High on a ledge, firmly perched upon rock, is the apt-named Ledgerock Distillery. The distillery, which opened in 2018, sits on the fertile soil of the Niagara Escarpment on the Retzer Family farm. Their 500 acres is where all of their spirit grains are grown, harvested, stored, ground, distilled, bottled and labeled – usually by members of the Retzer family themselves. It’s really from “farm to bottle,” if you will. They actually call it “From Seed to Spirit.”
The Retzers focus on sustainability, including with how they grow yellow corn and soft red winter wheat, striving for superior soil structure to aid in better air and water filtration and higher quality grains. Being located in a unique position atop the ledge – aka the Niagara Escarpment – gives their land unique qualities regarding drainage, soil, and more.
Spirits they offer include:
- Retzer Farm Bourbon
- Farm Boy Bourbon
- Ledgerock Corn Whiskey, derived from the yellow corn grown on their farm. Often aged in Bourbon barrels, but sometimes they use port wine or rum barrels, so the flavors can vary by year and season.
- Ledgerock Vodka, made of 100% corn and triple-distilled
- Frostbite Gin, a gin that seeks to minimize the piney notes of the Juniper used. Bitter orange peel and coriander add citrus notes
- Grandview Garden Gin, similar to the Frostbite but with rose hips and a different level of infusion, which also adds a bit of golden color.
They have a tasting room up front where you can enjoy samples, which of course is right next to the area where you can buy their bottled spirits and any merch. The other room features a bar for cocktails, snacks, and seating.
See more about Ledgerock on this clip from Discover Wisconsin, which State Trunk Tour founder Eric Paulsen also co-hosts (although not in this particular piece…)
You’ll find Ledgerock Distillery on the ledge, up the hill, from U.S. 45 south of Fond du Lac, just a couple of minutes from the U.S. 151 bypass around Fond du Lac. I-41 cruises nearby just a few miles to the west, with easy access via County B or U.S. 151/45.
Ledgerock Distillery Address:
N5287 Grandview Road
Fond du Lac, WI 54937
(920) 238-9588
Website
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