Buzz
The link between alcohol and the paranormal is undeniable, especially when so many ghostly legends are tied to those indulging in a drink. Whether it's the irony or the fact that many of these locations offer complimentary samples, numerous establishments where alcohol is crafted are also home to ghost stories.
This list highlights ten unique breweries, distilleries, and vineyards from both North America and Europe that claim to have lingering spirits enjoying their beverages. The world’s complex history, swaying between prohibition and wild celebrations, has undoubtedly set the stage for ghost stories to emerge in these historic places.
10. The Winery at Marjim Manor
Nestled by the shores of Lake Ontario in Upstate New York, Marjim Manor was turned into a winery in 2003 by entrepreneur Margo Sue Bittner, who also runs it as a bed and breakfast. However, the grand manor’s history dates much further back. First bought in 1834 by Schudal Scutter Merritt, the impressive brick residence was completed in 1854.
It is said that Merritt, his wife, son, and countless others who have lived on the property simply couldn’t part with its charm, even after their passing. Both paranormal investigators and the current owner have reported frequent occurrences of strange phenomena. These include equipment malfunctioning, objects being mysteriously displaced, and sightings of the Merritt family’s spectral figures wandering the estate. There have even been reports of a ghostly dog seen prowling around the grounds.
9. Jura Whisky
The Scottish island of Jura lies on the same longitude as Glasgow, with its largest village, Craighouse, hosting a population of just over two hundred people. Despite its small size, the Jura Single Malt Scotch Whisky distillery is located in Craighouse, and their renowned spirits are sold worldwide. However, the brewing of alcohol on the island wasn’t always so unrestricted. A staunch prohibitionist, Laird Archibald Campbell, was once visited by ghosts one fateful evening as a consequence of his actions.
In 1781, the Laird reportedly had a visit from a spectral woman who appeared by his bedside, demanding that alcohol be brewed on the island once again. The following year, Campbell responded by opening his own distillery. Superstition, it seems, had a strong influence. Yet, the 1700s aren't the only period associated with ghostly happenings; it's said that the spirit of an old schoolteacher named Elizabeth still lingers on the distillery grounds.
8. Wynkoop Brewery
This next haunted location is in Denver, Colorado. The Wynkoop Brewery operates out of a 125-year-old building with turn-of-the-century architecture and some hidden tunnels. Although one might think the building was once a speakeasy, it was originally a mercantile that connected to the train station, with tunnels used to transport supplies.
While the building may not have a speakeasy’s secretive past, it’s certainly filled with restless spirits. Visitors to the basement report hearing strange noises, seeing apparitions, and even feeling ghostly hands wandering through the air. Many men claim to have their legs squeezed in the men’s bathroom. The main brewery floor has its own hauntings, notably the ghost of a lady dressed in red. Denver's first craft brewery often invites paranormal investigators and hosts tours for the public to experience the eerie atmosphere.
7. Bowmore Distillery
Scotland, the birthplace of whisky, makes its appearance again on this list, and the next haunted spot is the Bowmore Distillery, located on the Isle of Islay, just south of Jura Island. While Bowmore was founded in the 1700s, it’s home to a ghostly presence quite similar to the famous headless horseman of Sleepy Hollow.
According to legend, a crofter named Lachlan Bàn once returned from his work on the farm to witness the shadow of a headless rider galloping away from his home. Although the spirit lacked a head, it left behind an open bottle of Bowmore whisky before disappearing into the night. To add to the eerie tale, Lachlan’s brother later reported their father had passed away, wishing for one last dram of scotch with his son. The sightings of the headless horseman and other spirits continue to this day.
6. Moon River Brewing
Situated on the border of South Carolina and the vast Atlantic Ocean lies the charming Georgian city of Savannah. It is here that you'll find the Moon River Brewing Company, a location known for its haunting history. Although the building began its life as a brewery only in 1999, its origins go back to 1821, when it first served as a hotel. In 1851, it even featured a live lion exhibit, highlighting the establishment’s once upscale nature.
Although far removed from the days of big cats, the brewery now offers ghost tours to visitors. The location is known for several paranormal occurrences, including the apparition of a gambler who met his demise at the hands of a precise doctor, as well as the restless spirits of yellow fever victims who died while the building served as a temporary hospital. A spirit affectionately known as 'Toby' is reported to touch or even shove people who visit the brewery.
5. Mansfield Winery
Sommeliers frequently claim that Napa Valley wines in California are so exquisite they’re worth dying for. Sometimes, that claim is taken quite literally. The Franco-Swiss vineyard, which would later be renamed Mansfield Winery, was founded in 1876. However, just a decade later, a worker named Louis Murback decided to pursue a different path—a life of crime. After stealing from the winery, Murback was promptly fired, yet he still felt wronged by the decision.
In retaliation, Murback drank heavily on the very wine he had stolen, purchased a gun, and took revenge on the winery owner’s nephew. It’s said that the spirit of Jules Millet, the nephew, still roams the grounds to this day. He apparently harbors a strong aversion to light fixtures, and it’s reported that the owners have witnessed light bulbs, flashlights, and even lava lamps suddenly burst after hearing eerie, ghostly noises.
4. The Haunch of Venison
With a history stretching back over 700 years, it’s no surprise that the Haunch of Venison, an English pub and brewery, is said to be haunted. Located in Salisbury, the pub allegedly hosts dozens of spirits. Over the years, countless ghostly events have startled and entertained patrons, making it impossible to list them all.
Notable occurrences include knives floating and standing upright, glassware levitating before shattering, the mummified hand of a gambler mysteriously disappearing and reappearing, and even sightings of Winston Churchill’s ghost. With so many spirits reported to haunt the pub, it’s believed that no one has ever bothered to count them, though it's assumed there are at least thirty or more.
3. Kilbeggan Distillery
Kilbeggan Distillery is recognized as Ireland’s oldest whiskey distillery still in operation. Established in 1757 by Matthias McManus, the distillery has endured through the centuries, with its products reaching global markets. The distillery’s history was deeply impacted by the Irish prohibition movements of the 18th and 19th centuries, including the Distilling Act and the Temperance Movement. This led to a series of underground brewing efforts, bootlegging activities, and even whiskey rationing laws during the 1900s due to food shortages.
Despite these challenges, the distillery continues to thrive today. However, it’s not just the turbulent history that makes Kilbeggan notable. The grounds are regularly visited by paranormal activity. Visitors report seeing the ghostly figure of a monk clad in black, as well as the apparitions of Matthias McManus and his son John. John McManus’s death was far from peaceful, as he was executed in 1798 for his involvement in the United Irishman’s rebellion.
2. Château de Brissac
The Château de Brissac, a stunning Baroque estate, is located just south of Angers in France. It holds the distinction of being the tallest château in the country. Originally built by the Counts of Anjou in the 11th century, it is now owned by Charles-André de Cossé-Brissac, the 14th Duke of Brissac, who also runs the property as a vineyard.
Although it was initially constructed as a medieval castle, the estate underwent a significant renovation during the 15th century. This was also the century in which a notorious double murder took place on the grounds. Charlotte de Brézé’s affair with another man led to her husband, Jacques de Brézé, murdering the two lovers in a fit of jealousy. The haunting spirit of the Green Lady, believed to be Charlotte’s ghost, is said to wander the château. At first, she appears as a beautiful woman, but a closer inspection reveals her to be a shambling, eyeless corpse.
1. Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery, located in Frankfort, Kentucky, is one of the oldest and most renowned bourbon distilleries in the United States. Founded in 1792, it has built a strong reputation over the centuries. During Prohibition, the distillery was granted a special permit to produce whiskey, claiming that it was for medicinal purposes. Its long history and resilience through tough times make it a key part of Kentucky’s bourbon legacy.
Legend has it that Colonel Albert B. Blanton, the former president of the company, remains steadfast in ensuring the distillery's craftsmanship endures beyond his time. His ghost is frequently spotted roaming the distillery warehouse, with lights flickering and disembodied footsteps often heard. To make the haunting even more unusual, some have claimed to hear advice on brewing whispered from behind them, with no one in sight.
