News

Try 4 Virginia wines from unusual grapes

MICHAEL SHAPS WINERY MANAGEMENT GROUP TAKES OVER VIRGINIA WINEWORKS

Michael Shaps, co-founder and partner of Virginia Wineworks, has bought out his former founding partner Philip Stafford. A new holding company called Michael Shaps Winery Management Group (MSWMG), has been formed to oversee the winery operation and to develop new winery and vineyard projects. MSWMG consists of Michael Shaps as majority partner, Tayloe Dameron of Upper Shirley Vineyards in Charles City, Virginia, Francois Cousin of Brussels, Belgium, and Dean Andrews of Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Virginia - A Progress Report

Virginia Wine Country Has a Chef Mega-Fan

In Virginia wine country, there’s a whole vineyard of pleasures to be found

In Virginia wine country, there’s a whole vineyard of pleasures to be found...

Winery Wine Clubs Are the New “Must Belong”

Important Factors when Considering Wine Club Membership

What's the Deal with: Virginia Wine?

Fruitful Harvest For Early Mountain Vineyards And Virginia Wineries

Wine Treats From Virginia, Beyond

Don't be afraid to try unfamiliar wines or unusual pairings

Different may be good, but let’s face it: Different can be scary. We like the familiar and dislike the unknown, and that continues to be a challenge for wine drinkers, myself included.

Great Road Trips: Virginia Wineries Worth Visiting

In the past few years, Virginia wine has really taken off. The state is the fifth largest wine- producing state and is home to more than 200 wineries. Although that number may seem small, when you consider that there were only six in the entire state in 1979, that’s a pretty big jump. To bring added awareness to Virginia’s contribution to the nation’s wine scene, the Virginia Wine Board held the Virginia Wine Summit on Oct. 27 and 28.

Virginia is making a name for itself as a wine destination, with hundreds of new vineyards

There are wine trails and nine distinct wine regions with companies like New Kent, Saude Creek, Dog and Oyster, and Philip Carter

Virginia wine, a perfect match with Chesapeake oysters

Jon Wehner stood at the end of the small pier and pointed to his right, across Church Creek. “Those are our oyster beds over there,” he said, indicating a series of white poles sticking out of the water near the north shore. “And over here to the left, closer to the bay, you can see Shooting Point’s bed.” As he spoke, a small boat churned slowly toward us from the northwest, the sound of its motor c

Vineyards that are putting Virginia on the fine-wine map

The past several years, however, have brought Jefferson vindication. A new generation of Virginia winemakers has begun to produce wines that can compete with the best of those from California and Europe. Here in the Mid-Atlantic, a petite Bordeaux is taking root. Technological advances in vineyard site selection, viticulture and winemaking have combined to create a critical mass for Virginia, establishing this area as what Decanter magazine in July called “the next big thing in American wine.”

Oz Clarke dazzles Virginia Wine Summit crowd

A Vineyard for Every Taste

Whether you’re an oenophile looking to try exclusive wines or a casual drinker who just wants to picnic, there’s a Virginia winery for you. Here are 19 favorites.

A Road Trip into the Heart of American Terroir

A Road Trip Into The Heart of American Terroir

Food & Wine (Circulation: 957,854). Written by Steven Grubbs, this article, titled “A Road Trip into the Heart of the American Terroir” features Atlantan sommelier Bobby Fischer’s journey through Southern wineries in Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. Several Virginia wineries are featured in this story including Foggy Ridge Cider, Veritas Vineyard & Winery, Early Mountain and Ankida Ridge Vineyards.

A Road Trip Into The Heart of American Terroir

Food & Wine (Circulation: 957,854). Written by Steven Grubbs, this article, titled “A Road Trip into the Heart of the American Terroir” features Atlantan sommelier Bobby Fischer’s journey through Southern wineries in Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. Several Virginia wineries are featured in this story including Foggy Ridge Cider, Veritas Vineyard & Winery, Early Mountain and Ankida Ridge Vineyards.

Virginia is for (Wine) Lovers

Top vintages from RdV Vineyards are giving French and California producers a run for their money.

Virginia: America’s Old World

It doesn’t get the media coverage that California does, but Virginia is tipped to be the next big thing in American wine. Jason Tesauro picks out the varieties and producers that are bringing the area to wider attention, at home and abroad

Embracing Virginia’s Terroir

Since Thomas Jefferson first tried to cultivate European vinifera in Virginia, the state has been a decided piece of American wine country. Over the years better knowledge, equipment and materials have all contributed to an advancing wine industry, but the more recent decade or two has brought out the real potential that can be found.

Virginia Wine: Sippin’ from the Governor’s Cup

This past February, 45 of the sharpest palates in wine gathered for a blind tasting of 377 Virginia wines. Those judged to be the 12 best would go on to form The Governor’s Case (cue trumpet fanfare)! A couple months later, for reasons that remain curious, the Virginia wine powers that be thought it would be a good idea to dump a case on yours truly and see what happened. And so I give you the first in my two part series of Sippin’ from the Governor’s Cup.

10 Mid-Atlantic wineries worth exploring

For wine lovers interested in exploring beyond state borders to discover wineries producing high-quality wine and establishing a regional style, here are a few suggestions.

Virginia Wine: Off the beaten path in Northern Virginia, part 2

Our journey to Northern Virginia continues as we visit with a couple of the Commonwealth’s most celebrated winemakers.