Winery Name: | Flag Hill Distillery & Winery |
Location City: | Lee, New Hampshire |
Location Country: | USA |
Year Founded: | 1990 |
Key People: | Brian Ferguson - Distiller/ Winemaker |
Signature Wine: | Cayuga |
Varietal1: | La Cresant |
Varietal2: | Marechal Foch |
Varietal3: | Niagara (grape) |
Other Product1: | General John Stark Vodka |
Other Product2: | Josiah Bartlett Apple Brandy |
Other Product3: | Karner Blue Gin |
Other Product4: | Flag Hill Rum (white and spiced) |
Other Product5: | sugar maple liqueur |
Distribution: | NH, MA, VT, NY, RI |
Tasting: | Open to public 11-5 pm daily |
43.0825°N -71.0278°W Flag Hill Distillery & Winery is located in Lee, New Hampshire, United States. It is the largest vineyard in the state.[1] Flag Hill was the first legal distillery in New Hampshire after Prohibition.[2]
The land where Flag Hill is located has been farmed since the 18th century, and was formerly a dairy farm. Frank Reinhold Sr. bought 180acres in the area in 1950, and in 1985 his son Frank Reinhold Jr. took over the property with the hope of growing grapes, which he began planting in 1990. The first harvest took place in 1994 and was released in 1996,[3] [4] with the production of 500 cases of wine.[5]
Flag Hill winery was the second winery to open in New Hampshire, preceded only by Jewell Towne Vineyards.[6]
A barn dating to the late 18th century hosts the winery and tasting room.[3] There are 21acres of vineyards, and the winery produced about 4,000 cases of wine annually as of 2011, as well as 2,000 cases of liquor at its distillery.[6]
The winery grows French-American hybrids such as De Chaunac, Marechal Foch and Vignoles, as well as American hybrids such as Cayuga White and La Crescent. These varietals are more resistant to New England's cold winters than most other varietals.[7]