Gervasi Spirits recently made history by earning a landmark achievement at the 2025 U.S. Open Whiskey and Spirits Championships.
In a historical dual achievement, Gervasi Spirits was named Grand National Champion in the Spirits Division and earned the runner-up title in the highly competitive Whiskey Championship, becoming the first distillery in competition history to be top winners in both competitions. It is an incredibly high honor.
The prestigious U.S. Open competition is well known for attracting elite distilleries across the United States. Gervasi Spirits was recognized with a total of nine medals across both championships:
- Whiskey Division: 2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
- Spirits Division: 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
Gervasi Spirits for the Win
Included in the medal-winning entries were Gervasi’s Wine Barrel Bourbon, Small Batch Gin, and Spiced Rum, each taking home Gold, while Rum Barrel Bourbon, Maple Cask Bourbon, and Giava earned Silver in their respective categories, with Honey Heat Whiskey and Winter White Whiskey being honored with Bronze.
Shae Pridemore, head distiller says, “The Wine Barrel Bourbon is a fun collaboration between the winery and distillery. As the winery gets close to dumping wine barrels, I go over to the barrel cave and select which barrels are promising. Plus, I will have four-year-old bourbon ready on the day the wine barrels are dumped, so we can immediately bring them over and have them filled within a couple hours. You cannot find barrels much fresher, and it truly shows in the end product.”
Gervasi Spirits are crafted at a state-of-the-art distillery on the Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa grounds in Canton, Ohio. Scott Swaldo, CEO of Gervasi Vineyard and Gervasi Spirits, attributes the reason for receiving such prestigious awards to GV’s distillers and their commitment to distilling the finest.
“This recognition is a testament to the passion, precision, and innovation of our Head Distiller, Shae Pridemore and Assistant Distiller, Michael Phillips,” said Swaldo. “To be recognized among the nation’s finest in both whiskey and spirits is an incredible honor—and it reflects our deep commitment to crafting exceptional, world-class products right here in Ohio.”
The Best of the Best
The recent two victories position Gervasi Spirits on the lists of the best in the whisky and spirits distilling industry:
Top 3 Whiskey Distilleries – U.S. Open Whiskey Championship
- Moylan’s Distilling – California
- Gervasi Spirits – Ohio
- Nearest Green Distillery – Tennessee
Top 3 Spirits Distilleries – U.S. Open Spirits Championship
- Gervasi Spirits – Ohio
- Waypoint Spirits – Connecticut
- Papps Hilltop Distillery – Ohio
As Gervasi Spirits continues to grow its national presence, it is a top priority to offer a premium portfolio of handcrafted spirits, including bourbon, gin, vodka, and liqueurs—all produced with meticulous attention to detail in Gervasi’s state-of-the-art distillery.
Pridemore says, “We have a culture of bringing outstanding hospitality and experiences to our guests. I wanted our spirits to achieve the level of care and attention so they are a top-shelf experience as well. For me, that means not settling for a product that wouldn’t make me proud to put my name on it.
“For the distillery, and Gervasi as a whole, that means working with and giving back to the community. Purchasing corn, rye, blueberries, and more from local companies that show off what our region has to offer. Whether it’s the extra time we give our barrels to age, the fresh botanicals, or the raw locally sourced products, we here at Gervasi Spirits want to make sure we showcase the best we have to offer. With the latest awards we have brought home, it is nice to see other experts in our industry can appreciate what we are doing.”
For those traveling to or through Ohio and would like to visit a nationally recognized bourbon and whisky distillery, Gervasi in Canton, OH will meet the taste buds of the most discriminating bourbon, whiskey, and spirits enthusiast. Combine the tasting experience with the availability of upscale Tuscan-style dining, award-winning wines, and the availability of making it an overnight or weekend stay.
Get more details by reading more about Gervasi’s bourbons and spirits.
