Crafting Spirits with Passion & Precision
Discover the Finest Handcrafted Spirits, Distilled with Care and Tradition.
Since 2018
Groton earned the title "Submarine Capital of the World" after the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics built dozens of submarines there during World War II, including the launch of the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, in 1954. Today, Groton is a regional hub for commerce, industry, and tourism, known for its rich maritime history and historic sites.
The Shepaug Valley Railroad Ran From Litchfield County to New York City. Dark Water Distillery Produced Silver, Steel and Granite.
Tour
Our Distillery Was Founded With a Passion for Creating Exceptional Spirits That Embody the Essence of Quality and Dedication.
Every Bottle We Produce is a Testament to Our Dedication to the Craft of Distilling.
1. Our Craftsmanship
2. Premium Ingredients
3. Signature Spirits
4. Unique Aging Process
From selecting premium ingredients to refining the aging process, we ensure every step contributes to a superior taste experience. Whether you prefer the warmth of whiskey, the complexity of brandies, or the smoothness of vodka, Dark Waters Distillery has something to captivate every palate.
We’re more than just a distillery—we’re creators of timeless flavors, bridging tradition with bold innovations. Our aim is to explore new horizons in the world of spirits while staying rooted in the heritage of fine distillation.
We Believe in Quality Over Quantity
By producing our spirits in small batches, we ensure precision and attention to detail, allowing for an unparalleled drinking experience in every bottle.
At Dark Waters Distillery, we are committed to sustainable practices. From sourcing eco-friendly ingredients to minimizing our carbon footprint, we strive to make a positive environmental impact.
Products
The products are not in any stores yet only available in the tasting room on premises.
journey
Growth & Evolution
From breaking ground to hosting a grand opening that marked the beginning of our commitment to providing exceptional wine experiences.
2018
The Art of Distilling
We blend time-honored techniques with modern innovation to craft spirits of exceptional quality.
2020
From Grain to Glass
Our commitment to quality starts with the finest locally sourced ingredients.
2022
Our Signature Spirits
Discover our collection of handcrafted spirits, each uniquely designed to offer a distinct flavor experience.
2024
Tasting Experience
Take a guided tour of our facility, learn about our distillation process, and sample a selection of our finest spirits.
Tasting Experiences
Distillery Tours
Premium Ingredients
Signature Spirits
Where Passion Meets Precision in the World of Distilling
At Dark Waters Distillery, we are passionate about crafting premium spirits that honor the rich tradition of distilling while embracing modern innovation. Founded in 2018, our distillery is built on a foundation of quality, craftsmanship, and community.
The Story of Dark Waters Distillery
From a Young Age I Remember the Stories My Parents Would Tell of How My Family Came to America. My Great Grandfather on My Dad’s Side, Angelo Dimartino Came From Colledimacine a Small Village in Abruzzo Italy. At the Turn of the Century He Came to America Looking for a Better Way of Life. He Brought the Art of Stone Cutting, Cheese Making, Curing Meats, Wine Making, and Distilation. He Had a Strong Work Ethic. The Lines in His Face and Hands Illustrated How Tough He Really Was. Thru His Eyes Love for Family Was Strong. These Traits Were Passed Down to His Children His Grand and Great Grand Children.
My Mother Being First Generation Italian Came to America Later. On July 4th, 1954 My Maternal Grandparents Brought Their Family From Salandra Italy. A Small Town in Basilicata (Located at the Arch of the Boot of Italy) to Elis Island NY. The Opportunities America Had to Offer and the Spirit of Hard Work Made It a Perfect Union of Family and Country.
Both Sides of My Family Crossed the Dark Waters of the Atlantic to Forge a Better Life Here in America. Through the Skills of Wine Making, Gardening, and Construction, There Wasn’t Anything My Family Could Not Do, I Was Surrounded by Men Who Enjoyed to Work and Build, Women Who Were Semstresses, Homemakers, Cooks, Chefs in There Own Right. Growing Up Was a Blessing We Did Not Have Much but We Valued Love of Family and Education.
Each Year in the Fall Grapes Would Be Harvested and Wine Would Be Made. Back in the Time of Prohibition My Great Grandfather Would Also Distill for a Little Extra Money. After Winemaking the Skins and Pulp Would Be Refermented and Distilled Into Grappa. Nothing Went to Waste. The Art of Distillation Was Passed Down From My Great Grandfather to My Dad, but It Took My Mother to Pass It to Me. One Christmas She Bought Me a Small Still to Make Grappa. She Saw the Spark in My Eyes and Encouraged Me to Continue to Distill.
Dark Waters Distillery Was Born From That Encouragement.
My Love for Science Paved a Path for Me to Receive a BS in Biology and a DDS in Dentistry. I Came to Groton Ct and for the Past 30 Plus Years I Treated Patients at Bridgeworks Family Dental. Every Fall I Would Head Back to the Hudson Valley and Help Make Wine, as Time Went on I Started to Make Wine in Ct Where I Would Experiment and Create Award Wining Wines. The Passion for Distillation Was Next. After Many Classes in the Art of Distillation I Decided to Start My Own Boutique Distillery and Tasting Bar.
Dark Waters Distillery is a Marriage of Old World Traditions With New Age Technology. We Are Purvayors of Fine Spirits. Come Experience Our Fine Gins, Whiskies, and Fruit Brandies. You Will Have a Better Understanding of What Distillation is All About!
Cheers Vince Antonelli
The Story of Dark Waters Distillery
From a young age I remember the stories my parents would tell of how my family came to america. My great grandfather on my dad’s side, angelo dimartino came from colledimacine a small village in abruzzo italy. At the turn of the century he came to america looking for a better way of life. He brought the art of stone cutting, cheese making, curing meats, wine making, and distilation. He had a strong work ethic. The lines in his face and hands illustrated how tough he really was. Thru his eyes love for family was strong. These traits were passed down to his children his grand and great grand children.
My mother being first generation italian came to america later. On july 4th, 1954 my maternal grandparents brought their family from salandra italy. A small town in basilicata (located at the arch of the boot of italy) to elis island ny. The opportunities america had to offer and the spirit of hard work made it a perfect union of family and country.
Both sides of my family crossed the dark waters of the atlantic to forge a better life here in america. Through the skills of wine making, gardening, and construction, there wasn’t anything my family could not do, I was surrounded by men who enjoyed to work and build, women who were semstresses, homemakers, cooks, chefs in there own right. Growing up was a blessing we did not have much but we valued love of family and education.
Each year in the fall grapes would be harvested and wine would be made. Back in the time of prohibition my great grandfather would also distill for a little extra money. After winemaking the skins and pulp would be refermented and distilled into grappa. Nothing went to waste. The art of distillation was passed down from my great grandfather to my dad, but it took my mother to pass it to me. One christmas she bought me a small still to make grappa. She saw the spark in my eyes and encouraged me to continue to distill.
Dark waters distillery was born from that encouragement.
My love for science paved a path for me to receive a bs in biology and a dds in dentistry. I came to groton ct and for the past 30 plus years I treated patients at bridgeworks family dental. Every fall I would head back to the hudson valley and help make wine, as time went on I started to make wine in ct where I would experiment and creat award wining wines. The passion for distillation was next. After many classes in the art of distillation I decided to start my own boutique distillery and tasting bar.
Dark waters distillery is a mariage of old world traditions with new age technology. We are purvayors of fine spirits. Come experience our fine gins, whiskies, and fruit brandies. You will have a better understanding of what distillation is all about!
Opening Hours
We invite you to join us on this journey and discover what makes Dark Waters Distillery truly unique.
Monday - Thursday: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Friday - Sunday: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Send Us a Message
We welcome spirit enthusiasts to visit our distillery for tastings and tours.
