Delta Dirt Distillery – Arkansas’ Only Dirt-to-Glass Distillery

Delta Dirt Distillery, located in the heart of downtown Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, stands as one of the most unique distilleries in the nation. Rooted firmly in the fertile soils of the Arkansas Delta, this family-owned operation is:

• The only dirt-to-glass distillery in the state of Arkansas
• The only Black-owned dirt-to-glass distillery in the United States

“Dirt-to-glass” means the Williams family grows the crops, harvests them, distills them, bottles them, and sells the final product — all from their own farmland just a few miles from their distillery. Their spirits are literally grown, crafted, and bottled in the Arkansas Delta.

Delta Dirt Distillery is located at:
430 Cherry Street, Helena, AR 72342

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All Delta Dirt Distillery Spirits

As of the most recent research, these are the core spirits produced by the Williams family:

1. Sweet Blend Vodka

A highly awarded vodka made from the farm’s sweet potatoes and corn. Bottled at 86 proof as a tribute to the family’s original 86-acre farm.

2. Tall Cotton Gin

A premium gin that highlights Delta-grown botanicals with a rich, earthy character tied directly back to the farm’s soil.

3. Arkansas Brown (Deep Roots Arkansas Brown)

A sweet-potato-inspired spirit drawing influence from bourbon. Aged and blended to express the terroir of the Delta with a unique twist.

4. Seasonal / Limited Releases (when available)

Delta Dirt has occasionally produced small-batch or limited bottlings tied to seasonal harvests or distillery projects.

If you ever find a special release, it is almost always extremely limited.

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The Williams Family – Four Generations of Delta Soil

The Delta Dirt story cannot be told without understanding the four generations behind it. Their journey from sharecropping to landownership to distillation is one of the most compelling in the American spirits world.

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Papa Joe Williams (Late 1800s – Early 1900s)

The story begins with Papa Joe, the family patriarch who sharecropped an 86-acre plot of land in the Arkansas Delta. This land would eventually become the foundation of the Williams family’s farming legacy.

Papa Joe represents the first generation of Williams farmers working the Delta’s famously rich soil.

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U.D. “Daddy D” Williams – The Landowner (Purchased Farm in 1949)

Papa Joe’s son, U.D. “Daddy D” Williams, achieved what few Black farming families could in the mid-20th century:
He bought the family farm outright in 1949, paying for it with proceeds from cotton and — as family history proudly says — a little homemade moonshine.

“Daddy D” fathered 11 children, passing down both the land and a belief in hard, honest work.

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Harvey Williams Sr. – The Modern Farmer

The next generation farmer, Harvey Sr., inherited the challenging task of running a profitable farm on relatively limited acreage.

He diversified the operation and began growing vegetables — especially sweet potatoes, which today form the backbone of Delta Dirt’s vodka.

Harvey Sr. passed away in 2021, but his influence is deeply present in every bottle.

The Eater interview notes that he had four children:

• Andre
• Kennard
• Harvey Jr.
• One sibling not publicly named

Andre and Kennard still farm the land to this day.

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The Distillery Generation – Harvey Jr., Donna, Thomas, and Donavan

Harvey Williams Jr. – Co-Founder & CEO

A farmer, entrepreneur, and visionary, Harvey Jr. is the driving force behind turning a family farm into a nationally recognized spirits operation. He blends agricultural heritage with modern business leadership.

Donna Williams – Co-Founder & Chief Brand Officer

Donna leads brand development, community outreach, storytelling, and the hospitality experience at the distillery. She was instrumental in encouraging Harvey Jr. to pursue distillation seriously.

Thomas Williams – Head Distiller

The youngest son, Thomas originally planned to become a doctor. Instead, he found his calling perfecting sweet-potato-based distillation techniques. He developed Delta Dirt’s signature fermentation ratios in the family garage.

Donavan Williams – Operations Manager

Donavan oversees daily operations, distribution, and hands-on production. His role grows each year as the distillery expands its regional footprint.

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Why Delta Dirt Distillery Matters

Delta Dirt is more than a craft distillery — it’s one of the most significant agricultural-to-spirits stories in the United States.

They control the entire process

From planting sweet potatoes to sealing the bottle, the Williams family does everything themselves.

They represent Black landownership and multigenerational success

The distillery stands as a rare example of Black farming families expanding, innovating, and retaining control of their land.

Their spirits reflect the Arkansas Delta

Every bottle contains the character of the region: its soil, its climate, its crops, and its heritage.

They are elevating Arkansas on the national spirits map

Delta Dirt has expanded distribution into multiple states and continues to gather national attention and awards.