Birdseye Hollow Farm and Distillery is a hot spot for Live Music in the FLX
by Bill Collmer, Sun Senior Staff Writer
HAMMONDSPORT NY – One of Hammondsport’s newest hot spots, Birdseye Hollow Farm and Distillery began as a maple syrup farm, harvesting sap from their own maple trees and turning it into small batches of syrup using time-honored practices. That foundation still shapes everything they create today. Their maple syrup isn’t just part of their history—it’s infused directly into their spirits.
Their sugar shack itself tells that story. It was built to serve generations of sugaring seasons; And it has weathered years of hard work. One of their newer projects is thoughtfully updating the sugar shack while preserving its original structure, character, and history. These updates will allow them to continue producing high quality maple syrup while still honoring the craftsmanship and tradition that came before them. Their commitment to excellence and sustainability is evident in every sip.
The Birdseye family and their staff invite you to step inside their warm, welcoming atmosphere, reconnect with nature, and experience the place where Birds Eye Hollow began and continues to grow.
Birdseye Hollow Farm and Distillery is located deep in the woods in the heart of Hammondsport, New York and is a family-owned operation, owned by Steve Ferris. Ferris sustainably harvested the sweetest maple syrup from his sugar maple trees to produce the purest, richest product possible using not only traditional but also modern methods. Over the past several years, Birdseye Hollow has grown into much more than just a farm and distillery, it’s become a place for people to gather, connect and enjoy thoughtfully crafted products. With the addition of their distillery, seasonal cocktails and live music, they continue to grow while staying true their deep roots.
When Suzamie and Steve Ferris first purchased the 75 Acre property and cabin there was no electric, sewer or water it was just going to be a hunting cabin. As time went on Ferris decided to get the maple syrup production up and running again. His friend Zac Devoe was the inspiration behind that. After going from just a few taps Ferris rebuilt the sap lines to about 1900 taps and counting. Birdseye family member Ryan Lawson holds everything together.
“It was all fun and games, I decided to do a cool bourbon bottle with a nice label, Bill Hutches of Works design Group made it for me, and Just for fun we bottled and started selling it at some of the local wineries. One day after bow hunting, I came out of the woods, and a great feeling of peace and calmness fell over my body. I said I need to share this, so we came up with a plan, Bill Hutches, my wife Dr. Suzamie Farnsworth and I said Hey let’s build a small distillery, and we did and it ended up being much, much larger than we anticipated.,” Steve Ferris said.
Ferris and his crew built the distillery cutting and using the timber from the property.
Lauren Sprague is the tasting room Manager at Birdseye Hollow, Sprague started out as just a bartender when they originally opened. She’s been there since day one, but just bartending turned into scheduling and booking musicians for Live music, doing the social media, ordering inventory for the bar, helping distribute their spirits, scheduling other employees and so on until becoming the tasting room manager.
Live Music has become a staple of Birdseye Hollow; they have Live Music year-round on Saturdays and Sundays and have Live Music every Friday night during the busy summer months. They have both an outdoor and indoor stage for Musicians to perform. They have quietly become a hot spot for Live Music in Steuben County.
“The idea of the distillery was a place for people to express their music, Art, Dancing and whatever other talents to express themselves. Maybe someday we will have it available for an artist retreat. What makes Birdseye special, is not me, Bill, or my wife, its the people that work there. It is all of us, everyone bringing the positive energy. It’s the customers, it’s the friends and new friends that have helped create it,” Ferris said
Sprague is also a big fan of live Music and a big contributor to the Live Music featured at Birdseye Hollow.
“My love for music comes from growing up listening to music and going to concerts with friends. Living in a small town there wasn’t much to do but drive around and listen to music. I love all different genres of music and love listening to live music and seeing the community it builds and brings together. I’ve seen so many different people come through the doors of the distillery, but they all have a love for live music, it’s beautiful!” Lauren Sprague said.
Many of the Musicians come from all over the state to play at Birdseye Hollow and some that haven’t played there yet want to play there because of the beautiful location.
“I’ve found most of the bands for Birdseye by word of mouth. Or by them reaching out to us either by calling or email. In the early days I would look at what bands were playing at other distilleries or wineries and look into them but lately we have more than enough people reaching out to play here which is really cool,” Sprague said.
Sprague has had a lot of positive experiences working at Birdseye Hollow.
“One of my favorite parts about working at Birdseye is the people I’ve met and the relationships I’ve made with people. We truly have amazing people that support us, regulars, and even the people that are just coming from out of town because they heard about it through a friend. The connections I’ve gotten to make with people is, and the stories i’ve gotten to hear are one of a kind. I’m also still in disbelief at how many people travel from all over to visit our distillery in the middle of the woods, they come from all over, it’s incredible,” Sprague said
The location for Birdseye Hollow Farm and Distillery is something everyone talks about who visits.
“There is truly something special about the land and entire environment that has created this wonderful spot in the world,” Ferris added.
One of the most popular figures at Birdseye Hollow is Jimbo the cat.
“Jimbo the distillery cat is always making us, and the customers laugh, people love him and honestly come to see him 50% of the time. He’s a vocal boy who basically runs the place,” Sprague said.
Birdseye Hollow not only makes and sells their own Maple Bourbon they now sell their own Lavender Vodka. Infused with local lavender from Lavender crest farms in Penn Yan, NY. Next week they are also bottling their acerum. Which is a rum made completely from maple sap/syrup.
They make a variety of Fresh Homemade Pizza’s and soft Pretzels for Food options.
What started out as a cabin in the woods has turned into a very successful business, Birdseye Hollow produces and sells about 600 gallons of syrup a year and it’s still growing. Ferris wasn’t sure how much liquor they sell a year. They sell their syrup all over the country and South Africa.
What’s the secret to their success?
“I don’t know exactly what success is, if people love the product and the venue, I guess that is what success is. I guess I’m Just trying to do the right thing,” Ferris said
If you haven’t been to 8398 County Road 96 in Hammondsport yet, it’s recommended that you make the trip. They’re open daily from 12 p.m.-8 p.m. With Live Music on Friday nights and Saturday and Sunday Afternoons.
Birdsey Hollow Music lineup
6/12 The County Line Boys 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
6/13 States Apart 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
6/14 Brad Allison 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
6/19 Fresh Vintage 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
6/20 Strat Cat Willie & The Strays 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
6/21 Vintage Lane 3 p.m-6 p.m.
6/26 Brad Ordway 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
6/27 Meg Williams 3 p.m-6 p.m.
6/28 Pat & Owen Duo 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
More pictures available on Website & Facebook Page
Birds Eye Hollow Farm and Distillery
