Eric “Digger” Manes, the rugged heart of Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners, is 61 years old in October 2025, standing at 5 feet 10 inches and weighing around 180 pounds. His net worth ranges from $800,000 to $1.2 million, fueled by a $5,000 per-episode salary from the show and ventures like Sugarlands Distilling. Married to Allison Metcalf Manes since 2004, with a son, Beck, Digger keeps dating rumors at bay, focusing on family and craft. Diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), this Tennessee moonshiner’s journey from illicit stills to legal empires embodies Appalachian grit and optimism, captivating fans searching for his age, height, weight, net worth, married status, and more.
Eric Digger Manes Biography: From Funeral Home to Moonshine Fame
Born February 20, 1964, in Newport, Tennessee, Eric “Digger” Manes grew up steeped in Smoky Mountain lore. At 14, he earned his nickname digging secret still sites, learning from a friend’s father. By 18, he was a licensed embalmer, balancing solemn days at the family funeral home with moonlit mash runs. His duality—death by day, spirits by night—shaped a man who cherishes life’s fleeting joys. “Moonshinin’s about keepin’ the old ways alive,” he shared on Moonshiners. His 2014 debut in Season 4, alongside Mark Ramsey, turned him into a fan favorite across 180+ episodes by 2025. The 2009 suicide of mentor Popcorn Sutton pushed Digger to go legit, honoring tradition legally. Explore more on the Moonshiners Wikipedia page or follow Mark and Digger on Facebook.
Digger Manes Height, Weight, and Backwoods Build
At 5 feet 10 inches and 180 pounds, Digger’s physique reflects a life hauling copper stills through Tennessee’s briars. His gray beard and glasses lend a sage-like vibe, masking the outlaw spark fans adore. In a 2025 Master Distiller episode, he judged 12-hour tastings, crediting “good genes and better ‘shine” for his stamina. Having trekked similar trails myself, I know the toll of 50-pound sugar sacks—Digger’s height and weight signal resilience, not showmanship. He’s the everyman moonshiner, relatable as a neighbor but tough as the hills.
Eric Digger Manes Net Worth and Salary: From Mash to Money
Digger’s net worth of $800,000–$1.2 million in 2025 stems from a layered income stream. He earns $5,000 per Moonshiners episode, with 16–20 episodes annually netting $80,000–$100,000. Spin-offs like Master Distiller (75 episodes since 2019) add $50,000–$75,000 yearly, plus 10% royalties from Sugarlands Distilling’s $25–$40 bottles. His 2015 Sugarlands partnership, with over 200,000 Shiners Club members, and The Back Alley Grainery (launched 2018, $150,000 in kits) boost his wealth. Industry data shows craft moonshine sales up 25% since 2020, with Digger’s brand driving trends. “We turned outlaw into opportunity,” he said. Visit Sugarlands Distilling for his products.
| Biography Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eric “Digger” Manes |
| Date of Birth | February 20, 1964 |
| Current Age (2025) | 61 years old |
| Birthplace | Newport, Tennessee, USA |
| Nickname Origin | Digging hidden still sites as a teen |
| First Moonshining Lesson | Age 14, from a family friend’s father |
| Licensed Profession | Embalmer at family funeral home |
| TV Debut | Moonshiners Season 4 (2014) |
| Episodes Appeared | Over 180 in Moonshiners (2014–2025) |
| Spin-Off Roles | Master Distiller (75 eps, 2019–2025); Tournament of Champions (2022) |
| Business Launch | Sugarlands collaboration (2015) |
| Retail Venture | The Back Alley Grainery (opened 2018) |
| Mentor’s Death | Popcorn Sutton (2009) |
| Shiners Club Members | Over 200,000 (launched post-2015) |
| Annual Episodes | 16–20 per Moonshiners season |
| Health Diagnosis | Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL, non-terminal) |
| Community Goal | Revitalizing Newport’s economy through tourism |
Is Eric Digger Manes Married? Wife, Family, and Dating Details
Digger is married to Allison Metcalf Manes, wed on June 16, 2004. At 55 in 2025, Allison runs Fruit Jar Alley, a Newport boutique selling Appalachian-inspired goods. Their son, Beck Manes (born April 2005, now 20), apprentices in Digger’s legal ventures. After Beck’s birth, Digger quit illegal runs, telling Allison, “No kid of mine lives in shadows.” Their Pigeon River cabin hosts family suppers blending mash talk and laughter. No dating gossip clouds their 21-year bond, rare in a region with 15% higher divorce rates (CDC data). “She’s my proof,” Digger puns, loyal as ever at Sugarlands events.
| Family & Relationships | Details |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married since June 16, 2004 |
| Wife’s Name | Allison Metcalf Manes |
| Wife’s Age (2025) | 55 years old |
| Wedding Location | Newport, Tennessee |
| Children | One son: Beck Manes (born April 2005) |
| Son’s Age (2025) | 20 years old |
| Family Home | Cabin in Newport, TN |
| Wife’s Business | Fruit Jar Alley boutique |
| Dating History | Private; no public rumors |
| Relationship Philosophy | “Family first, shine second” |
| Public Appearances Together | Sugarlands events, moonshine festivals |
| Influence on Career | Allison encouraged legal pivot post-Beck’s birth |
Digger Manes Salary: Breaking Down the Moonshine Money
Beyond $5,000 per episode, Digger’s salary includes $50,000–$75,000 from Master Distiller and Sugarlands royalties. Season 14’s 2025 premiere, with 2.5 million viewers, spiked his earnings 20% via endorsements like brewing kits. A 2024 Gatlinburg meet-and-greet drew 5,000 fans, netting $20,000 in signings. He reinvests in Newport, sponsoring youth programs. “Money’s like mash,” he says. “Ferment it right, it sustains.” His diversified income mirrors craft distilling’s boom, per the Distilled Spirits Council’s 25% growth data.
Health Update 2025: Facing CLL with Moonshiner Spirit
Diagnosed with CLL in 2022, Digger, at 61, manages this slow-burning cancer with targeted therapies, holding steady at 180 pounds. “Cancer’s just another revenuer,” he quipped in a Season 14 teaser. Stable markers in 2025, supported by Allison at Vanderbilt, show his fight. CLL hits 1 in 200 over 50 (American Cancer Society), but Digger’s resilience inspires. His 2025 Shiners Club fundraiser raised $50,000 for research, proving his shine heals beyond the jar. Check Discovery’s Moonshiners site for updates.
Career Timeline: Digger’s Moonshining Milestones
- 1964: Born in Newport, TN—age 0, mountain roots take hold.
- 1978: First still lesson—age 14, learns the craft.
- 1982: Becomes embalmer—age 18, balances dual lives.
- 2004: Marries Allison—age 40, family reshapes priorities.
- 2005: Beck born—age 41, ends illegal runs.
- 2009: Popcorn Sutton’s death—age 45, fuels legal shift.
- 2014: Moonshiners debut—age 50, TV stardom begins.
- 2015: Sugarlands deal—age 51, legal empire grows.
- 2018: Opens Grainery—age 54, retail takes root.
- 2019–2025: Judges Master Distiller—age 55–61, mentors new talent.
- 2022: CLL diagnosis—age 58, battles with grit.
- 2025: Season 14 airs, net worth peaks—age 61, legacy shines.
Unique Perspective: Reviving Newport, One Jar at a Time
Digger’s mission transcends TV: revitalizing Newport, a 6,500-strong town hit by opioid crises and job loss. His Grainery teaches 500 brewers yearly, injecting $2 million into tourism since 2018 (chamber estimates). “These hills birthed me,” he says. “I’ll bottle their future.” X sentiment analysis shows 70% of 2025 posts laud his authenticity—a rarity in reality TV. A Virginia distiller, inspired by Digger, boosted sales 30% in 2024 using Shiners Club tips. Fans echo: “Digger keeps heritage alive.” His age, married stability, and hustle make him a beacon. Share your thoughts below, and toast to Digger’s enduring shine.
