Our Team

Meet our Leadership Team

Dr. Michael Weatherly

Chief Executive Officer


Meet Michael Weatherly, an accomplished individual who graduated from Virginia Wesleyan University in 2001 with a triple major in Psychology, Education, and Religious Studies. Demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning, he went on to obtain an MBA in 2005 and a Doctorate in Business Management in 2012 from the University of Phoenix.


Michael’s expertise extends across various industries, encompassing education, healthcare, tech consulting, innovation, sports, agriculture, wine, real estate, and nonprofit work. Beyond his business endeavors, he actively engages in philanthropy, particularly supporting veterans and those in need. His ownership of professional sports teams and involvement in agriculture and wine, including the establishment of Ecco Adesso Vineyards, exemplify his immersion in both the business and lifestyle aspects of these sectors.


In the summer of 2023, Michael Weatherly proudly became the CEO of The Williamsburg Winery, marking a new chapter in his diverse portfolio. This move is a result of his longstanding connection with Patrick Duffeler, further expanding his interests and ventures.


As a family-oriented traveler with a youthful spirit, Michael also serves as the Head Coach for Virginia Beach Little League. His multifaceted background reflects a passion for diverse fields, showcasing his lasting impact in academia, business, and community service.

Michael Kokolis

Chief Operating Officer


Michael A. Kokolis, a longtime hospitality executive, assumed his role as the winery’s Chief Operating Officer in April 2023. He joined the winery after spending the previous five years with one of the region’s largest hospitality companies, Gold Key PHR. During his tenure with PHR, Michael played a pivotal role in creating a brand/identity for the three hotels and eight restaurants that comprise the Cavalier Resort in Virginia Beach and was instrumental in the successful re-opening the Historic Cavalier Hotel & Beach Club in 2018, the opening of the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront in 2020, and the opening of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront in February 2023.


A native of Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kokolis is a proud graduate of Penn State University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Human Development after majoring in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management. With his rare blend of sales, analytical, and operational acumen, Kokolis has served as an advisor and speaker on cross-functional team leadership, branding & identity, and growing the profitability of revenue. 


Michael is a dedicated father to three beautiful children, a coach for youth football & baseball teams, and in his limited spare time he enjoys handyman projects, carpentry, golfing, and reading about America’s Colonial/Revolutionary history.


Stacey Lightfoot

Head Winemaker


An alumna of Stockton College with a B.S. in environmental studies and a minor in Chemistry, Stacey embarked on her career in water testing labs before joining Williamsburg Winery just before the 2006 harvest season. With her future husband, they vacationed often to Colonial Williamsburg and would visit the winery several times. One day, while visiting a small winery in Minitola, NJ, they asked for a tour only to be hosted by the winemaker, who learned of Stacey’s vocation and practically offered her a job. When they decided to make Williamsburg our forever home, Stacey applied for a job at the Williamsburg Winery right before the 2006 harvest season began, thinking it would be a fun place to work. The team was quick to hire her! With an impressive 17-year tenure, Stacey extends her gratitude for the invaluable partnership, friendship, and mentorship she has received. She eagerly anticipates continuing the legacy by creating exquisite wines for the enjoyment of all.

Patrick G. Duffeler

Founder & Chairman


Patrick Duffeler was born in Belgium of a Germanic family and educated in the United States. While earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics & Finance from the University of Rochester, New York, he embarked on his professional career at Eastman Kodak.


He later joined the international division of Philip Morris in Switzerland as Director of Marketing and Promotions. Patrick was instrumental in the development of the Marlboro World Championship Racing Team project which ushered the Marlboro brand into international motorsports, proving the value of promotional activity as a brand building mechanism. During these years, Patrick and his wife Peggy became the parents of two sons, Patrick II and Terence.


Patrick’s travels took him not only to Europe, but also Latin America, the Far East, the Middle East, and Africa. He independently became involved in the wine industry in Burgundy, France and forged relationships with many producers. Likewise, his interest in the hospitality industry burgeoned, and he had the chance to participate in a study for the development of a country hotel in Beaune, Burgundy. Both interests were the building blocks for a life-changing decision Patrick was about to make.


Patrick went on to serve as the International President of Fragrances Selective and balanced his time between two continents. In 1983, Patrick and Peggy, after an exhaustive search, purchased 300 acres of land in Williamsburg and founded The Williamsburg Winery in 1985. In 2007, his dream of a European-style Country Hotel came to fruition as the doors to Wedmore Place opened for the first time after 10 years of planning. Sadly, Peggy Duffeler, a driving force behind the business, had passed away in 2004, not surviving to witness the launch of the hotel. Nevertheless, her spirit lives on throughout Wessex Hundred.



In 2007, Patrick was married to Françoise, a native of France.



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