We’ve got an awesome local crew working on this 1,900 square feet building that will soon become the distillery’s stillhouse #1.

This stillhouse will allow us to test formulas and processes, train people, host meetings and workshops and serve as transition space for the main facility. Stillhouse #1 should be complete in April. Right about when it’s as uncomfortable as it can get to cook a batch of moonshine should be about when we’re ready.

Sometime before the stillhouse is built it’s planting time on Short Mountain. It takes a farmer’s instinct to know just the right time to plant and good old American muscle to get it done. We’re 19 days away from Spring, and there’s about 7 acres of organic corn we’ve got to get planted if we’re going to cook it this year.  Wait until you see the mule team we’re fueling up to plant our corn.

Architect Marcus Dipietro and Short Mountain Distillery CEO Billy Kaufman on a conference call with David Pickerell

It would take you a few hours to walk the nearly five mile perimeter of Billy Kaufman’s 300 acre farm on Short Mountain near Woodbury in Cannon County. By the time you’re sitting on the porches of Short Mountain Distillery with friends and family, we will probably have walked that a few times over.

This weekend, Marcus Dipietro came out to walk some of the farm with Billy and me to begin looking for the perfect spot to build the distillery. As we walked the land, our conversation turned to our team’s foundational values and how the distillery design can best express those values for generations to come.

The Golden Rule, community, heritage, stewardship, craftsmanship, and our connection to the land. These are some of the core values and archetypes of the dream unfolding here, and we aim to make it a testament to a way of life that makes America strong.

The first week of 2011 has kept us busy up here on Short Mountain, and we are so fortunate to have you come along with us as we build something very special.

We probably won’t say it nearly enough, but y’all are rocking our Facebook! It’s humbling to see our community grow each and every day. Here’s a little update from the past week just for you.

TEAM: Earlier this week, Billy Kaufman and I traveled to the Maker’s Mark Lounge in Louisville, KY to taste the differences between world class bourbons with former Maker’s Mark Master Distiller David Pickerell (photo).

We are very pleased to announce David has joined our team to help us get up and running. David brings years of experience and wisdom to the growing craft spirits industry and recently helped re-establish George Washington’s historic distillery at Mt. Vernon.

LOGO: We selected our logo from several very good candidates. You’ll see this more and more in different formats, but keep an eye out for it on a “Future Home Of” sign just off of Short Mountain Rd. very soon.

ARCHITECT: Speaking of future homes, we’re very excited to announce the selection of Marcus Dipietro as the distillery’s architect. Marcus was one of three extremely qualified candidates who visited the farm over the past couple of months. We can’t wait to share some of the first renderings of what the facility will look like.

(AUTHOR NOTE: the following is a repost I wrote while working on a 13th District Virginia House of Delegates race in 2005 – read comments here)

You never know who you’re gonna meet when you knock on hundreds of doors throughout the 13th District. Sometimes you come across old friends. Sometimes you meet new ones. But today, I knocked on a very special door.

As I approached the house, one of the first things I noticed was a “Bob Marshall” bumper sticker on a truck in the drive way. It was the first time I had seen one, but I’ve seen my share of “W” bumper stickers in driveways and found their owners very pleasant and eager to learn more about Bruce. One thing about an eagerness for change in the 13th district is its bipartisan nature.

The closer I got to the door, the more I realized something about this particular house that I later confirmed online. This was the home of our opponent.

I had spoken on the phone a couple of times with Bob, but I had never been to Bob Marshall’s house. Bob lists his home as his Prince William County office. I’m not sure how comfortable I’d be paying my delegate a visit with a huge “No Trespassing” sign on the steps. I’ve never really seen a “No Trespassing” sign on property listed as the public office of a delegate before, but you learn something new everyday in a campaign.

As I rang the doorbell, I thought to myself, “What am I going to say?” It was as though I felt I needed to say something other than what I say at all the doors.

“Bruce is a 20 year retired firefighter here in Prince William County. He teaches at George Washington University. He’s served his country, and now wants to serve you in the House of Delegates.”

No answer. So, I left our calling card just to let them know we were sorry we missed them and look forward to representing ALL of the people of the 13th District in the Virginia House of Delegates.