In the Pacific Northwest, craft spirits are often rooted in place, shaped by water, weather and the fiercely independent spirit of the region. At The Falls Distilling, that sense of place runs even deeper. The Willamette Valley–based distillery is both veteran-owned and woman-owned, and every bottle tells a story of service, family and Oregon pride.
Founded by husband-and-wife team James Manning and Seaneen Rudkin-Manning after nearly four decades of marriage, The Falls Distilling didn’t begin as a retirement hobby. It began as a promise.
“We have been married for almost 38 years, and when we were very young, we talked about what we were going to do when we retired,” Seaneen shared, “with the word ‘retired’ always in air quotes.”
What started as a lighthearted dream — maybe buying a small still and crafting their own gin — eventually became reality. After James completed more than 12 years in the U.S. Navy and the couple officially stepped into “retirement,” they dusted off the idea. They experimented, refined recipes and shared early batches with friends and family.
The response was clear: This wasn’t just a hobby. Oregon’s craft spirits scene was calling.
James’ Navy career continues to shape the heartbeat of the distillery. Discipline, resilience and long-term vision — hallmarks of military life — are evident in every aspect of the business. “My experience in the Navy allowed me the ability to think I can do anything,” James says. “So, starting a distillery seemed like something we could handle.”
That confidence translates into leadership rooted in service. James remains deeply connected to the veteran community, serving as a member of his local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and on the Veterans Advisory Council for Clackamas County. A portion of sales from Knotty Gin supports veterans’ causes, ensuring the business continues to give back.
But service doesn’t stop there. James also volunteers with local historical organizations and serves on civic boards, reinforcing that The Falls Distilling is as much about community stewardship as it is about spirits.
While distilling has historically been male-dominated, Oregon’s craft movement has seen a rise in talented women shaping the industry. Seaneen stepped into the scene already surrounded by strong female leadership and guidance — a testament to the Pacific Northwest’s evolving culture.
“Since we are so new to the distilling world, and Oregon has such a strong showing of amazing women distillers,” she says, “I came into the world already populated with award-winning gals.”
Her perspective underscores something unique about Oregon: collaboration over competition.
The couple describes the craft distillery culture here as inclusive and generous. “Every step forward we make is because somebody else helped us along the way,” Seaneen explains.
As a small, hands-on operation, James and Seaneen do everything themselves. That independence reflects entrepreneurial grit and the shared vision that first brought them here decades ago. Place matters in the Pacific Northwest, and The Falls Distilling leans into its heritage unapologetically. James is the fifth generation of his family to live in West Linn, and that lineage shapes both brand and bottle design.
River Gin features the oldest known photograph of Willamette Falls. Knotty Gin honors the U.S.S. Oregon, while Captain Webb Gin nods to the adventurer who famously barreled over the falls. Each label honors the stories that built the region. This isn’t marketing nostalgia. It’s identity. The distillery celebrates Oregon history both visually and botanically, connecting the past to the present sip.
In a region filled with creative, botanical-forward gins, The Falls Distilling has taken a confident stance: Their spirits are meant to stand on their own.
“We have a belief that if you can drink a spirit straight, neat, it makes a great cocktail. If you can’t drink it neat, you have to make a cocktail.”
All three gins are intentionally crafted to be enjoyed neat, a differentiator in a category often designed for mixing. Approximately 50 percent of each recipe is juniper, sourced from the Mediterranean for its smoother, sweeter profile — less oily and bitter than some alternatives. Blended with citrus-forward botanicals, the result is a gin that feels balanced and approachable without sacrificing character.
Though still considered an up-and-coming distillery, growth is firmly on the horizon. New gin varieties are already in development, and the team plans to deepen its presence in Oregon’s restaurant and bar scene before expanding online to reach customers nationwide.
Yet for all the ambition, the heart of The Falls Distilling remains the same as it was in those early “air-quote retirement” conversations: a shared project grounded in service and place.
