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Cover Crops
Protecting and enriching soil
Established 2015 — Saskatchewan
Our Story
The Spirit of Agriculture
A Farm. A Desire. A Distillery.
Black Fox co-owners John Cote and Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote have earned global acclaim for their philosophy and practice of agriculture. Both fifth-generation farmers, the couple have studied and consulted on five continents and are alumni of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers program, Canadian Agricultural Lifetime Leadership program and the prestigious Nuffield Canada.
In the years before their vision of an on-farm distillery were brought to life, Barb and John owned a grain farm in rural Saskatchewan. As their appreciation for terroir deepened, so, too, did a desire to apply their skills in a way that would bring them closer to the consumer. From this, Black Fox was born.
Located just outside of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in the heart of the Canadian prairies, Black Fox Farm and Distillery is now among the country’s most well-known and well-respected craft distilleries. Acres of fresh fruit, flowers, and grains are harvested and distilled into whisky, gin, and liqueurs that tell a story of terroir and commitment to excellence.
The name was inspired by a black fox—a creature seldom seen but impossible to ignore—that took up residence one summer at the couple’s original grain farm. A symbol of cunning and craft, the black fox has, today, become synonymous with quality, character, and innovation.
From the beginning, we have been driven by a desire to connect with our customers, crafting products that link the soil on which they were grown to the people who enjoy it. It is our passion and our privilege to do this work. Near or far, we hope every experience you share with Black Fox fosters connection—to the soil, the self, and each other.
John & Barb
Traditionally Crafted, with a Twist
Few distillers combine agriculture and distilling the way we do.
We do this not to prove that we can, but to deliver the best possible products and experiences for our customers.
Because we grow so many of our ingredients on our farm, we know what they’ve been through. This allows us to make choices and combine flavours with precision and intention.
Single origin and small batch is not a wish—it’s our promise. Every bottle sold under the Black Fox name has been fermented and distilled by us, for you, at our distillery.
We achieve our signature flavours and quality through our tools, techniques, and terroir. Using grains-in distilling, we capture the character, tenacity of the land, and its bounty by distilling these ingredients using our custom German Kothe hybrid copper pot still.
Our Terroir
At Black Fox, every bottle begins on our Saskatchewan farm. More than a place on a map, it is the foundation of our spirits and the source of their unmistakable character.
Terroir is the expression of place—the unique combination of soil, climate, landscape, and people that shapes every harvest. While the term is most often associated with wine, it is equally fundamental to the way we grow, distill, and mature our spirits.
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian prairies, our farm benefits from fertile soil, locally grown grain, abundant sunshine, clean air, and pure water. Together, these natural elements create exceptional ingredients before distillation even begins.
Life on the prairie is defined by extremes. Hot summers, bitterly cold winters, and dramatic seasonal shifts influence everything from our crops to the way our whisky rests and our spirits mature.
Many distilleries can claim great grain or a unique climate, but it is the combination of people, place, and nature found only at Black Fox that makes our spirits truly one of a kind. Every bottle is a reflection of our farm, our land, and our home.
Sustainability
Sustainability isn't a single initiative, it's a philosophy that shapes every decision we make. From the field to the bottle, we believe exceptional spirits should be crafted with equal respect for the land that makes them possible.
As stewards of our farm, we're committed to leaving it healthier for future generations. By caring for our soil, conserving natural resources, and embracing thoughtful farming practices, we help create a more resilient and biodiverse environment.
Environmental responsibility is woven throughout our production process. From ingredient cultivation and distillation to packaging and transportation, we continually look for ways to reduce our impact while maintaining the highest standards of quality.
Our distillery was designed with efficiency in mind. Today, we reuse nearly 95% of our water, return spent grain and fruit to our orchards and flower fields as nutrient-rich compost, and use environmentally conscious cleaning solutions wherever possible.
For us, sustainability isn't just about protecting the environment, it's about ensuring our farm, our community, and our craft can thrive for generations to come.
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Minimum Tillage Practices
Reducing soil disturbance
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Crop Rotation
Building healthier fields
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State-of-the-Art Drip Irrigation Systems
Maximizing water efficiency
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Bio-Filtration System for Runoff Water
Naturally filtering runoff
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Mulch System for Planting
Conserving moisture naturally
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Composting
Returning nutrients naturally
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Waste Stream Management
Minimizing production waste
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Nutrient Management
Optimizing soil fertility
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Habitat Management
Supporting local biodiversity