Rick is the founder and Managing Member of Copper Fox Distillery. Rick transitioned from a career in the financial sector with the original idea of making a great American Single Malt Whisky using innovative malting and aging techniques. Their first location in Sperryville since 2005 is housed in a rustic converted cider mill. With a growing need for additional malting, distilling, and storage capacity, they purchased the former Lord Paget Motor Inn complex from the City of Williamsburg in March 2015. Rick and his wife Chelsea, daughter Camille, son Mason, and distillery dog Ginny are at home both in Sperryville and Williamsburg.

Andrew Is Co-Owner and Operator of Tarnished Truth Distilling Company and The Hunt Room Restaurant in Virginia Beach, VA. Tarnished Truth is one of them most unique distilleries in the US being located within a working 5-star hotel and producing a variety of bourbons, gin, vodka, and ready-to-drink canned cocktails. In his spare time, you can find Andrew enjoying all the outdoor opportunities that our wonderful state and city have to offer with his wife and three children.

Barry Haneberg is the Secretary / Treasurer of the Virginia Distillers’ Association. He is a co-owner of Virago Spirits, a producer of rum, gin, brandy and herbal liqueurs. A recovering academic, Barry remains an avid researcher of the history of cocktails, spirits and the art of distilling. In his free-time, Barry enjoys nothing more than spending time with his wife and twin daughters – all the more when they are able to enjoy the Virginia outdoors.

Michelle Davenport is the President of Three Crosses Distilling Co. Along with her husband John (VP), they have grown his hobby into an award-winning distillery that offers Whiskeys, Rums, Gin, Vodkas, and Moonshines. Three Crosses Distilling is located in the heart of Powhatan County, rumored to be a historic moonshining county during Prohibition.  While providing a legal product, Michelle enjoys continuing the tradition of offering a well-made Virginia spirit.

Distiller, Ironclad Distillery

Originally from Bowie, MD, Bill graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY with degrees in both Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering. He sailed briefly in the maritime industry then began a 26-year career with Stanley, Inc., a northern VA government contracting firm. Bill served as a Stanley Senior Vice President and as a member of the publicly traded company’s Board of Directors. He received his Masters degree from George Mason University in Software Systems Engineering. Bill is the Co-Founder and CEO of KO Distilling.

Allan Delmare is the distiller and founder of Dida's Distillery, a small grape-based venture added on to the family's winery, Rappahannock Cellars. Growing up and working side-by-side with his family in the vineyard instilled a lifelong passion for the wine industry. When the opportunity to explore grape distillates arose in 2014, Allan jumped at the chance and founded the distillery in 2017 and works daily in the art of crafting fine Brandy, Vodka and Gin.