Nashville, Tenn. — Fawn Weaver, the founder and CEO of the prominent Tennessee whiskey brand Uncle Nearest, has been terminated from the company along with her husband, Keith Weaver, a co-founder.
The move, detailed in a July 10 court filing, was made by the court-appointed receiver overseeing Uncle Nearest. The terminations were backdated to June 1, 2026.
Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver Fired Amid Company’s Ongoing Legal and Financial Turmoil
The receiver noted that while the decision was difficult, it has “resulted in significantly less confusion among employees and vendors, and has made business operations significantly smoother.”
Background on the Receivership
Uncle Nearest has been under the control of a court-appointed receiver since August 2025, following a lawsuit filed by lender Farm Credit Mid-America. The company reportedly owes more than $200 million in debt.
The receivership was established after allegations of default on substantial loans. The company and its related entities, including Nearest Green Distillery and real estate holdings, have faced significant financial challenges, including a plummeting global spirits market, distributor shifts, and extensive litigation.
Recent Developments and Sale Efforts
In a recent filing, the receiver reported signing a non-binding letter of intent to sell substantially all of the company’s assets — including Uncle Nearest, its real estate holdings, and the Nearest Green Distillery — to an African American-owned investment firm. Any sale would require approval from a federal judge.
The receiver described the past quarter as “exceedingly challenging,” citing excessive litigation, government investigations, and market pressures. Despite these hurdles, progress has been made:
- Sale of property on Martha’s Vineyard for $2.59 million.
- Identification of a buyer for vineyards in France.
- Ongoing negotiations for the core business assets.
The filing also mentions ongoing investigations by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the Securities and Exchange Commission, with the receivership team cooperating fully.
Looking Ahead
Remaining tasks include evicting two restaurants connected to Keith Weaver from the Nearest Green Distillery property in Shelbyville, Tenn., where rent has gone unpaid for about a year.
The receiver expressed optimism that the brand has a viable future under new ownership, stating that “a buyer of these assets can rehabilitate this brand with an infusion of new capital and more disciplined financial and operational leadership.”0
This story is developing as the company navigates its path through receivership and potential sale.