Plans call for distilling two to three times a week, initially making 1,000 cases of spirits in the first year and ultimately producing 7,000 cases a year. By comparison, Death’s Door Spirits in Middleton has a capacity to make 100,000 cases a year, said Mleziva, who worked at Death’s Door for six moths to learn more about the industry. Mleziva is also getting assistance from Mark Anunson, who will serve as production manager and previously worked at Few Spirits in Evanston, Illinois.

“We connected several years ago and when he and his wife moved to town, we decided to work together in this endeavor,” Mleziva said. “And while he isn’t a financial partner, I absolutely see him as a partner in this project. Mark has been extremely helpful in helping me to get this dream started.”

Mleziva began looking for investors in the project over a year ago. He currently has 22 investors in the project with each buying a minimum of 100 shares at $125 each. Mleziva also has a small business loan through First National Bank of Waunakee. He spent months looking for a location before hiring Cresa Madison, a corporate real estate firm, to help find a suitable spot.