A New York property where a mobster ran a moonshine business during Prohibition is now on the market for $5.5 million — and he may have buried treasure worth millions on the land

Maria NoyenJul 29, 2023, 18:15 IST

Harvest Homestead sits on 343 acres of land.Courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

The owner of a New York distillery bought it after learning of its murky Prohibition-era backstory.
He said the land was used for an illegal moonshine operation by mobster Dutch Schultz in the 1930s.

A modern barn that's home to a distillery 2 hours north of New York City has hit the market for $5.5 million.

The property is located in Pine Plains in Upstate New York.Google Maps, Houlihan Lawrence

Schlein got to know the murky backstory of the land through Adams, whose grandfather worked as an errand boy when the site was used to make illegal moonshine in the 1930s.

The property was once home to an illegal bootlegging operation.Courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

Schlein got to know the murky backstory of the land through Adams, whose grandfather worked as an errand boy when the site was used to make illegal moonshine in the 1930s.

During an FBI raid, roughly 2,000 gallon stills, 10,000 pounds of sugar, and 1,000 gallons of moonshine were reportedly uncovered in a network of bunkers and tunnels.

The bunkers were excavated and renovated in the 2010s.Courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

But the officers couldn't destroy the bunkers and tunnels themselves, which Schlein was able to resurrect.

There are over 2,000-square-feet of bunkers below the modern building.Courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

What's more, the illegal distillery was operated by a legendary American gangster, who is rumored to have left treasure buried somewhere on the land, Schlein said.

A mugshot of the American gangster Arthur "Dutch Schultz" Flegenheimer taken in 1935.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Schlein said he was determined to reinstate Schultz's moonshine-making operation — but legally this time.

The modern moonshine distillery.Courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

Schlein's distillery produced sugar-wash moonshine, which is almost like vodka, he said.

The Dutch gable-style barn is connected to the old bunkers and tunnels.Courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

Though he didn't have a background in alcohol production, Schlein couldn't help but be drawn into the history of the land.

The bar and moonshine tasting area.Courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

Nods to the past are sprinkled around the property, including a portrait of Schultz in the tasting room.

A portrait of Dutch Schultz hangs on the property.Courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

One of Schlein's favorite spots is a balcony off one of the parlors that provides sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.

Weddings have been held at Harvest Homestead.Courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

And while Schlein is proud that he brought Harvest Homestead back to life, he said he's ready for a new owner to continue Schultz's legacy.

The property sits on over 340-acres of pristine farmland.Courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence

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A New York property where a mobster ran a moonshine business during Prohibition is now on the market for $5.5 million &mdash; and he may have buried treasure worth millions on the land

A modern barn that's home to a distillery 2 hours north of New York City has hit the market for $5.5 million.

Schlein got to know the murky backstory of the land through Adams, whose grandfather worked as an errand boy when the site was used to make illegal moonshine in the 1930s.

During an FBI raid, roughly 2,000 gallon stills, 10,000 pounds of sugar, and 1,000 gallons of moonshine were reportedly uncovered in a network of bunkers and tunnels.

But the officers couldn't destroy the bunkers and tunnels themselves, which Schlein was able to resurrect.

What's more, the illegal distillery was operated by a legendary American gangster, who is rumored to have left treasure buried somewhere on the land, Schlein said.

Schlein said he was determined to reinstate Schultz's moonshine-making operation — but legally this time.

Schlein's distillery produced sugar-wash moonshine, which is almost like vodka, he said.

Though he didn't have a background in alcohol production, Schlein couldn't help but be drawn into the history of the land.

Nods to the past are sprinkled around the property, including a portrait of Schultz in the tasting room.

One of Schlein's favorite spots is a balcony off one of the parlors that provides sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.

And while Schlein is proud that he brought Harvest Homestead back to life, he said he's ready for a new owner to continue Schultz's legacy.

A New York property where a mobster ran a moonshine business during Prohibition is now on the market for $5.5 million — and he may have buried treasure worth millions on the land