NEWSLETTER
A Limited-Edition Spirit of Montmorency Cherries, Crafted in Reverence to Terroir and Tradition
Hudson, NY – Klocke Estate, the acclaimed Hudson Valley distillery rooted in regenerative agriculture and European brandy traditions, proudly announces the release of its Sour Cherry eau de vie – a single-fruit spirit crafted from Montmorency cherries. This rare and limited-edition expression captures the full purity of the fruit and terroir, and marks a significant new chapter for Klocke’s earth-to-glass legacy.
For founder and CEO John Frishkopf, eau de vie holds a deeply personal connection. “I was first introduced to eau de vie during my decade living in Europe,” Frishkopf shares. “There was a simplicity and elegance to it – something elemental. No oak, no additives, just fruit, fermentation, and distillation. With this release, we return to the heart of the craft.”
A Spirit of Precision and Purity
French for “water of life,” eau de vie is one of the world’s most nuanced spirit categories – dry, fruit-forward, and revered for its integrity. Klocke’s Sour Cherry eau de vie begins in Germantown, NY at Fix Brothers Farm – a fifth-generation orchard dating back to 1899 – where Montmorency cherries develop exceptional character in soil laden with clay, shale, and gravel.. At peak ripeness, the cherries were transported to Klocke Estate and fermented whole-fruit with stems and pits intact, a traditional European method that extracts complexity and depth. After slow distillation, the final spirit is rested in glass demijohns, allowing the spirit to mellow and integrate while encouraging the more subtle fruit characteristics to emerge.
The finished spirit showcases a clean, luminous character with bright aromas of sour cherries and deeper notes of almonds, a mineral-driven mid-palate, and a refined, long, and full-bodied finish. Only 216 bottles were produced, making it a true collector’s release. Of those, 125 have been acquired by the exclusive spirits membership Odes to Vie, leaving just 91 bottles available to the public.
“Eau de vie is the least commercial, most connoisseur-driven spirit in the world,” says Klocke Estate’s Head Distiller, Caleb Gregg. “It starts with incredible fruit, and ends with an
uncompromising process. There’s no place to hide. It’s an ode to the land – and in our case, the Hudson Valley.”
An Homage to the Orchard and the Table
This spirit is best enjoyed neat as a refined end to a fine meal. However, bartenders across the country are taking note of eau de vie’s potential, with a surge of interest in using it in garden-inspired cocktails and minimalist classics.
At the estate’s bar, the Grand Contessa is one of the signature eau de vie cocktails, made from Louis Roque La Vieille Prune Brandy, Amaro Nonino, Brevis White Vermouth, Klocke Estate sweet cherry eau de vie, and orange bitters.
“This is only the beginning,” says Klocke Estate’s hospitality director, Kristine Danks. “We’re just starting to explore what’s possible. Eau de vie is a playground for purity and precision. It brings a whole new dimension to cocktails.”
Future Releases
This first cherry eau de vie marks the start of a larger vision at Klocke Estate: to produce annual single-fruit expressions that highlight both seasonality and sustainability. Upcoming releases include eau de vie of Traminette and plum.
Availability
Klocke Estate’s Sour Cherry eau de vie is now available at the distillery and via limited allocation. Visit www.klocke-estate.com.
About Klocke Estate
Klocke Estate is pioneering American brandy. Sweeping across 160 acres of picturesque farmland in Hudson, NY, the luxury earth-to-glass distillery honors the rich traditions of European brandy-making while innovating through regenerative agriculture and artisanal craftsmanship.
Klocke Estate ’00 Apple Brandy was its inaugural spirits release alongside a pair of refined vermouths (White and Sweet Red) under the Brevis name. That was followed by the launch of Flyback, a line of small-batch bottled cocktails crafted in-house. The estate also produces limited edition unoaked eau de vie that showcase seasonal Hudson Valley fruit. Its aged brandies mature in French Limousin oak, to be carefully blended and released over time.
Designed by BarlisWedlick Architects with Wagner Hodgson Landscape Architecture, and featuring a world-class tasting room and restaurant by AD100 designer Ken Fulk, Klocke Estate offers immersive tours, field-to-glass tastings, and refined dining in the heart of the Hudson Valley.
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