Get a Micro-Distillery Up & Running
Donation protected
I am Lee Foster Fuqua, a lifelong resident of Dallas, Texas. I studied winemaking in France, Italy, California and Texas and then started FUQUA Winery in 2006. We produced handcrafted, high-end wines. The winery was a critical success for 8 years. Along the way my wines won dozens of medals nationally and internationally, including many Gold and Double Gold medals.
In September 2014 I was diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic. Sad to say, that diagnosis transformed me into a winemaker who can no longer drink wine. With a passion to continue producing palate-satisfying beverages, I decided to go in another direction—spirits. I applied for all the various government permits needed to operate a boutique distillery, planning to use most of the same equipment from the winery along with a recently acquired still to complete the equipment needs.
Unfortunately, an unforeseen three-and-a-half month delay in securing the local signature for the permits cost us more than $10,000 in cash and many times that amount in lost sales in November, December, January & February. We had planned to have no income for three months while we were getting everythning up and running. We even had an extra month of buffer for unplanned delays, but we never dreamed on there being a seven-and-a-half month gap before we had some money coming in. So I am seeking a small infusion of capital to get the distillery up and running at full speed.
Many of you know that Julia has been our simi-automatic labeling machine for 8 years, but it is now time to give her a break. We had the necessary $2,395 for a modest simi-automatic labeling machine until the delay. Unfortunately, the money we had for it had to go for overhead during the unexpected three-and-a-half month delay.
And the rent goes on. Then there is electricity, insurance, permits & fees, raw ingredients, etc. The list is long.
In appreciation for your participation, I am offering discounts on any purchases at the distillery’s Dallas tasting room. Contribute $10 or more and get a permanent 5% discount. Contribute $100 or more and get a permanent 10% discount. Contribute $1,000 or more and get a permanent 20% discount—and a big hug.
Thank you for your time and your consideration. Cheers!
In September 2014 I was diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic. Sad to say, that diagnosis transformed me into a winemaker who can no longer drink wine. With a passion to continue producing palate-satisfying beverages, I decided to go in another direction—spirits. I applied for all the various government permits needed to operate a boutique distillery, planning to use most of the same equipment from the winery along with a recently acquired still to complete the equipment needs.
Unfortunately, an unforeseen three-and-a-half month delay in securing the local signature for the permits cost us more than $10,000 in cash and many times that amount in lost sales in November, December, January & February. We had planned to have no income for three months while we were getting everythning up and running. We even had an extra month of buffer for unplanned delays, but we never dreamed on there being a seven-and-a-half month gap before we had some money coming in. So I am seeking a small infusion of capital to get the distillery up and running at full speed.
Many of you know that Julia has been our simi-automatic labeling machine for 8 years, but it is now time to give her a break. We had the necessary $2,395 for a modest simi-automatic labeling machine until the delay. Unfortunately, the money we had for it had to go for overhead during the unexpected three-and-a-half month delay.
And the rent goes on. Then there is electricity, insurance, permits & fees, raw ingredients, etc. The list is long.
In appreciation for your participation, I am offering discounts on any purchases at the distillery’s Dallas tasting room. Contribute $10 or more and get a permanent 5% discount. Contribute $100 or more and get a permanent 10% discount. Contribute $1,000 or more and get a permanent 20% discount—and a big hug.
Thank you for your time and your consideration. Cheers!
Organizer
Lee Foster Fuqua
Organizer
Dallas, TX