About Windsor Run Distillery
Traditional spirits made with modern technology in the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina
Our Story
Windsor Run Distillery grew naturally out of the work being done at Windsor Run Cellars. In the early days, the distillery existed primarily to support the winery, producing brandy distilled from estate-grown grapes that would later be used in fortified wines and meads. What began as a practical part of winemaking soon became something visitors were curious about in its own right.
The first spirits were produced on a small copper pot still — simple, traditional, and well suited for learning the rhythm of distillation. As interest grew and production expanded, the distillery moved to a larger three-chamber still that allowed greater capacity and refinement. Today, Windsor Run Distillery operates on a modern 100-gallon electric still, continuing the same careful approach while allowing the distillery to produce a broader range of spirits.
What started as a supporting role for the winery has gradually evolved into a full distilling program, producing brandy, grappa-style spirits, gin, honey spirits, and specialty liqueurs — all still rooted in the same spirit of experimentation and craftsmanship that began with that first copper still.
A Distillery inside a winery
When Windsor Run began distilling, North Carolina regulators had little precedent for operating a distillery inside a working winery. The state required the distillation area to be physically separated from the winery, leaving two options: build a completely separate building or create a secured enclosure around the still.
Rather than construct a new structure, a fence was built around the distillery equipment — giving Windsor Run its distinctive “caged distillery.” Today the enclosure remains one of the most talked-about features of the facility during tours, offering visitors a close look at the still and the unusual path that brought the distillery into existence.
From Fortified wines to spirits
The original goal of the distillery was to create brandy used in fortified wines produced by the winery. As visitors learned more about the process and interest continued to grow, the distillery expanded its focus beyond production for wine and into a lineup of spirits including brandy, grappa-style spirits, gin, honey spirits, and specialty liqueurs.
visit windsor run distillery
Visitors are invited to explore the distillery through guided tours, tastings, and the opportunity to purchase bottles available exclusively at the distillery.
