The Virginia Vineyards Association began in 1979 as a joint effort among Virginia viticulturists, wineries and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to oversee and promote the following areas of mutual interest.
Website: www.virginiavineyardsassociation.com
Tom Kelly, President
tkelly@rappahannockcellars.com
Bill Tonkins, Past President
bill.tonkins@veritaswines.com
Jim Benefiel, Vice President
jwbenefiel@aol.com
Karl Hambsch, Secretary
khambsch@embarqmail.com
Kay Thompson, Treasurer
kaynthompson@gmail.com
Dr. Tony K. Wolf, Technical Advisor
vitis@vt.edu
Emily Hodson, Research Committee Chair
emily@veritaswines.com
Paul Mierzejewski, Education Committee Chair
mierskis@cstone.net
Bill Robson, Legislative Committee Chair
wrobson@msn.com
Bill Freitag, Sustainability Workbook Committee Chair
bill@tollgatefarm.com
Turtle Zwadlo, Communications Committee Chair
tzwadlo@pollakvineyards.com
Katie Meeks, VVA Business Manager
vavineyardsassoc@gmail.com
Click HERE to view upcoming VVA events.
The VVA invites you to join their growing association dedicated to the viticultural interests of Virginia. Members include commercial growers, those who grow grapes as a hobby and people who want to learn more about viticulture. Many of Virginia's farm-wineries are also members as are companies that provide goods and services to grape growers statewide.
Membership is open to anyone. The annual membership fee of $60 covers up to two people (additional members may be added for $10 each) and is due by January 31 of each year. The fee helps the VVA host several annual workshops offered in cooperation with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. One of these is the VVA annual technical conference. Another, the annual membership event and picnic, is typically held at a member-farm winery in the spring or summer and gives members a chance to get to know each other, compare and exchange viticultural notes and enjoy good food and wine. The VVA newsletter, the Grape Press, comes out quarterly by email to each member.
Please visit virginiavineyardsassociation.com to download a membership form and member roster.