IMPORTANT: Always call the business before going to take the factory tour. We try and keep our data s up-to-date as possible but you should always check first.
Print This Page
Print This Page
Company
Cold River Vodka
437 US Route One, Freeport, ME 04032
Map Location Latitude: 43.855515 Longitude: -70.105892
Email Address: [email protected]
Click here to go to the company web site
This tour is free
Cold River Vodka
437 US Route One, Freeport, ME 04032
Map Location Latitude: 43.855515 Longitude: -70.105892
Email Address: [email protected]
Click here to go to the company web site
This tour is free
Description
The idea for Cold River Vodka originated with brothers Lee and Donnie Thibodeau. Growing up in Presque Isle, the heart of Maine?s potato country, they listened to their father and uncles tell about their history of turning potatoes into vodka. However, the realities of tending to the potato crop and the rigors of the annual harvest left little time.
Five years ago, the idea of commercially producing vodka resurfaced between Donnie and Lee as they were driving back to their childhood home in Presque Isle. After years of thinking of business ideas and talking about the future of Maine?s potato industry, the two decided to make the best vodka from Maine potatoes.
Maine?s agricultural industry is always searching for ways to add value to staple crops. This goal complemented the Thibodeaus? desire to preserve Maine?s open space and become the only distillery in the country that would oversee its entire production ? from planting potato seed to bottling vodka.
They called longtime friend Bob Harkins, who had recently left his post as a ski area executive, and asked him to explore the feasibility of producing vodka using Maine potatoes and Maine water. With that call, the business was born.
The three needed someone who knew distilling and soon discovered Chris Dowe. After a decade of installing and consulting on breweries across the country, he wanted to spend more time with his family in Maine.
The four partners and their wives chose the name Cold River Vodka. Glaciers carved the Cold River through the backbone of western Maine millennia ago. From the aquifer that this clear, pristine river feeds, the distillery takes its water. From a dream to a reality, from the ground to glass, from spud to super-premium spirit ? this is Cold River Vodka.
The idea for Cold River Vodka originated with brothers Lee and Donnie Thibodeau. Growing up in Presque Isle, the heart of Maine?s potato country, they listened to their father and uncles tell about their history of turning potatoes into vodka. However, the realities of tending to the potato crop and the rigors of the annual harvest left little time.
Five years ago, the idea of commercially producing vodka resurfaced between Donnie and Lee as they were driving back to their childhood home in Presque Isle. After years of thinking of business ideas and talking about the future of Maine?s potato industry, the two decided to make the best vodka from Maine potatoes.
Maine?s agricultural industry is always searching for ways to add value to staple crops. This goal complemented the Thibodeaus? desire to preserve Maine?s open space and become the only distillery in the country that would oversee its entire production ? from planting potato seed to bottling vodka.
They called longtime friend Bob Harkins, who had recently left his post as a ski area executive, and asked him to explore the feasibility of producing vodka using Maine potatoes and Maine water. With that call, the business was born.
The three needed someone who knew distilling and soon discovered Chris Dowe. After a decade of installing and consulting on breweries across the country, he wanted to spend more time with his family in Maine.
The four partners and their wives chose the name Cold River Vodka. Glaciers carved the Cold River through the backbone of western Maine millennia ago. From the aquifer that this clear, pristine river feeds, the distillery takes its water. From a dream to a reality, from the ground to glass, from spud to super-premium spirit ? this is Cold River Vodka.
Hours
Visitors are welcome to tour our Distillery and watch the Cold River Vodka process as it happens.
Visit our gift shop, too-- retail items available include Cold River Vodka, gift baskets, glassware, logowear and more! For a look at some of our more popular gift items, click here.
Our Distillery and Gift Shop are open for tours and shopping from 12pm to 5pm everyday except Sundays and Mondays. We look forward to seeing you in Freeport!
Visitors are welcome to tour our Distillery and watch the Cold River Vodka process as it happens.
Visit our gift shop, too-- retail items available include Cold River Vodka, gift baskets, glassware, logowear and more! For a look at some of our more popular gift items, click here.
Our Distillery and Gift Shop are open for tours and shopping from 12pm to 5pm everyday except Sundays and Mondays. We look forward to seeing you in Freeport!
This information was brought to you by a contributing member:
Mary Weir
Mary Weir
For site problems or suggestions please use the contact form HERE