You’ve stumbled upon the United States’ best kept wine secret. Halfway between western Europe and California, Virginia is a mix of old world and new world traditions. It’s where Southern Grit meets Old World grace.
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Introduction
The Best of Both Worlds
Virginia’s wines are where old world and new world meet. Small farms focus on producing high quality artisanal products in a fruit forward but refined style.
Though Virginia was one of the original 13 colonies, its wine history really only started taking off in the late 1970s. Now it’s on an exponential trajectory towards greatness, making it one of the fastest growing wine regions in America. Today it’s best known for Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Viognier.
Fun Facts
There’s a Movement Growing in Virginia
A community of farmers perfecting their own agricultural art. They don’t bend to trends. They listen to their land, drawing out the story in every vine and every vintage.
82% Vitis vinifera
Vitis vinifera vines make up 82% of all vineyard plantings
4600 Acres
A total of 4600 acres (1860 hectares) of vines are planted
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is the most planted grape
300+ Wineries
Home to 300+ wineries, which has grown from 50 in the 90s.
8 AVAs
Virginia has 8 AVAs (American Viticultural Areas).
58% Reds 42% Whites
There are an equal amount of red and white grapes grown.
Wines to Explore
Old World Grace & Southern Grit
Virginia wines are lush but structured; aromatic, expressive and beautifully balanced—blending the subtlety of the Old World with the boldness of the new.
Top Varieties
Cabernet Franc
Full-Bodied Red Wine
Cabernet Franc is the most planted grape in Virginia and makes up 14% of all the grapes harvested in the state. It is usually made into a dry, oaked varietal wine, but it can also be a component of Meritage or other red blends.
Pepper
Plum
Blackberry
Violets
Tobacco
Chardonnay
Full-Bodied White Wine
The second most planted grape in Virginia, accounting for 13% of all the grapes harvested, Chardonnay styles vary depending on the winery. This versatile and well-loved grape is often aged in oak and goes through malolactic fermentation, giving it luscious vanilla and buttery notes, but it can also be lean, fresh, and steely.
Peach
Lemon
Butter
Smoke
Vanilla
Bordeaux Style Blends
Full-Bodied Red Wine
Bordeaux-style red blends are some of the most highly acclaimed wines in Virginia. While their blending percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc vary greatly across vineyards and vintages, the end products are consistently lush and layered. They are often built to improve over time in your cellar.
Blackberry
Cedar
Bell Pepper Violets
Clove
Petit Verdot
Full-Bodied Red Wine
Traditionally used as a blending grape in Bordeaux, Petit Verdot has come into its own as a star varietal in Virginia and makes up 10% of all grapes harvested. Its high level of tannins and deep color makes for bold, weighty wines that are perfect for a cold evening.
Black Cherry
Black Plum
Dark Chocolate Smoke
Leather
Viognier
Full-Bodied White Wine
Smelling sweet thanks to the ripe fruit and blossom aromas, Virginia Viognier is typically made in a dry style. It has quickly developed a reputation as one of the state’s signature grapes and makes up 7% of the grapes harvested, but it is the second most planted white grape.
Peach
Pineapple
Orange Blossom
Honey suckle
NectarineSelected
Virginia Wines
Featured
Virginia Winery
12 Wines
Wine Regions
A Shifting Landscape
With over 4,000 acres of grapes that span the state, Virginia is home to 10 regions and 8 distinct AVAs.
Blue Ridge-
Blue Ridge is home to the beautiful Appalachian Trail and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. Thanks to the loam and gravel soils here that provide excellent drainage and high elevations, there are many wineries found in this region. It’s home to two of Virginia’s AVAs.
The North Fork of Roanoke AVA
This AVA sits on the eastern slopes of the Allegheny Mountains and is known for Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Bordeaux Style Blends thanks to the gravelly soils. Elevations between 1,200 to 2,200 feet (365 to 670m) keep things cool.
The Rocky Knob AVA
Sitting on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this is a very picturesque region. The well drained soils and elevation of 1,600 to 3,500 ft (487 to 1067m) are key to preventing too much humidity and water from collecting nearby, creating ripe yet fresh wines.
Wineries in Blue Ridge
Abingdon Vineyards
Beliveau Farm Winery
Chateau Morrisette Winery
Davis Valley Winery & Distillery
Iron Heart Winery
JBR Vineyards & Winery
Nicewonder Farms & Vineyard
Reserve: Tasting Room & Lounge
Spinning Jenny Vineyard
Stanburn Winery
The New River Vineyard & Winery
Villa Appalaccia
West Wind Farm Vineyard and Winery
Central Virginia+
Chesapeake Bay+
Eastern Shore+
Hampton Roads+
Heart of Appalachia+
Northern Virginia+
Shenandoah Valley+
Southern Virginia+
Virginia Mountains+
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