Virginia's 2026 harvest has arrived, and it's moving fast.
Ankida Ridge in Amherst picked their sparkling base in an overnight harvest last week, working through difficult conditions to get the grapes in clean. Pollak Vineyards in Greenwood is picking Sauvignon Blanc at their Windcrest Vineyard.
Michael Shaps in Charlottesville and Rosemont in La Crosse both confirm harvest is underway.
For a vintage that started with frost, fought through drought and heat, and had winemakers checking forecasts every morning, there is genuine optimism that some producers will pull off something worth drinking.
We will know more in a few months.
In this week’s edition
🎉 Events: Barboursville’s Cabernet Franc Reserve Feast, We The Wine People premiere, Walsh's bar takeover, Starry Nights at Veritas and more
🍾 Bottle of the Week: Barboursville Vineyards’ 2023 Nebbiolo Reserve
🍷 New Releases: Revalation's first 100% Chardonnay and Boden Young’s new Riesling
📰 News: Lee Hartman to the Virginia Wine Board and Decanter covers Northern Virginia.
🌱 Behind the Scenes: Harvest hits full stride
💰 Deals: Late-summer deal at Early Mountain and a last call on Cana Vineyards event space discount
Events
This Week (August 12–18):
Bar Takeover: Walsh Family Wine in Purcellville is hosting a Bar Takeover on August 14. Four boutique producers will be pouring their small-batch wines. It’s a true evening for wine nerds.
Sauvignon Blanc vertical tasting: Revalation Vineyards is hosting a three-vintage Sauvignon Blanc vertical on August 15 alongside pours from France and New Zealand.
Jazz in the Courtyard: Ingleside Vineyards in Colonial Beach is bringing back their evening concert series with the Tina Hashemi Quartet on August 15.
Wine Library Tasting at Gray Ghost: Gray Ghost Vineyards in Amissville is hosting a Wine Library Tasting on August 16 led by founder Al Kellert — a deep dive through 2002 and 2012 Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from the library.
Farm to Table Harvest Dinner: DuCard Vineyards in Etlan is hosting their annual Farm to Table Harvest Dinner on August 16, featuring a locally sourced dinner under the Blue Ridge in the winery pavilion, benefiting the Madison County 4-H and County Fair.
We The Wine People D.C. premiere: The documentary following Virginia winemakers through the 2025 growing season has its D.C. premiere on August 18. The evening includes a walk-around tasting and a silent auction.
Next Week (August 19–26):
Sustainable wine tasting at Walsh: Walsh Family Wine is hosting a seated comparative tasting on August 21 led by Nate Walsh. It is an exploration of what "sustainable" actually means in the vineyard — from conventional farming and organics to biodynamics and hybrid varieties.
Starry Nights returns at Veritas: Veritas Vineyards is bringing back their summer concert series on August 22 — an evening of live music and wine under the stars.
Two-vineyard tasting trail: 868 Estate Winery and Breaux Vineyards are hosting a joint tasting trail on August 23 — a glass of wine at each vineyard paired with a late summer bite, plus live music from 2–5pm.
Cabernet Franc Reserve Feast: Barboursville Vineyards is hosting a four-course dinner on August 23 featuring rare and older vintages of their Cabernet Franc Reserve.
20th Anniversary at La Grange: The Winery at Lagrange is celebrating their 20th anniversary with a special wine dinner on August 24 led by Chef Ryan Ross.
Bottle of the Week
Barboursville Vineyards — 2023 Nebbiolo Reserve
Piedmont • Nebbiolo • $40
Why it’s here
The 2023 won Gold at the 2026 Monticello Cup, continuing a track record that dates back to Barboursville's very first vintage of Nebbiolo in 1998. The wine has drawn 90+ point reviews from Wine Advocate across multiple vintages. At $40, this is one of the genuine bargains in Virginia wine.
Tasting notes
💐 Violets • 🫐 Dark berry • 🍂 Tobacco • 🌲 Forest loam
New Releases
Revalation Vineyards releases their first 100% Chardonnay: Revalation Vineyards has announced their first single-varietal Chardonnay — a milestone for the winery. Tasting notes and serving details on their Instagram.
Boden Young’s new Riesling: A dry Riesling by Boden Young Wine is now available at Walsh Family Wine. With 1% residual sugar, it’s an interesting addition for a state where Riesling rarely gets serious treatment.
Arterra Wines September club release: Arterra Wines (Hawk Moth) has announced their upcoming September releases, featuring their 2024 Roussanne, Blaufrankisch, and Cabernet Franc as well as their 2023 Norton.
Lightwell Survey release party at Primrose DC: Lightwell Survey is celebrating the release of their new wines IN LIKE A LION and OUT LIKE A LAMB at a release party at Primrose DC on August 30.
Wine News
Lee Hartman appointed to the Virginia Wine Board: Bluestone Vineyard winemaker Lee Hartman has been appointed to the Virginia Wine Board by Governor Spanberger, following nomination by the Virginia Wineries Association. He joined the board along with Stephanie Pence of Brix & Columns Vineyards and Stuart King of King Family Vineyards.
Northern Virginia gets the Decanter treatment: Sedale McCall's wine weekend guide to Northern Virginia just landed in Decanter. Good reading if you want to see how Virginia wine is being sold to a global audience.
Millennials are now the biggest wine drinkers in America: New data from IWSR and the 2025 U.S. Wine Consumer Benchmark Segmentation Study push back on the "young people are killing wine" narrative. Millennials now make up 31% of U.S. wine drinkers, surpassing Baby Boomers at 26%. As Maria Yagoda reports in Wine Enthusiast, the sales decline appears to be economic rather than behavioral.
Behind the Scenes
Rosemont welcomes new assistant vineyard manager: Rosemont of Virginia has welcomed Makayla McGlothlin as their new Assistant Vineyard Manager. A lifelong Emporia resident, McGlothlin brings a background in environmental technology to the role.
Deals & Promotions
Late-summer deal at Early Mountain: Early Mountain Vineyards has 15% off and free shipping on their August picks — Rosé, Petit Manseng Demi-Sec, and Foothills — with code AUG15. Good through the end of the month.
Good Spirit Farm teacher appreciation weekend: Good Spirit Farm is offering educators 50% off their first glass or flight, 10% off bottles, and a free bouquet August 21–23 — valid for past and present teachers.
Last call! Cana Vineyards event space discount: Caña Vineyards is offering 15% off the base rental price for summer events booked by August 15.