Copper Fox Distillery expanding to Williamsburg

Published December 17, 2014 by Veronica Garabelli

Sperryville-based Copper Fox Distillery announced Wednesday plans to invest more than $2 million to open a second location in Williamsburg, which is expected to create 28 jobs in the city.

Copper Fox will locate in a vacant 62-year-old motor court buildings on Capitol Landing Road, a site it bought from the city for $600,000. It will invest in site improvements, buildings, and equipment needed to renovate the nine-building motel into malting, production, aging and tasting facilities.

The company was started in 2000 by Rick Wasmund and currently sells rye and single-malt whiskies.  In addition to producing its own malts, Copper Fox will malt barley and grains on a custom basis for other distillers and craft brewers. An official opening date for the distillery has not been set.

Copper Fox received a $50,000 grant from the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund. Copper Fox also has committed to purchase 100 percent of its grains from Virginia producers.

According to the Virginia Tourism Corp. there currently are about 15 distilleries in the commonwealth, up from five distilleries in 2008.