Valentine Distilling Celebrates New Still w/Ribbon Cutting Party
Ferndale, MI – As Ferndale-based Valentine Distilling reaches the ten year mark, the world-recognized micro distillery has invested in expanding their capacity – including a big shiny addition.
On March 22 they celebrated the arrival of Sherbert, a new custom made 1,500 gallon still imported from the Italian distillation company Frilli.  This is the first still Frilli has ever shipped to America, and it’s already hard at work making award winning whiskey for Valentine.  The whiskey being distilled with Sherbert will be ready to bottle in 2023 due to the aging process.
The still, named after the owner’s dog, is part of a $1 million expansion in Ferndale’s industrial area. The Thursday evening event featured a ribbon cutting with local officials and of course drinks made with Valentine vodka and whiskey.
Ferndale Mayor Pro Tem Greg Pawlica helped introduce owner Rifino Valentine, saying “As businesses grow and expand, they need more room.  Sometimes they leave.  But for those that chose to stay and find a solution, those are businesses we need to celebrate,” Pawlica said.
In 2016, Valentine Distilling Co.’s production relocated and expanded from the Cocktail Lounge location in Downtown Ferndale to a 15,000-square foot warehouse on Wanda Street. The warehouse is lined with state-of-the-art copper stills and whiskey barrels from floor to ceiling. Since beginning this custom still build with Frilli, Valentine also made the decision to expand once again in the current warehouse facility to add an additional 5,000 square feet for a rick house to store the aging barrels once the product leaves the still.
Valentine recalled that ten years ago the idea of craft spirits was non-existent in Michigan.  “Now Meijer has a whole aisle,” he said. “In Michigan we’re happy to lead that.”  He also spoke of his love of Ferndale, and of Valentine’s growth around the world.  “We’re not a local distillery.  We’re an internationally recognized distillery located where you live.”
Learn more about Valentine at http://valentinedistilling.com