Owned now by Frank and Elizabeth Dix, the Kirkwood Winery and Isaiah Morgan Distillery have been in Summersville for 33 years. The special product line of fruit wines, more than just grape, has been a real hit with traveling wine tasters.
Frank Dix says, “The fun part is it is a craft wine and whiskey. It could be a hobby, but for me it is a full time job.”
Both Frank and Elizabeth are on their second career doing this business, he had been with the power company and she had worked in the health field.
“We are empty nesters. We raise 6 acres of grapes using Concord, Niagra and Catawba and we make some good grape wines. But the blackberry wine is 100% berry and there are 28 different wine flavors that we produce.” Other fruits used in the wines are peach, elderberry, raspberry, rhubarb, dandelion, ginseng and ramp.
“We probably produce over 40,000 bottles a year.”
The distillery produces a straight moonshine from corn, a barrel-finished rye whiskey, and a bourbon.
“We are expanding our building to increase the size and production of the distillery,” the Dix’s said. At the present time, the bourbon and moonshine product sells completely through the store in Summersville. There is none shipped elsewhere, and that will become possible in 2024 after the building expansion.
“Our distillery was the first in West Virginia to produce a bourbon. It is aged 4-8 years and the longer it ages the smoother it tastes.” Isaiah Morgan was the grandfather of the original owner and the name has continued through the Dix family operation.
“We showcase our wines at the West Virginia State Fair in the Gus Douglas building for the full ten days, multiple festivals around the state, and our own festival at the distillery September 15 and 16.”
The Kirkwood Festival has been going on for 30 years. This year’s long list of bands includes Travis Tritt’s daughter Tyler Reese Tritt and Canaan Smith who had a #1 country chart hit in 2015. Festival tickets are on sale online, or if you wish to get an early purchase discount you can buy direct at the booth of Kirkwood Winery at the West Virginia State Fair or their winery in Summersville, and various banks and businesses in that area.
“Over 800 people usually attend, bringing their own chairs and we serve wine and beer as well as having tastings during the weekend. We also have some grape stomping going on which is a big hit. The festival is always the third weekend in September.”
For more information, visit the Kirkwood Winery website at https://www.restaurantji.com/wv/summersville/kirkwood-winery-and-isaiah-morgan-distillery-/.
