Ledgerock Distillery Grows on Family Farm to Provide Spirits from their Crops

The Retzer family began their Ledgerock Distillery journey in 2014 when they started researching the whiskey production business and made the leap to start the business in January 2016 on their family farm, located at N5287 Grandview Rd., Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, which they purchased in 1997.
Ledgerock officially opened in June 2018, then expanded in March 2023 with a rick house for barrel storage and an outdoor patio area in 2025.
Jay and Heidi purchased the main farm by the distillery in 1997, a few years after they got married.
“We have always cash-cropped on the farm, and for a while, we raised steers, chickens, ducks, and turkeys,” said Heidi Retzer. “More recently, we have purchased Jay’s family farm near Ashford.”
Ledgerock has been a family-run business since its inception. They currently have one employee who is not a family member.

• Owner/Farmer: Jay Retzer
• Social Media, Marketing, Events: Heidi Retzer
• Head Distiller/Farmer: Bryce Retzer
• Outside Promotions/Marketing: Brock Retzer
• Outside Sales Rep: Kevin Shaw
“We began the distillery to vertically add value to our grain and to allow the family to stay in the agricultural industry,” said Retzer.
“People like to know where their food/drink comes from, and at our business, people can see where the ingredients are grown and the products are processed,” said Retzer. “It also allows them to meet the people who do all of this.”
“Many of the ingredients never leave the farm, with the ingredients being processed and sold an eye-shot from where they are grown,” said Retzer. “We can also educate people on agriculture since so many people are removed from them.”
“[We] add value to as much grain as possible that we grow on the farm while at the same time providing an opportunity for the next generation to stay involved with agriculture via the distillery business,” said Retzer.
Ledgerock Distillery has a good list of spirits for the customers to choose from, with the following being their best sellers.
Ledgerock Vodka (80 proof): “We use 100% corn to make this unique vodka. We triple-distill it to get it to the clean finish you will enjoy. There is also a touch of buttery sweetness, which makes it a special and unique offering,” said Retzer.
Retzer Farm Bourbon (92 proof): “[It is a] One of a kind wheated bourbon derived from grain grown in the fields surrounding the distillery on the Retzer farm. [It has a] Touch of sweetness with little aftertaste and no burn,” said Retzer.
Farm Boy Bourbon (90 proof): “Our best-selling bourbon, this is our heaviest wheated bourbon where 30% of the mash bill is wheat. [It is] Earthy sweet...All of the corn and wheat in this offering was grown on the Retzer farm in the fields surrounding the distillery,” said Retzer.
Eden North Straight Whiskey: “[This is a] Four-grain (corn, wheat, barley, and rye) whiskey released on an annual basis. This whiskey is released at cask strength,” said Retzer.
Some of the other spirit selections are as follows:
• Frost Bite Gin
• Grandview Garden Gin
• Ledgerock Corn Whiskey
• Kill Bottle
Ledgerock works with local farms in the area, including Abel Dairy Farm, Murph-Ko Farms, and Vir Clar Farms, which are key partners for the distillery.
The Retzers believe in helping the local surrounding area communities by providing a wide array of donations for community functions on a monthly basis. They work with Campbellsport FFA Alumni for Dairy Days and the car show, which is hosted at the distillery. The distillery also works with the Campbellsport Wrestling Alumni, Eden First Responders, Ledge Games, and Dairies Foundation.
“People should visit us because we are one of the true farm distilleries in the state of Wisconsin. It is a great destination if you are looking to spend a day in the country, try some great spirits, and meet our family,” said Retzer.
Ledgerock Distillery is open year-round on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.