Comstock Cemetery Foundation benefits from Virginia City's own Nevada-made gin spirit

For more than seven years Virginia City has been having fun with “Cemetery Gin” a Nevada-made spirit available at local saloons, bars and stores throughout Northern Nevada which celebrates a tall tale from the Comstock’s rich mining days of the 1850s.

Spearheaded by the Virginia City Tourism Commission, the gin is a product of Frey Ranch Estate Distillery, located in Fallon, Nev., where all the ingredients were grown, distilled and bottled.

In a true Old West twist, a fundraiser was developed during the 2015 Nevada Day to use a portion of the sales of the spirits to go to the Comstock Cemetery Foundation, which is charged with maintaining the integrity, history and preservation of the Comstock cemeteries located within the National Landmark.

Virginia City officials announced Tuesday that proceeds from Virginia City’s Cemetery Gin, have made an impact for the Comstock Cemetery Foundation. One dollar of each bottle of the Nevada-grown spirit is being donated to the foundation. The first check for $360 is just the start with ongoing quarterly contributions to be provided. These initial funds will be used to restore a public visitor center located at the entrance of the Silver Terrace cemeteries.

“This is a phenomenal product and we are so glad to see it come to fruition for all of Virginia City,” Candace Wheeler, executive director of the Comstock Cemetery Foundation, said. “The funds generated from sales are going to help our foundation be successful preserving these historic cemeteries for years to come. We are so grateful for the support.”

“We wouldn’t have developed this product if we couldn’t donate a portion of the funds to the Cemetery Foundation,” Deny Dotson, director of tourism for Virginia City Tourism Commission. “It’s important to us to help preserve the history of our town, and this is a fun way to do it where everybody wins.”

The Comstock Cemetery Foundation is a non-profit organization responsible for maintaining the historic cemetery lands located on the Comstock. The funds garnered from Cemetery Gin sales are used for preservation, restoration and maintenance.

For more information Cemetery Gin, visit CemeteryGin.com or call the Virginia City Tourism Commission at 775-847-7500.

Cemetery Gin is distributed through Southern Wine & Spirits and is available for purchase at the following locations:

— Archie's - 2195 North Virginia Street, Reno
— Battle Born Wine - 1448 US Highway 395, Gardnerville
— Ben's Fine Wine & Spirits -10870 South Virginia Street, Reno
— Ben's Fine Wine & Spirits - 3480 Lakeside Drive, Reno
— Bucket of Blood - 3 S C Street, Virginia City
— Comstock Creamery - 171 S C Street, Virginia City
— Gold Hill Hotel - 1540 Main Street, Virginia City
— Mark Twain Saloon - 62 S C Street, Virginia City
— Mustang Ranch Steakhouse - 5 N C Street, Virginia City
— Old Corner Bar - 12 N B Street, Virginia City
— Palace Saloon - S C Street, Virginia City
— Peppermill - 2707 South Virginia Street, Reno
— Ponderosa Saloon & Deli - 106 S C Street, Virginia City
— Raley's #102 - 2895 North McCarran Blvd, Sparks
— Raley's #106 - 701 Keystone Avenue, Reno
— Raley's #113 - 930 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village
— Raley's #114 - 3701 South Carson Street, Carson City
— Raley's #778 - 2105 West Williams Ave, Fallon
— Red Dog Saloon - 76 N C Street, Virginia City
— Red Zinnia - 111 South Taylor Street, Fallon
— Sharkey's Casino - 1440 Highway 395 North, Gardnerville
— Silver Dollar Saloon - 15 N C Street, Virginia City
— Silver Queen - 20 N C Street, Virginia City
— Southern Elevation - 710 West Williams Avenue, Fallon
— The Corner Bar - 1596 Esmeralda Ave, Minden
— The Gallery Bar - 516 Commercial Street, Elko
— The Studio on 4th - 432 East 4th Street, Reno
— Total Wine & More #1203 - 6675 South Virginia Street, Reno
— Virginia City Brewery & Taphouse - 62 North C Street, Virginia City
— Virginia City Tourism Commission - 86 S C Street, Virginia City
— Washoe Club Museum - 112 S C Street, Virginia City
— Wild River Grill - 17 South Virginia Street, Reno

A short 30-minute drive from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport takes visitors to one of the largest historic districts in the Unites States - Virginia City, Nevada. Come experience this mining “boomtown” as it was in the 1800’s. Step back in time while visiting the numerous historic buildings, saloons, churches and museums or take a mine tour or even ride a real steam train. The Comstock Adventure Passes offer the best value with discounted attraction packages. For lodging, event calendar or Comstock Adventure Passes, visit online or call 775-847-7500. The Visitor Information Center is located at 86 South C Street, Virginia City.