy and Pommeau, and grain spirits, Shady Knoll Rye Whiskey, Single Barrel Rye Whiskey, Four Grain Whiskey and Whiskey. The farm also produces honey from the honey bees that pollinate the orchard.
The farm has been a proud member of NYS Grown & Certified since 2019, which means that they adhere to a higher standard of environmental stewardship by enrolling in the Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program. As part of that, the farm has worked closely with the Dutchess County Soil and Water Conservation District to implement numerous sustainable practices, including participating in a cover crop planting program to help rejuvenate the fields and control weed growth, developing a dewatering plan for the spent grains from distillery operations, and planting over 240 trees and shrubs to provide fruits and cover for honey bees and wildlife.
Rick has also found that the program helps him connect with other community members who recognize and appreciate the importance of supporting local agribusinesses. Rick and Andrew work hard to be active members of their community, participating in the Millbrook farmers market, hosting events at Shady Knoll’s tasting room for local organizations, and providing Shady Knoll spirits for events by local organizations.
Rick credits his grandfather, who was a farmer, with teaching him the joys (and difficulties) of farming. In reflecting on why he found it so fulfilling, Rick distilled it down to: “I love growing things and making things from what we grow.”
Find more about Shady Knoll Orchards & Distillery on their website, or on their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.