JAMES CITY-Williamsburg Winery recently announced changes to its leadership.
The winery’s board of directors appointed Dr. Michael Weatherly as the new chief executive officer. Weatherly succeeds Patrick Duffeler, the winery’s founder, as CEO. He began his new role on May 15.
Weatherly has more than 20 years of experience in various fields, including sports, hospitality, and government. He and his wife, Cierra, own Skyline Meadows Farm in the Shenandoah Valley, where his wife established Ecco Adesso Vineyards in 2021.
“This succession is forty years in the making,” said Duffeler in a release. “I am honored to leave the next chapter of The Williamsburg Winery to Michael. A more dedicated, equipped, and deserving candidate does not exist and I have complete confidence that the Williamsburg Winery will flourish under his leadership.”
Additionally, it was announced that Michael A. Kokolis has been named the winery’s new chief operating officer.
Kokolis, who assumed the position in April, joined Williamsburg Winery after five years with the hospitality company Gold Key PHR. In his previous role, Kokolis was instrumental in the reopening of the Historic Cavalier Hotel & Beach Club in Virginia Beach in 2018 as well as the opening of the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront in 2020 and the opening of the new Embassy Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront in February 2023.