Profile of Distillers or Distilleries
Gravesande Braxton Distillers – Vanessa Braxton Aka Vanessa Gravesande Braxton (CEO …Master Distiller and Master Blender) Vanessa Braxton, the First African American Woman Master Distiller and Master Blender in the USA, were awarded the New York State Proclamation by the Legislator, 16th District, for such an accomplishment. She wanted to honor her Father, Grandfather, and…
Cooper’s Daughter – Sophie Newsome (Owner, Founder) When Sophie Newsome and her husband Rory Tice began experimenting with infusions back in college at SUNY Plattsburgh, they had no idea that just a few years later, their experiments would end up becoming one of the area’s most popular local brands. Cooper’s Daughter is not just a…
Stoutridge – Kim Wagner (Owner, Founder) Kim and her husband produce award-wining wines and spirits as the founders and owners of Stoutridge, a vineyard, farm winery and distillery established in 2000 in Marlboro, NY. This Hudson Valley, family-owned manufacturing and tourism business sources 100% of its fruit and grain inputs directly from New York State…
Cheeky – April Wachtel (Founder) A 25-year veteran in the beverage and hospitality industry. April is an experienced mixologist, a cocktail and spirits instructor, host of the Movers and Shakers podcast, and Founder of Cheeky Cocktails, a line of bar-quality syrups and juices for the home and bar. April worked in every role, from busser…
C. Cassis – Rachael Petach A veteran of the hospitality industry (Andrew Tarlow collective, Chez Panisse, etc.), Rachael Petach has always delighted in shared experiences over good food and drink. In the summer of 2018 in Brooklyn, Rachael was pregnant, bored with bad mocktails and began experimenting with homemade cordials. Craving something like the fresh blackcurrants…