Michael McDaniel had been brewing beer for 15 years when he walked up to William Dodson Jr. in church last September to tell him he wanted to start making whiskey.
Coincidentally, Dodson had been thinking about opening a distillery for 10 years. The pair has been working since September to achieve their goal, and have finally secured a spot to make it happen.
Williamsburg Distillery, a new craft distillery estimated to produce 20,000 bottles in its first year, is predicted to be up and running in three to five months on Merrimac Trail in James City County.
Equipment is already being installed at the site, and Dodson has contracted crops from a Virginia corn grower. Dodson and McDaniel, the distillery’s president and vice president, respectively, plan on using colonial recipes to brew the craft liquor.
The distillery, which will have a small gift shop and tasting area, will start out offering white rum and white whiskey and will expand into aged libations and other liquors down the road.
Dodson and McDaniel, who live in Gloucester, have day jobs and both intend on keeping them while they work to launch the distillery. Dodson is an endodontist with a background in aeronautical engineering, and McDaniel is a former tugboat captain working as a maritime instructor.
Though the pair’s work history does not include distilling, both have experience. McDaniel has been brewing beer for about 15 years, and he and Dodson have visited every distillery in the state and aided in making a few batches of liquor.
The men hope to create a new tourism industry in the area, while expanding on the craft beer and wine industry that is already here.
Dodson and McDaniel are also aware Copper Fox has purchased property to open another distillery in the City of Williamsburg.
“The more the merrier,” McDaniel said. “I think it’s going to be a great thing.”
In addition to the warehouse location, Dodson and McDaniel plan on launching a living history distilling experience at Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County. The site will offer a hands-on opportunity to guests about 10 times per year, and is planned to produce about 1,000 bottles annually.
A preliminary plan for the Merrimac Trail location received support from James City County staff in May, and no special county approval is needed for the distillery to open. Before it begins production however, Dodson and McDaniel need to obtain a permit from the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.
