Welcome to Founding spirits
Know Your Farmer. Know Your Distiller.
A farmer-owned distillery? Yup. Founding Spirits is majority owned by American family farmers and their values are at the heart of our distilled spirits. Every step of the process, from grain to glass, shows our commitment to farmers, hiqh-quality ingredients, and handcrafting premium products. We have custom-built our very own micro-batch distillery in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. Led by our dynamic and adventurous duo, Jon Arroyo and Bob VanLancker, these modern-day distilling wizards are cultivating unique and tasty spirits that preserve the true flavors that come from the wheat, barley, and rye, including the North Dakota and Virginia grains from farmers we know, like Mark & Michelle Watne of Watne Farms and the late Billy Dawson’s team at Bay’s Best Feed. Our flavorful spirits can be enjoyed on their own and are equally delicious in cocktails.
We invite you to come experience our distillery and spirits for yourself. Founding Spirits distillery tours are available on Saturdays by reservation, and walk-ins are accepted pending availability. Each tour accommodates up to eight guests, and includes: six spirit tastings, a cocktail, and a few delicious bites. So come on in, take a look, have a sip (or six) of our spirits, and snack on some yummy food while learning about our approach to distilling. You can purchase a bottle to take home with you. Founding Spirits is also available online and at fine retailers across DC, Maryland, and Delaware. Be sure to ask for Founding Spirits at your favorite bar or restaurant, including enjoying Founding Spirits on site at Farmers & Distillers.
Team
These guys are talented and skilled when it comes to all things liquid. Jon Arroyo has an uncanny knack for craft cocktails and more than a decade of experience overseeing the award-winning bar & beverage program for Farmers Restaurant Group. Bob VanLancker has spent years bartending and managing bar programs and knows the difference that great spirits make. They were both drawn to distilling in pursuit of creating great cocktails and are now crafting award-winning Founding Spirits.
Learn more about Jon
Learn more about Bob
Our spirits
Founding Spirits Vodka
Made with the purest ingredients in the heart of DC by Jon Arroyo and his team, we distill our vodka with the aristocrat of wheat, Dark Northern Spring, more commonly known as Hard Red Spring Wheat. Harvested on the Watne’s family farm in North Dakota, this grain is a trademark of excellence in the world of wheat due to its high-protein and high-quality. Mark, Michelle, and their family are fourth-generation wheat, corn, barley, and soybean farmers. Mark also serves as president of the North Dakota Farmers Union. We use the ND wheat, as well as rye and barley harvested by Bay’s Best Feed in Heathsville, VA.
Find our Founding Spirits Vodka in these cocktails:
Cape Codder Spritz
Founding Spirits Vodka | Our Virginia Vines Rosé | Cold-pressed Cranberry Juice | Lime | Orange Essence | Seltzer
Sex and the City
Founding Spirits Vodka | Cointreau | Cold-Pressed Cranberry Juice | Founding Spirits Clementine Bitters
Founding Spirits Arroyo’s “Never Bitter” Amaro
Throughout his travels to South America and Europe, Jon Arroyo fell in love with digestifs and aperitifs. He made it his mission to bring the magic of the before and after dinner drink home to the U.S. While amaro can have an intimidating reputation of being too bitter, Jon and his team set out on a journey to make an approachable spirit that everyone can enjoy. Our amaro can only be described as delicious and “never bitter,” as the name suggests.
Find our Founding Spirits Arroyo’s “Never Bitter” Amaro in these cocktails:
Rosebud
Founding Spirits Arroyo's "Never Bitter" Amaro | Skol Aquavit | 'The FUNK' Jamaican Rum | Patrón Citrónge | Lemon Juice | Coca-Cola
Jungle Bird
Founding Spirits Arroyo's "Never Bitter" Amaro | Plantation Dark | Campari | Lime | Cold-Pressed Pineapple
Book a tour
Contact
You know what goes great with a tour? A reservation at Farmers & Distillers afterwards.
Reserve a Table
