Wineries of Virginia

Wine in the U.S. state of Virginia has a history dating back to Thomas Jefferson, who believed (correctly) that the region's topography and climate resembled that of France.

Understand

Major wine production in the state picked up after the 1970s with the Zonin family of Venice purchasing the historic Barboursville estate.

Grapes

Depending on the region, Virginia grows a wide variety of both old world, hybrid, and North American grapes. The most produced grapes are Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Petit Verdot & Norton. The Norton, native to the state, is a source of particular pride among growers.

Climate and soil

Most of Virginia east of the blue ridge mountains have loam soils. The Shenandoah has limestone and much of the southwest is rocky with granite.

Climatically, the Chesapeake Bay and its river tributaries moderate the climate of the east and extend the growing season. The Shenandoah and Blue Ridge areas are cooler, tempered by elevation. Northern and central virginia are warm, with long summers and mild winters.

Appellation

The American apellation system, the American Viticultural Area (AVA) is an optional geographic indicator. If a wine is labeled with an AVA, at least 85% of the grapes that make up the wine must have been grown in the AVA, and the wine must be fully finished within the state where the AVA is located. Virginia has 7 AVA listed below.

  • 🌍 Middleburg AVA. Covering parts of Loudon and Fauquier counties, producing many of Northern Virginia's best wines. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Monticello AVA. The heartland of Virginia wine. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 North Fork of Roanoke AVA. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace AVA. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Rocky Knob AVA. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Shenandoah Valley AVA. A combination of limestone soils, cool temperatures, and a moderate position between two mountain chains give this region terroir unmatched in the state. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Virginia Peninsula AVA. The state's newest AVA is also its warmest and wettest. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Virginia's Eastern Shore AVA. (updated Feb 2024)

Regions

Virginia's topography varies greatly from the Chesapeake to the Blue Ridge, so it is best to think of its wines on a regional scale.

Chesapeake Bay

This region moderating effect of the Chesapeake Bay and rivers, leads to milder summers and warmer winters with a longer growing season. The predominant soils are heavier clay loams to well-drained sandy loams. Common grapes here are vinifera such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and hybrids such as Chambourcin & Vidal Blanc.

To reach this area from Washington or Northern Virginia, take I-95 south to Fredericksburg, then 3 East. Alternatively from Washington or Maryland, take 301 through Southern Maryland into Dahlgren. From Richmond, take Highway 301 towards Dahlgren or Highway 360 towards Tappahanock. From Hampton Roads, take Highway 17 through Gloucester, then Highway 3 into Kilmarnock.

Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace AVA

This peninsula sits between the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers.

Middle Neck

This peninsula sits between the Rappahannock and James Rivers.

Hampton Roads

This region has similar soils to the Chesapeake region above, but is warmer and wetter, making winemaking a challenge. It is the closest wine region to Richmond, lying in the metropolitan area of Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Virginia Peninsula AVA

Nestled between the James and Rappahannock rivers and covering the peninsula from Greater Richmond to Newport News, this AVA has sedimentary soils and a mild maritime climate.

Eastern Shore AVA

Southside

Northern Virginia
For indivdual listings and deeper information, see Northern Virginia Wine.

The fastest growing wine region in the United States. Generally within a 90 minute drive of Washington, DC. Wine production is concentrated in Loudon and Fauquier counties but includes Rappahannock, Culpeper, Prince William, Farifax, and Stafford counties.

Middleburg AVA

Middleburg is the heart of Northern Virginia's wine country. The AVA stretches across central Loudon County and northwestern Fauquier County, along a valley between the Blue Ridge on the west and Catoctin Mountain in the East. Middleburg offers granite soils, eastern-facing hills, slightly cooler temperatures and more moisture than the rest of Loudon and Fauquier. Boudreaux varieties predominate though hybrids, and Italian varieties (especially Sangiovese & Nebbiolo) are produced by many wineries as well.

Central Virginia
For indivdual listings and deeper information, see Central Virginia Wine.

Central Virginia has a wine-making history dating back to Thomas Jefferson, who believed (correctly) that the region's topography and climate resembled that of France. Major wine production in the state picked up after the 1970s with the Zonin family of Venice purchasing the historic Barboursville estate. Horton Vineyards pioneered the viognier in the state and revolutionized Virginia wine in the 1980s.

This region of sunshine and rolling hills has seen a marked increase in both quality and quantity over the last three decades and has become a popular wine region to tour in the American East Coast.

In 2023 Monticello was named Wine Enthusiast's wine destination of the year.

Monticello AVA

Shenandoah Valley AVA

Sandwiched between the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains, the valley benefits from a rain shadow effect. Temperatures are cooler than the rest of the state, and soils are limestone (as in Champagne, Burgundy, or Paso Robles), granting a higher acidity. Shenandoah Valley was Virginia's first AVA and stretches from Winchester in the north past Lexington in the south.

North Fork of the Roanoke AVA

Rocky Knob AVA

Cool winds on this ridge delay the arrival of spring and dry the climate here, leaving it less vulnerable to fungus than the rest of the Blue Ridge region. Its gravel and loam soils are well-drained. Common wines here include Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Italian varieties such as Aglianico.

Blue Ridge

The region southwest of Roanoke benefits from well-drained loam and gravel soils and high elevations.

  • 🌍 West Wind Farm Vineyard and Winery, 180 West Wind Dr., Max Meadows, ☏ +1 276-699-2020. (updated Feb 2024)

Virginia Mountains

Appalachia

Very mountainous and rocky with a year-round temperate climate in the far west of the state.

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Southern Virginia

The warm region along the North Carolina border. Rural, historic, and wooded, this region includes Danville and Martinsville.

Buy

Many Virginia producers are small-scale, so if you like a bottle, it is best to buy it straight from the source. Virginia ABC stores have a better selection than most Grocery stores. Large retailers like Total Wine have a limited selection.

See also
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