Afton
Nelson County, Virginia
By Jennie T. Williams
It’s official! Silverback Distillery, located in Afton along Route 151, is the newest addition to the Nelson County alcohol production family. And as a producer of vodka, gin, whiskey and bourbon, you could definitely call the family-run distillery a trail blazer.
Though Denver Riggleman is a UVA graduate, he’s fairly new to Afton where he and wife and co-founder Christine Riggleman bought property after Denver completed his work for the Air Force as an intelligence officer. As much as they loved the area right away, there wasn’t much for Denver – who is allergic to beer and wine – to imbibe. So despite naysayers-aplenty (and with the best, most experienced team they could assemble), the Rigglemans jumped head first into the distillery business.
“I wanted to make something that he can drink,” said Christine, “and compliment the area.”
“And do something unequivocal,” added Denver, who earned the nickname Silverback when he greyed a little bit early, and lent the name (which he shares with the adult male gorilla) to the new family business – which accounts for the names of their products – and their bars (the Monkey Bar, the Black Back Bar, and the Swingin’ Bar… complete with swings).
Silverback had a soft open a few days ago, but officially opened the doors on Friday.
Read more about their exciting adventure into the Nelson spirits market in our September 2014 issue being distributed now!
