Virginia Foothills Distillery sits on Spotswood Trail in Barboursville, surrounded by the rolling hills that give it its name. Founded by Chris and Amy Richeson, this small-batch operation opened its doors in 2018 after years of planning and passion for craft spirits. The couple converted a former commercial space into their distillery, creating a warm, intimate setting where visitors can watch the entire production process unfold. They focus primarily on bourbon and rye whiskey, though they’ve experimented with other spirits as they’ve grown. Chris Richeson brings a background in engineering to the distilling process, approaching each batch with precision and attention to detail. The couple wanted to create something authentic in Virginia’s growing craft spirits scene, focusing on quality over quantity from day one. They source their grains locally when possible and age their whiskeys in full-size barrels despite their smaller production scale. The operation remains hands-on, with Chris handling most of the distilling while Amy manages the business side and visitor experiences. The distillery offers an intimate look at craft distilling that you won’t find at larger operations. You’ll taste spirits straight from the barrel, learn about their mashing and fermentation process, and get to know the people behind every bottle. The atmosphere is relaxed and educational rather than polished or corporate. It’s the kind of place where you leave understanding not just what they make, but why they make it the way they do.