Folks in Charlotte County have a new small batch distiller of spirits nearby since Springfield Distillery opened its doors recently in neighboring Halifax County. Springfield is owned and operated by James and Kelly Gordon on the grounds of the historic Springfield Farm, 9040 River Road in the News Ferry community.

“Like all start-up businesses, it took a lot of planning, resources and elbow grease to get here,” James Gordon said in a press release. “We certainly wouldn’t have been able to achieve all we have without the fantastic support we have received from our neighbours and the wider community.”

In March, Gov. Terry McAuliffe and then-Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore (since appointed to serve as Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade) appeared at Springfield to announce the award of an Agriculture and Forestry Industrial Development grant to support the Gordons’ plans.

“That’s just one example of the real support we’ve felt from the state and locally,” Kelly Gordon said. “The community has embraced our plans, which seem to fit into Virginia’s agritourism efforts.”

Industrial Development Authority (IDA) Deputy Director Kristy Johnson said the authority appreciates entrepreneurs like the Gordons.

“So, we at the IDA work to match them with other available resources in an attempt to ease and speed their plans to market,” Johnson said.

“Springfield’s plans forward our community’s plans,” Halifax IDA Executive Director Matt Leonard said. “They’ll add jobs and capital investment, as well as promote the (region) out to the world with their products.”

Along with unique whiskeys, Springfield will also offer well-appointed cabins for overnight accommodations and classes in artisan woodworking on its grounds through a supporting farm business and Bed and Breakfast operation.