Becoming Legacy

First comes love, then comes marriage,

then comes the baby in the baby carriage,

then comes wine in the barrel made of wood,

all the while saying…have faith, work hard, do good!

Ours is the story of family, faith, diligence, and two little beverage makers that could.

Lance and I have three kids, all in elementary school. So yes, we’re right in the middle of the beautiful chaos. Some people think we’re crazy for starting a business right now, and honestly? They’re probably not wrong. But for us, right now is the perfect time. Let’s be real, we’re all a little crazy anyway.

Everything we do is for those three humans. They’re watching. Absorbing. Learning what hard work actually looks like. They see leadership in action, our wins and failures, and what it means to put faith in a future you can’t fully see but choose to build anyway.

The entrepreneurial itch has always been in us both. It started quietly, then grew louder as life unfolded. For over a decade Lance worked as a seasoned carpenter and simultaneously as a head winemaker. Lance’s love for the craft deepened with every year he spent working in the alcohol industry. Somewhere along the way, his passion became mine. Before long, I was just as excited about wine, bourbon, and the craftsmanship behind them.

As we learned, we traveled.

Seventeen states. One road trip at a time. Picking up equipment piece by piece, barrels, tanks, presses, even our still. We drove straight through a tornado on one of those trips (true story). Along the way, we visited probably over 100 wineries and distilleries, soaking up everything we could. We asked the questions, studied processes, learned from Moonshine University, and paid attention to the details that separate good from unforgettable.

That’s where we discovered barrel thieving in Kentucky, and everything changed.

There was something raw and almost magical about it. We knew instantly: this experience needed to come home with us.

So we did the work , navigated the regulations and became the first in Michigan to bring a full barrel thieving experience to the public.

As we moved deeper into this journey, it became clear we weren’t just building a business. We were building something together…again. Lance and I are a team with opposite skill sets, and we realized our differences weren’t obstacles. They were our superpower.

Leaving what’s comfortable is scary, painful but also a little thrilling.

We weren’t interested in building something common. We wanted something exceptional. A place worth talking about. A place you want to go.

Years spent helping others build their dreams gave us invaluable experience but eventually, it was time to build our own to pour that effort back into our family. To build our legacy.

Our kids tell US how proud they are and if that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is.

They’re learning what DIY, really doing it yourself looks like. Rolling up your sleeves. Being the construction crew, the project managers, the winemaker, the distiller, graphic designer etc. Building something with your own hands.

Is it daunting? Maybe to some.

Do we love it? Absolutely.

This is for our family, our living legacy. Whether our kids choose to carry it forward or simply carry the lessons with them, we hope it’s something they’re proud of too.

We imagine a dozen people sitting at a bar Lance built, sipping beverages we first crafted in our kitchen, watching our dreams become reality in a community we’re honored to be part of.

That is our legacy.

And here’s the truth, you’re part of it too.

Because without people to share this with, our story, our bottles, our barrels..none of it would matter.

So come see us.

For a sip.

For a high-five.

For a barrel thieving experience.

For a hug.

For a bottle.

For a laugh.

For a celebration.

We can’t wait to show you what we’ve built—

with our own two hands.

Cheers,

Anjalie Wassink- Owner