Francesco Viola, owner of the Luca Mariano bourbon brand, unveils the site plan for the Luca Mariano distillery project on Lancaster Road he plans to construct over the next approximately 15 years. He gives a speech on himself, his family and plans during a barrel selection ceremony on Saturday at the Viola Farm. The event also consisted of food, drinks and music. - Photo by Olivia Mohr
Pictured is the overall current site plan for the planned Luca Mariano distillery project planned on Lancaster Road. There is a numbered legend to the right showing where the following are planned to be: primary entrance, service access, rickhouses, distillery facility, bottling facility, chocolate factory, greenhouse complex, private residence entrance, main private residence, guest private residence, parking, expanded pond, ampitheater, village, existing barns to remain and an orchard. This project is planned to come to fruition in the next approximately 15 years and will require zone changes and other requirements. - Photo by Olivia Mohr
Viola signs autographs following the event. His son and the distillery’s namesake Luca Mariano also signed autographs, as did his daughter. - Photo by Olivia Mohr
Workers for the planned Luca Mariano Distillery served pulled pork sandwiches with barbecue sauce, macaroni and cheese, seasoned potatoes and cake at the event. For drinks, they served craft cocktails, beer and, after founder Francesco Viola gave a speech about the distillery project, bourbon shots. - Photo by Olivia Mohr
There was a pig roast for the ceremony on the rainy Saturday. Attendees had shelter under a tent. - Photo by Olivia Mohr
A list of signature cocktails available at the event. -Photo by Olivia Mohr
On Saturday, Francesco Viola, owner of the Luca Mariano bourbon brand, shared the site plan for the Luca Mariano distillery project on Lancaster Road at a barrel selection ceremony. This is expected to be an approximately 15-year distillery project, should it all come to fruition.
Not only would the project include a distillery operation, bottling facility and rickhouses but also a chocolate factory, a village, an orchard and other amenities.
Video 1
Viola introduces himself and shares some of his plans.
Email newsletter signup
Video 2
Watch part of Viola’s speech, during which he shares some history of the property along Lancaster Road.