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The Valley Today is a radio show and podcast dedicated to shining a light on the vibrant community leaders and local events that make the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia truly special.  Insightful conversations, engaging stories, and event details connect listeners with the heart and soul of the valley, showcasing its unique culture, initiatives, and people.
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  2. Farm to Bottle: The Story Behind Three Wives Distillery

Farm to Bottle: The Story Behind Three Wives Distillery

Apr 7, 2026

Host Janet Michael and Winchester Tourism Director Justin Kerns visit Three Wives Distillery, the first farm distillery in Frederick County, Virginia in over 90 years. They sit down with owners Vernon and Toni Wright to explore how a century-old family farm transformed into a thriving craft distillery — and what it takes to bring locally grown spirits to the public.

In This Episode

  • How Hill High Farm (home of a beloved pumpkin patch, corn maze, haunted house, and escape rooms) became the site of a farm distillery
  • Vernon's journey as a self-taught distiller, growing all his own corn, barley, rye, and wheat on the farm
  • Current product lineup: 4-year bourbon, 6-month whiskey, vodka, maple whiskey, moonshine, and a blackberry whiskey coming soon
  • The complex federal and Virginia ABC regulations distilleries must navigate — including label approval, the 3-ounce spirits limit per person, and operating as an official ABC store
  • Their farm-to-bottle philosophy, including a Pennsylvania cooper who will craft barrels from the farm's own oak trees
  • Seasonal cocktail menus and partnerships with local craft beer and wine producers
  • Plans to sell farm-raised beef at the distillery
  • Their solicitor's license and how local restaurants can feature Three Wives spirits on their menus
  • The origin of the name "Three Wives" — a family story spanning three generations and three marriages
  • Four generations of the Wright family currently living and working on the farm
  • Upcoming spring grand opening with live music, food trucks, fire pits, and family activities
  • Current hours and future expansion plans

The Story Behind the Name

Vernon's great-grandfather, Carl King Wright, married a woman named Maude Brumback, who passed away after only two years. At her request, Carl then married her sister Lela — Vernon's great-grandmother — for 18 years before she also passed. Carl went on to marry a third time, to a cousin of the Brumback family. The name honors the women behind the farm's deep family history.

Connect with Three Wives Distillery

Current Hours:

  • Friday: 5–8 PM
  • Saturday: 1–9 PM
  • Sunday: 1–5 PM