Virginia Wine Month is officially underway!
Governor Spanberger called on Virginians this week to visit local wineries, calling the industry “a source of pride and economic vitality.” She’s right. And after the ups and down of this year, local winemakers need all the support they can get.
So get out there and drink some wine! That’s an order!
There’s a lot to be excited about, but in my opinion. the place to be this week is Bluestone Vineyard in Bridgewater, where five of the state’s best winemakers are coming together to showcase what they have to offer.
And last but not least, my Bottle of the Week is none other than the winner of the 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup!
In this week’s edition
🎉 Events: A winemaker tasting, a harvest party, a “wein” festival, and more.
🍾 Bottle of the Week: Valley Road Vineyards’ 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve
🏆 Awards: 2026 Stewards of Virginia Wine announced.
📰 News: Profiling the five new wineries in Northern Virginia
🌱 Behind the Scenes: Linden’s candid vintage dispatch and harvest notes from the field
💰 Deals: Early Mountain 15% off for Virginia Wine Month
Events
This Week (Oct. 7-13):
Sarah's Blind Tasting at Walsh: Walsh Family Wine (Purcellville) founder Sarah Walsh is hosting her annual Bar Takeover on October 9 built around blind tasting. She'll pour a lineup of the most memorable wines she's had all year with featured guest winemakers and a secret menu.
Virginia Winemaker Tasting at Bluestone: Bluestone Vineyard (Bridgewater) is hosting a Virginia Winemaker Tasting on October 10, featuring Stephen Barnard from Keswick Vineyards, Damien Blanchon from Afton Mountain Vineyards, Chelsey Blevins from Fifty-Third Winery, Matthieu Finot from Domaine Finot and host Lee Hartman.
Oktoberfest Wein Festival: North Mountain Vineyard & Winery (Maurertown) is hosting an Oktoberfest Wein Festival on October 10 with Virginia wine, German-inspired food, live music, and horse-drawn carriage rides through the vineyard.
Merrie Mill Art Festival & Book Fair: Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard (Keswick) has rescheduled their 5th Biannual Art Festival & Book Fair to October 10 after rain pushed the original date.
Annual Harvest Festival at Cana: Cana Vineyards (Middleburg) is hosting its Annual Harvest Festival on October 10, including a local fall market pumpkin art for the kids, and firepits on the lawn.
Fall Festival at La Grange: The Winery at La Grange (Haymarket) is celebrating two decades with a Fall Festival on October 10 — live music, BBQ from Smokes BBQ, local artisans, and a special tasting with the winemaker.
Boxwood's 6th Annual Oyster Riot: Boxwood Estate Winery (Middleburg) is hosting its annual Oyster Riot on October 11. Raw bar with Saltwater Cowboys from Chincoteague and Aristocrats from Cape Charles. First glass of wine is included.
Next Week (Oct. 14-21):
Friends & Flannel market at 868: 868 Estate Vineyards (Delaplane) is hosting a Ladies Night Out “Friends & Flannel” market on October 15 with wine specials, vendors, and sweet treats.
Slater Run Harvest Party: Slater Run Vineyards (Upperville) is hosting a Harvest Party on October 17 with an oyster roast, pulled pork with fixings, apple cider donuts, and live music.
Barrel Oak Sommelier’s Table: Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery (Delaplane) is hosting a Sommelier’s Table focused on Northern Italy on October 17. It includes small-batch Italian wines alongside Barrel Oak pours, guided by two sommeliers.
Bottle of the Week
Valley Road Vineyards - 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve
Afton • Cabernet Franc • $44.95
Why it’s here
What better way to celebrate the beginning of Virginia Wine Month than showcase the winner of the Governor's Cup. This wine is aged 30 months in 25% new French oak to bring balanced tannins and long, pleasing finish. This wine has been so popular, they are on their second bottling!
Tasting notes
🌸 Violet • 🍒 Black cherry • 🌶️ Spicy, peppery palate •🍦 Vanilla
Awards & Reviews
2026 Stewards of Virginia Wine Awards announced
Virginia Wine has announced the 2026 Stewards of Virginia Wine, honoring restaurants, wine bars, and retailers for exceptional support of Virginia wine.
Judges’ Award recipients (a.k.a. the top six) include the following…
Barrel Thief Wine & Provisions (Richmond)
Duner’s (Ivy)
Hanover Mercantile (Hanover)
Restaurant Foraged at Patowmack Farm (Lovettsville)
The Ashby Inn & Restaurant (Paris)
The Market at Grelen (Somerset)
Wine News
Five new wineries in Northern Virginia
Wine Trails and Wanderlust profiled five wineries that have opened (or are about to open) in Northern Virginia since 2025:
Catamaran Hills Vineyard (Lovettsville): Founded with help from Doug Fabbioli, known for their sparkling Petit Manseng and Cabernet Franc.
Ovoka Farm Winery (Paris): The farm is expanding from Wagyu beef into wine, with Kendell Anderson from The Winery at Bull Run making the wines.
Petit Domaine (Hillsboro): The only tasting room in Virginia dedicated to traditional-method sparkling.
Silver Dog Vineyards (Linden): An 18-acre property that includes plantings of Barbera and Sagrantino, two Italian varietals that are uncommon in Virginia.
OH’s Vineyard (Round Hill): Opening soon in the former Bogati Bodega space, with a wine salon and farm-to-table restaurant.
Behind the Scenes
More harvest notes from the state
Jim Law of Linden Vineyards (Linden) published a candid harvest note this week.
Law is picking everything now and pivoting to whole-berry fermentation (no crushing), cooler temps, and a shorter skin contact of about 10 days.
It’s a deliberate shift toward a lighter, fruitier style that fits the vintage. “This year calls for restraint,” he wrote.
Walsh Family Wine (Purcellville) shared winemaker notes from harvest, writing very good, clean fruit, cooperative weather, and they picked everything where they wanted it. Chenin Blanc, Albariño, and Petit Manseng showed smaller berries with concentrated ripeness and zest.
“The ferments are exciting and the wines are expected to be expressive and lengthy,” they wrote on Instagram.
Bluemont Vineyard (Bluemont) reports that whites and rosé are finishing fermentation and will be bottled in December. Cabernet Franc is in the cellar and starting fermentation, while Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Norton remain on the vine.
Arterra Wines (Delaplane) called this their earliest recorded harvest, but the winery is “excited about the quality of fruit in the cellar.”
At Horton Vineyards (Barboursville), Roussanne is fermenting into an orange wine. They use dry ice for controlled, texture-forward extraction.
In other news:
A visit with Corry Craighill: My NoVa Wine Blog published an in-depth profile of Corry Craighill, winemaker at Septenary Winery (Crozet) and Valley Road Vineyards, who was behind this 2026 Governor’s Cup-winning 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve.
Deals & Promotions
Early Mountain 15% off for Wine Month: Early Mountain Vineyards (Madison) is offering 15% off Cabernet Franc wines through October. It’s good moment to stock up on one of the state's most consistent producers.