At first glance, Silo Distillery feels quietly inviting. Located in Windsor, Vermont, the distillery is housed in a cozy, newly renovated barn with warm light and an open layout. It is the kind of place where nothing feels rushed. You can see the distilling process happening in real time, ask questions, and settle in without feeling like you are intruding on something exclusive or intimidating.
That sense of ease is intentional.
Erin Bell, an LGBTQ woman with deep roots in the hospitality industry, owns Silo Distillery. After years of working behind the bar and learning the rhythms of the business firsthand, Erin purchased the distillery last fall with a clear goal. She wanted to create a space that prioritizes people as much as product. From the beginning, her vision was rooted in care, community, and the belief that hospitality works best when everyone feels welcome to stay awhile.
Those values are woven into the team Erin has built. Silo is also a woman-run business, including an all-women back-of-house, with a team of talented professionals drawn to Erin’s leadership and vision. The culture she is building is collaborative, respectful, and deeply people-centered.
The space itself reflects that philosophy. Designed to feel accessible rather than precious, Silo invites guests into the process of distilling instead of keeping it behind closed doors. The open layout encourages curiosity and conversation and reinforces the idea that craft does not need to be gatekept to be taken seriously.
Erin shared that one of the most meaningful markers of success for her is when customers return. Repeat visits signal that people felt good in the space. Comfortable, respected, and genuinely welcomed. That sense of belonging is central to how Silo operates day to day.
Community-first values are not new to the distillery. During the pandemic, Silo pivoted production to make hand sanitizer. The shift helped support the local community while keeping employees working. It is an example Erin pointed to as emblematic of the business’s priorities. Responding to real needs with practical care, even when it requires adaptability.
That same mindset informs how Silo approaches pricing and accessibility. Erin was intentional about researching suppliers and setting price points that felt sustainable for the business while still being mindful of the community it serves. The goal was not exclusivity or spectacle. It was creating a space where people feel comfortable staying, returning, and making Silo part of their routine.
That intention extends beyond the bar. Inside the distillery, Erin is curating a small but growing shop filled with thoughtfully selected products for building an at-home bar. The collection is still evolving, but the vision is clear. Everything on the shelves is there for a reason. Erin seeks out local, values-aligned makers and products she is genuinely excited about. These are often items she incorporates into some of the distillery’s cocktails and mocktails herself. Much like the rest of the business, the shop is being built slowly and deliberately, guided by usefulness, quality, and care rather than excess.
Inclusivity also shows up clearly on the menu. At Silo, mocktails are treated with the same level of care as cocktails. They are not an afterthought or served in disposable cups. Visually and experientially, there is no distinction. It is a subtle but powerful signal that choosing not to drink alcohol does not mean opting out of the experience.
Beyond the bar, Erin is expanding what Silo can be. Cold brew will soon be available on tap. Guests are welcome to come in and cowork during the day. Nonprofits are encouraged to host events in the space. The distillery is designed to function as a community hub, not just a place to stop by briefly and move on.
At its core, Silo Distillery reflects Erin herself. Open, grounded, and deeply people-focused. She has spent years working in the industry, observing what makes people feel comfortable and what pushes them away. She has used that knowledge to build something that feels intentional and sustainable.
There is a sense that Silo is still becoming. Not in a flashy or overbranded way, but steadily, thoughtfully, and with care. The kind of growth that comes from trust, repeat visits, and a shared sense of belonging.
That is what makes Silo Distillery stand out. It is not just an LGBTQ-owned distillery. It is a place shaped by LGBTQ values, where hospitality is expansive, community is real, and people are invited to stay.
