Bardstown Bourbon Co. Hires Executive to Build Food & Beverage Experience

Bardstown Bourbon Company - Hires Pedro Gonzalez as Director of Food & Beverage Experience

The Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky first started distillation in September 2016 during the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. In many ways, that wasn’t the end of this ambitious new bourbon whiskey project, it was only the beginning. Since then they’ve sold out their collaborative distilling program and have already doubled distillation capacity from 1.5 million proof gallons to 3 million proof gallons and are nearing completion of a second 22,500 barrel warehouse. Now they’re moving on with plans to offer a world-class restaurant and bar experience on their 100 acre campus.

Building a Restaurant Experience Team

The company has just announced the hiring of Pedro Gonzalez to lead their restaurant, whiskey and vintage spirits bar, and hospitality experience. Gonzalez was the former Executive Director of Restaurant Operations for the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The Greenbrier Resort is a National Historic Landmark and world-class resort with 710 rooms, five golf courses that sits on 10,000 acres. Prior to the Greenbrier, Gonzalez opened and managed restaurants for Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Maggiano’s of Little Italy, and The Cheesecake Factory.

“I am honored to be a part of this unique company,” said Pedro Gonzalez. “The opportunity to build a one-of-a-kind hospitality experience in ‘The Bourbon Capital of the World’ in Bardstown, Kentucky, is an exciting challenge, and one that I am thrilled to take on.”

He will be responsible for bringing to life the company’s vision for a Napa Valley-style bourbon and food experience in the center of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. They plan to open an approximately 11,000 square foot full-scale restaurant, bar and patio that will employ 20 to 25 people to start. The restaurant will incorporate food grown on its farmland, local flavors, and local bourbon culture. They will also celebrate, showcase, and sell by the drink an extensive whiskey collection, including a vintage spirits library. Recent changes in Kentucky law will allow the company to operate a full-bar that will be open to the public as well as available for corporate events and parties.

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“We are thrilled to have Pedro Gonzalez join the Bardstown Bourbon Company’s team,” said David Mandell, President & CEO of The Bardstown Bourbon Company. “Pedro Gonzalez understands the art of hospitality, and he will play a critical role in the development of our world-class food and beverage program.”