River Hill Distillery sits on 356 Ruffners Ferry Road in Luray, Virginia, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Founded by David and Susan Hill in 2016, this family operation emerged from David’s background in engineering and Susan’s hospitality experience, combined with a shared passion for craft spirits that developed during years of home distilling experiments. The distillery occupies a purpose-built facility designed to showcase both production and visitor experiences, producing bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, and seasonal spirits using locally-sourced grains when possible. The Hills’ journey into commercial distilling began after David retired from his engineering career and the couple decided to turn their hobby into something bigger. They spent two years navigating Virginia’s licensing requirements and building relationships with local grain suppliers before opening their doors. David handles the production side, applying his technical background to perfecting recipes and managing the copper pot still, while Susan focuses on the tasting room experience and business operations. Their approach centers on small-batch production with careful attention to each step of the process. Visitors to River Hill find themselves in a working distillery where you can see the entire operation from grain to bottle. The tasting room offers a relaxed atmosphere where the Hills or their staff explain their process and let you sample their current lineup. Tours include the production area where you’ll see their copper still in action and learn about their fermentation and aging processes. The experience feels personal and educational rather than polished or corporate—you’re visiting craftspeople who genuinely enjoy sharing what they’ve learned.