Yesterday, on my 31st birthday, Vine Brief reached 1,000 subscribers!
This newsletter started only 5 months ago as a passion project to share all of the wonderful and exciting things happening in Virginia wine.
I didn't expect it to find this kind of audience this quickly. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for being here.
I am constantly thinking of ways to make this newsletter worth your while, so please don’t hesitate to reply to this email to say hello, share your ideas or tell me what’s exciting you about Virginia wine.
Now, let’s get to the wine.
In this week’s edition
🎉 Events: Early Mountain wine dinner at Elizabeth's, Shenandoah Sips, LoCo Fest, and more
🍾 Bottle of the Week: Barboursville’s 2024 Vermentino Reserve
🏆 Awards: Commonwealth Crush's Ghost in the Scene named one of the country's best natural wines in SevenFifty Daily.
🍷 New Releases: Michael Shaps 2023 Petit Manseng and two bottles from CrossKeys Vineyards
📰 News: Vermentino on the East Coast and a case for climate-resilient hybrids
💰 Deals: Walsh Harvest Lunch giveaway, rosé sale, and last call for Early Mountain's August discount
Events
This Week (August 26–September 2):
Early Mountain wine dinner at Elizabeth's: Early Mountain Vineyards is partnering with Elizabeth's — the acclaimed vegan restaurant in D.C. — for a wine dinner on August 27. A one-night-only menu built around Early Mountain's wines. $240 per person.
Lucie Morton at DuCard: DuCard Vineyards in Etlan is hosting a free presentation on August 29 by Lucie Morton — world-renowned viticulturist, author, and filmmaker — on her quest to bring the Cunningham grape back to its ancestral home in Tidewater Virginia.
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.
Dog Days of Summer: Ashton Creek Vineyard in Chester is hosting a three-day Dog Days of Summer festival from August 28–30, featuring wine tastings, a gourmet hot dog menu, and a pet adoption event. Four-legged friends are welcome.
Shenandoah Sips: Belle Grove in Middletown is hosting their annual Shenandoah Sips festival on August 29 — a full day of Virginia wine, cider, and spirits tastings set at a historic Shenandoah Valley manor.
Next Week (September 3-9):
Woodbrook Farm at Dover Hall: The Virginia Winemaker Dinner Series heads to Dover Hall on September 3 with Woodbrook Farm Vineyards. Co-owner Vaughan Jenkins and winemaker Michael Heny join Chef Leah Randolph for a five-course dinner featuring wines including their 2024 Petit Manseng, which earned a spot in this year's Governor's Cup Case.
Rebec Vineyards 15th Annual Labor Day Wine & Music Festival: Rebec Vineyards is hosting their 15th annual Labor Day festival on September 5 in Amherst. Wine tastings from nine Virginia wineries, three live bands, food vendors, and local artisans in the shaded woods. Kids 12 and under free.
LoCo Fest: 868 Estate Vineyards is hosting their 9th Annual LoCo Fest on September 6. It’s Loudoun County's biggest music festival with 15 live bands, estate-grown wine, cold beer, and four food trucks. Kids under 16 get in free. Bring lawn chairs.
Bottle of the Week
Barboursville Vineyards — Vermentino Reserve 2024
Central Virginia • Vermentino • $25
Why it’s here
Barboursville's 2024 Vermentino Reserve landed in the 2026 Virginia Governor's Cup case — a fitting result for a wine that's been building a reputation after the 2023 vintage took top honors in the Cup last year. Made in stainless steel with seven to eight months of lees contact for texture and length.
Tasting notes
🍋 Lemon blossom • 🍐 Pear & lychee • 🌸 Floral lift • 🧂 Long mineral finish
Wine News
Virginia is leading the charge on Vermentino: Paul Vigna, author of The Wine Classroom, takes a deep look at Vermentino's rise along the East Coast, and Virginia keeps coming up. Vigna highlights Barboursville Vineyards' 2023 Vermentino, which won the Governor's Cup in 2025.
A case for climate-resilient hybrids: In a new post for his WineLine newsletter, wine writer Dave McIntyre visits a 5-acre experimental plot at Linganore Winecellars in Maryland where a collection of hybrid varieties came through the April 21 freeze nearly unscathed.
Awards & Reviews
Common Wealth Crush named one of the 8 best natural wines: Common Wealth Crush landed on SevenFifty Daily's best natural wines list as recommended by buyers across the country. Anna-Korine Hada, co-owner of Brooklyn cocktail bar dokidoki, singled out their Ghost in the Scene 2024 — a blend of Chambourcin and macerated Vidal Blanc.
New Releases
Michael Shaps 2023 Petit Manseng: Michael Shaps Wineworks has released their 2023 Petit Manseng. Sourced from 30-year-old vines at Honah Lee Vineyard in the Monticello AVA, the wine is barrel fermented and aged 16 months in French oak.
CrossKeys drops two bottles: CrossKeys Vineyards has released their 2025 Cabernet Franc and 2025 Touriga.
Revalation 2025 Viognier: Revalation Vineyards has released their 2025 Viognier exclusively for Wine Club members — aromatic with pronounced floral notes, ripe melon, and bright acidity.
Behind the Scenes
Harvest 2026 picks up steam: Stone Tower Winery toasted their first pick of the season — 3.2 tons of Pinot Noir destined for rosé. Early Mountain was out early in the Sauvignon Blanc rows as the vintage got underway. Chatham Vineyards is filtering and bottling their 2025 Cabernet Sauvignon to make room for what's coming. And Pollak Vineyards reports a few clusters of Pinot Gris still on the vine, likely headed for harvest this week.
Pollak's 2026 Chardonnay goes into barrel: Pollak Vineyards has pressed their 2026 Chardonnay and transferred it into two distinct fermentation and aging programs, including 350L French oak barrels. It won't see a bottle until spring 2028.
Not a bad office view: Ankida Ridge Vineyards caught on camera a SpaceX launch over the Blue Ridge Mountains from their vineyard at daybreak. What a view!
Deals & Promotions
Walsh Harvest Lunch giveaway: Walsh Family Wine is giving away a Harvest Lunch Experience for two on September 20 to four winners. Enter via their Instagram.
Rosé the rest of summer: Southern Revere Cellars in Louisa is offering a Rosé sale through September 22 — $5 glasses daily, three bottles for $60, or a full case for $225 (25% off).
Last call 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.