Jeff and Laurie Quint

Jeffrey (Jeff) Anthony Quint, alongside his wife Laurie, founded Cedar Ridge Distillery in 2005 in Swisher, Iowa becoming the first licensed distillery in Iowa since Prohibition.  Fueled by a passion for spirits and a deep-rooted connection to winemaking, Jeff envisioned creating not just a distillery, but a destination that would offer a unique experience for both locals and visitors traveling through the Midwest. The result was Cedar Ridge, a fully integrated Vineyard, Winery, and Distillery featuring a Kitchen, Tasting Bar, and Event Center, all dedicated to showcasing high-quality, locally crafted products.

Quint was born in September of 1962 in the rural town of Winthrop, Iowa, where he developed a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for his local community. His family's winemaking heritage extends back nine generations to Wintrich, Germany, a village in the renowned Moselle River wine region. In 1881, his great-grandfather immigrated to Iowa, bringing with him a deep-rooted tradition of winemaking that would later influence Jeff’s own journey in the industry. Despite federal laws prohibiting home distilling, Jeff fondly recalls his father making apple brandy from a small family still that today is on display at the distillery. These early experiences ignited Jeff’s passion for distillation and set the foundation for Cedar Ridge.

Jeff pursued higher education at the University of Northern Iowa, where he majored in accounting. His professional career spanned 30 years, beginning as a CPA and eventually progressing to CFO roles, primarily in tech-focused firms, after gaining extensive experience. His expertise in finance, combined with his passion for winemaking and distillation, allowed him and Laurie to successfully navigate the challenges of launching and growing Cedar Ridge.

Prior to launch, Iowa was not widely recognized for whiskey production, and establishing a distillery in the state presented unique challenges. However, Jeff remained steadfast in his vision: to create a premium product using locally sourced grains. This commitment to quality and craftsmanship became the foundation of Cedar Ridge’s identity. By embracing a grain-to-glass philosophy, the distillery ensured that every bottle of whiskey was crafted using locally grown grains.  Additionally, the Quint’s are grateful for their business relationship with the

Building Cedar Ridge required overcoming significant legal and regulatory hurdles, securing funding, and carving out a place in the competitive spirit market. The distillery’s flagship product, Cedar Ridge Iowa Bourbon, gained recognition for its distinctive flavor and high quality, earning numerous awards. After debuting its first batch of whiskey in 2010, Cedar Ridge Distillery quickly gained national recognition in the craft spirits industry, earning prestigious accolades, including the American Distilling Institute’s “2017 Distiller of the Year” and “Best American Craft Whiskey” at the 2016 New York World Spirits Competition.

Crafting a bourbon that resonates with consumers is just the beginning; strategic marketing and partnerships play a vital role in sustained success. Two significant collaborations for the distillery include its partnerships with the local heavy metal band Slipknot and the regional grocery chain Hy-Vee. The collaboration with Slipknot resulted in the creation of Slipknot No. 9 and the award-winning Slipknot No. 9 Reserve, recognized as "Best Celebrity Whiskey" by Forbes in both 2019 and 2020. Quint also emphasizes the importance of Hy-Vee’s support, which was instrumental in bringing Cedar Ridge products to retail and remains a key factor in the brand’s ongoing success.