Gallagher Farms in Elmwood Township, which is perhaps best known as the venue for Bay View Weddings, is getting a new distillery tasting room.
Although the Gallaghers still need to complete construction and secure their federal and state licenses, they hope to open for business in late summer or early fall 2025.
John Gallagher III represented Gallagher Farms when they applied for permits at the township level. Gallagher said they are opening a distillery in part to ensure the continued economic viability of the family farm.
The Gallagher clan has been farming for seven generations. John and his wife Rose Gallagher said they’re committed to continuing that tradition — even in the wake of several poor growing seasons. Governor Gretchen Whitmer describing the latest season as a “natural disaster for sweet cherry production.”
“That’s what got us started – looking at the declining cherry industry. The warming trends we’re seeing, with droughts in the winter and an abundance of moisture in early summer, cre- ate a plethora of issues that are endemic, all season along,” John said. “This gives us the opportunity to take it right from the field and bring it into production.”
“This is another way for us to diversify,” Rose agreed. “We’re not willing to let go of our agricultural history. … We started with weddings, because we wanted to find a way to ensure that we can continue farming and agriculture, but also share it with others in a very beautiful, meaningful way, and also honor our history.”
The family farm already produces fruits and grains that they sell to third parties for wine production. John says that the distillery represents an attempt at “vertical integration.” It will also involve the Gallaghers developing their own recipes and branding for their products. They plan to make vodkas, whiskies, Obaidehs, and aged brandy.
The Gallaghers started construction on the distillery in late 2023 and much of the building’s exterior is now finished. It’s located within walking distance of the Bay View Wedding venue among the vineyards, to be integrated in the existing crop cycles and rotations.
They are reluctant to give an estimated date for completion because of many variables outside their control, including permitting processes and fluctuations in labor and material costs, but the Gallaghers are striving to be done by mid-2025.
The distillery occupies five acres of the 400-acre farm. Mary says they plan to employ 20-30 people at the start of the operation, including 10-15 full-time employees with the remainder being part-time, and then increase or decrease these numbers as needed.
The distillery will be open for tours. Amendments to the township’s zoning ordinance are expected to reform alcohol regulations and introduce new uses, including outdoor tasting rooms. When the newspaper was invited on site, the Gallaghers were getting ready to pour concrete outside the distillery for an outdoor patio.
John Gallagher III also serves as the county treasurer. His brother Jordan is an Elmwood Township trustee and has abstained from township board decisions related to the development.
