Country Heritage Winery just celebrated the opening of its new sister brand–
Backroads Distilling Company, which brings made-in-house spirits and The Stillhouse at Backroads to the popular winery in Laotto, Indiana.
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Maygan LecoThe StillhouseOne of the company’s distillers, Patrick Tanesky, holds 14 years of experience making alcohol. He’s dedicated the past six months, alongside Country Heritage Owners Jeremy and Jennifer Lutter, to creating high-quality spirits for The Backroads Stillhouse. During tours at the soft opening, Tanesky shared that the new distillery utilizes a farm-to-table distilling process, which means the produce used comes from the owner’s local farm.
In addition to house-made spirits, The Stillhouse at Backroads offers a newly constructed dine-in area, bar rail seating, and a full kitchen with year-round views of the stunning landscape Country Heritage is well-known for.
In one corner of the distillery sits an oversized leather couch and chairs for comfortable lounging. Nearby, double doors open up to the cocktail classroom which overlooks the large copper pot still.
Input Fort Wayne sat down with Country Heritage Hospitality Director Milene Silveira to learn more about what guests can expect from the new distillery and its farm-to-table method.
Input Fort Wayne: Backroads Distilling Company recently opened on the grounds of Country Heritage in LaOtto—how would you describe the new space in just a few words?
Milene Silvera: The Stillhouse is our newly opened 21+ cocktail lounge, showcasing our handcrafted spirits. Blending industrial charm with rustic warmth, it offers a unique and inviting atmosphere. The Stillhouse is nestled between our winery and distillery, with stunning views of our grounds and courtyard.
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Maygan LecoA sign inside The Stillhouse walks guests through the farm-to-table process.IFW: What makes Backroads’ spirits stand out from the big-name brands available in stores?
MS: Backroads Distilling Company embraces a true farm-to-bottle process, using the freshest ingredients sourced directly from the Lutter’s family farm. With over a century of farming legacy, we grow all the corn, wheat and rye distilled in our spirits. This commitment to small batch, quality and craftsmanship sets Backroads apart. Our spirits are currently available at our winery and Stillhouse, although we hope to be in the retail market in the future.
IFW: When it comes to the farm operation, how did you plan the harvest for opening a new business like this one?
MS: The opening of the distillery was a carefully planned endeavor, with crops specifically planted and harvested from the Lutter Family Farm to produce spirits. The grains and grapes used for the initial distillation were gathered during the summer and fall of 2024.
IFW: What liquors are currently available, and what new products can we expect in the future?
MS: We currently offer three distinct types of vodka– a grain-based, a wheat-based, and one distilled with Country Heritage grapes, each with its own unique profile. Additionally, we have an American gin and a white rum, both available bottled and in cocktails.
Our latest release is an espresso vodka, crafted with locally sourced coffee beans and excellent for espresso martinis. We’re excited to expand our vodka selection with new flavors and introduce aged spirits, including bourbon, to the market.
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Maygan LecoInside Backroads Distilling CompanyIFW: How much time went into perfecting the recipes from start to finish?
MS: Perfecting recipes has been an ongoing task since we distilled our first batch of vodka back in September. We are blessed to have an experienced distiller, Patrick Tanesky, and award-winning mixologist, Rachel Miller, on our team.
IFW: What’s your go-to cocktail featuring Backroads spirits?
MS: My go-to favorite has been the Farmhouse Pear Martini, although the Gin & Berry Trail has been a close second.
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Maygan LecoBackroads Old Fashioned (left) and Cask & Coffee Martini (right)IFW: Are there any unique barreling processes being used at the distillery?
MS: As we embark on our distilling journey, our initial barrels are the industry standard. We are excited to experiment with different levels of char and toast barrels to best fit our spirits. Our aged bourbon, crafted from our very own grain, is truly something we look forward to!
IFW: Besides house-distilled liquors, what else will be available at the new location?
MS: The Stillhouse offers a full food menu, including our signature wood-fired pizzas. We also feature the complete range of Country Heritage wines and a selection of unique mocktail options.
IFW: What sparked the idea for starting the distillery?
MS: Given the Lutters’ extensive experience in farming thousands of acres, expanding into spirits was a natural progression. In 2021, Jeremy Lutter attended
Moonshine University in Louisville, Kentucky, where he earned his distiller’s license. The distillery’s still was commissioned from Vendome Brass in 2022.
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Maygan LecoThe distillery’s still was commissioned from Vendome Brass in 2022.IFW: How long did the building process take?
MS: The building process for Backroads and the Stillhouse took nearly two years to be finished, fulfilling a long-held dream for proprietors Jeremy and Jennifer Lutter.
IFW: Are there any upcoming events where the public can check out the new space?
MS: The Stillhouse is open seven days a week. On Sunday from noon to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday from 3-9 p.m., Friday from 3-10 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.. We will occasionally offer live music and potentially other events in the future, including tours, but in the meantime, guests can visit us during our open hours and enjoy The Stillhouse. The latest updates will be shared on
Facebook and
Instagram!
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Maygan LecoThe bar at The StillhouseFind tours and experiences at the winery and distillery or
make a reservation.
Country Heritage Winery and The Stillhouse are located at 185 Co Rd 68, Laotto, IN 46763.