
Key points:
- The distillery and tasting room project was officially started on February 4 and is expected to open to the public by the end of 2025
- Heritage and Coquille-branded spirits will be produced and bottled on Tribal land and sold at the casino’s bars, restaurants and retail outlets
Heritage Distilling Company and the Coquille Indian Tribe of Oregon have broken ground on the state’s first Tribal-owned distillery and tasting room, which is expected to be opened to the public by the end of 2025.
The distillery and tasting room will be located at The Mill Casino-Hotel & RV Park in North Bend, Oregon, as both Heritage and Coquille-branded spirits will be produced and bottled on Tribal land to sell at restaurants, bars and retail outlets.
“After more than two years of planning, negotiating with the state of Oregon, and completing design work, we are thrilled to have broken ground on this historic project,” CEDCO CEO Maragaret Simpson said.
“All members of the team, including Heritage Distilling and fi architecture, have brought forth a design for a customer experience space that will be unparalleled for hundreds of miles in every direction. The completion of this project at The Mill further solidifies our casino and resort as the premier destination in the region.”
CEDCO acts as the Tribe’s venture arm which owns and operates The Mill Casino-Hotel & RV Park.
Good to know: The federal government gave the Coquille Tribe approval to move forward with a casino development project in Medford, Oregon on January 13
The project is said to feature an updated Plank House restaurant, two indoor digital golf suites and a Heritage-branded tasting room.
Jennifer and Justin Stiefel, who Co-Founded Heritage, established the Tribal Beverage Network (TBN) which serves as a first-of-its-kind partnership to develop Heritage-branded distilleries that serve guests of Tribal-owned casinos.
“We are honored to break ground on this historic project with the Coquille Tribe. This marks a significant milestone for the Tribe, the Tribal Beverage Network and Oregon’s craft spirits industry,” Heritage Co-Founder and President Jennifer Stiefel said.
“The Tribe’s commitment to economic self-sufficiency and innovation aligns perfectly with Heritage Distilling’s mission, and we are proud to stand alongside them in bringing the state’s first Tribally-Owned distillery to life. This is more than a distillery—it’s a long-term economic resource that will support the Tribe for generations to come.”
TBN members can also benefit from wholesale and retail margins and tax capture. In addition, Tribes can generate funds to support social and economic initiatives, increase employment and diversify the skillsets of its members.