Governor Kaine Announces Virginia Distillery Company to Open in Nelson County

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that The Virginia Distillery Company will invest $5 million to produce their new Eades Distillery brand Scottish style malt whiskey in a Nelson County facility. The project will create 19 jobs.

“This new company has an extraordinary story,” said Governor Kaine. “The three company founders created a unique product to appeal specifically to the American palate. Nelson County provided the business resources and quality of life that The Virginia Distillery Company was looking for.”

Chris Allwood, Joe Hungate and Brian Gray have spent more than two years developing the launch of The Virginia Distillery Company. The company will handcraft malt whiskey under the Eades brand name on 95 acres near Lovingston in Nelson County.

“We chose Lovingston, Nelson County, for a number of critical reasons: the land at Eades Hollow had a perfect source of sweet, clean water; Nelson County helped in many ways to make the transition an easy one; and Forbes.com rated Virginia as the number one state for business,” said Chris Allwood, chief operating officer of The Virginia Distillery Company. “In addition, Nelson County is an incredibly beautiful location with great quality of living and I am looking forward to living and working here.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Nelson County, the Nelson County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to secure the project for the Commonwealth. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

"The Virginia Distillery Company is a welcome addition to our already strong spirits business cluster,” said Nelson County East District Supervisor Allen Hale. “It is a perfect complement to our nine wineries and two breweries, attractions, accommodations and restaurants. Tourism is Nelson County's economic engine and The Virginia Distillery Company adds another destination for visitors to our Commonwealth."