The ownership transition at Veritas Vineyard & Winery (Afton) is turning out to be a bigger story than originally reported.
The winery officially changed hands, and short version of the story is that George Hodson is stepping back and a new CEO is coming in with an ambitious vision. The full details are in ‘Wine News’ below.
Virginia Wine Month is right around the corner and the calendar is jam-packed.
This week alone there’s a Sicilian dinner at Barboursville, a wine-on-the-rails adventure in Louisa County, an oyster roast, the Bull Run Wine Festival and more!
Open your calendar. Let's get into it.
In this week’s edition
🎉 Events: A Sicilian dinner at Barboursville, wine on the rails, an oyster roast, and more — this weekend is packed
🍾 Bottle of the Week: Early Mountain’s 2023 Petit Manseng
🍷 New Releases: Revalation Vineyards’ 2024 Merlot
📰 News: Veritas gets a new CEO and a new $35M estate soft launches in Monticello.
🌱 Behind the Scenes: An impressive 12-vintage vertical of Linden’s Hardscrabble red.
💰Deals & Promotions: 15% off Early Mountain's Discovery Set
A note from James:
Last week, I received this email: “Could you put the name of the town in parentheses whenever you name a winery?” It’s a great idea and I am going to start doing that! Thank you reader Janet S. for the suggestion! Email me here if you have any ideas.
Events
This Week (September 23-29):
Valley Road's 10th Anniversary Weekend: Valley Road Vineyards (Afton) is marking a decade with two events worth knowing about. On September 25, they’ll host an intimate anniversary dinner from Chef Kari Hogan of The Local. On September 26, two seated sessions offer a Cabernet Franc vertical across four vintages, including their sold-out 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve, winner of the 2026 Virginia Governor's Cup.
Sicilian Evening at Barboursville: Barboursville Vineyards (Barboursville) is hosting a Sicilian four-course dinner on September 25, led by Chef Michael Clough. It’s a Thursday night worth blocking off.
Bull Run Fall Wine Festival: The Fall Bull Run Wine Festival returns September 26-27 at The Winery at Bull Run (Centreville). More than a dozen wineries are pouring, including Barrel Oak, Pollak, Ovoka Farm, Ingleside, and North Mountain Vineyard. A portion of proceeds benefits military survivor families.
Great Norton Gathering: Chateau MerrillAnne (Orange) is hosting the 2026 Great Norton Gathering on September 26, featuring pours from 53rd Winery, Woodbrook Farm Winery, Nokesville Winery and Piedmont Meadows Winery.
Wine on the rails: Hardware Hills Vineyard (Louisa) has partnered with Virginia Scenic Railway for a Sip and Savor adventure on September 26, departing from Louisa. Tastings aboard a moving train through the Virginia countryside.
Oyster Roast: Saudé Creek Vineyards (Lancaster) is hosting a Cork-N-Brew Oyster Roast on September 26, 11am–6pm, with oysters, food trucks, and live music.
Next Week (September 30-October 7):
Wine Down for a Cause: Willowsford Conservancy (Ashburn) is hosting a Virginia wine tasting and silent auction on October 1 at the Willowsford Farm Stand benefiting the Dulles South Food Pantry.
Haunted Wine Tours: The Winery at Bull Run (Centreville) is launching Haunted Wine Tours starting September 29, running through November 1. Spooky season meets Virginia wine.
Bottle of the Week
Early Mountain Vineyards — 2023 Petit Manseng
Blue Ridge Foothills • Petit Manseng • $55.25
Why it’s here
Two weeks ago I did a tasting at Early Mountain and was blown away by this wine. At the time I wrote, in all caps “PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE.” Decanter gave it 95 points and called it "a benchmark for the state” and I agree. Nearly full malolactic fermentation and extended lees aging give the wine a creamy, weighty density that's unusual for a white. It's also on sale right now!
Tasting notes
🍋 Preserved lemon & orange blossom • 🍑 Peach and tropical fruit • 🍍 Pineapple • 🥐 Brioche and tarragon • 🪨 Flint and baking spice
Wine News
Veritas gets a new CEO after all
The leadership transition at Veritas Vineyard & Winery (Afton) runs deeper than first reported.
As reported by The Daily Progress, George Hodson, the son of Veritas founders Andrew and Patricia Hodson, is stepping back to be a consultant and "family ambassador." He’s also leaving both the Virginia Wineries Association and the Monticello Wine Trail.
Incoming CEO Andy Murphy plans to lean heavily into Veritas' hospitality reputation: more rooms, a stronger restaurant, and more. Allison Jones Evanow, the new CCO, introduced herself to the Virginia wine community on social media.
Emily Hodson stays as chief winemaker.
In other news:
A new winery in Monticello: Yapita Winery (Earlysville) has quietly opened to the public in the Monticello AVA, just north of Charlottesville . Owners Tom and Jenny Becherer farm just under five acres of Albariño and Chardonnay on a working property that also runs longhorn cattle. Visits by appointment only for now.
A $35M estate on the Monticello Trail: Mount Pleasant, a 1,865-acre estate in southern Albemarle County, has hit the market for $35 million, per The Daily Mail.
Behind the Scenes
12 vintages of Hardscrabble: Wine Trails and Wanderlust published a 12-vintage vertical of Linden Vineyards (Linden)'s flagship Hardscrabble red, tasting through 2012–2023. Key takeaways: the 2023 vintage may be Jim Law's best yet.
More from the harvest floor: Across Virginia, the harvest story is continuing to unfold. At DuCard Vineyards (Etlan), reduced yields prompted a return to the old ways — the team dusted off a basket press that's been dormant since the winery's founding. At Linden Vineyards (Linden), Jim Law is navigating a complicated white wine harvest — environmental pressure has shortened the crop, but he's cautiously optimistic about what ends up in the fermenters.
New Releases
Revalation's 2024 Merlot: Revalation Vineyards (Madison) has released their 2024 Merlot — described as layered, ripe, and structured.
Deals & Promotions
Early Mountain's Discovery Set: Early Mountain Vineyards (Madison) is offering their Discovery Set — three bottles for $76.50 (down from $90). The collection covers all the bases: their 2024 Five Forks white blend, the 2025 Rosé, and the 2024 Foothills red. A good entry point for the winery, and a solid fall gift.
Free tickets to Bull Run Wine Festival: The Winery at Bull Run (Centreville) is giving away four festival tickets — two winners, each plus a guest — to this weekend's Fall Wine Festival (September 26 or 27, noon to 5pm).