Located in Louisa, just off of Interstate 64 64 between Richmond and Charlottesville. Southern Revere is a small family owned and operated Farm Brewery and Winery on over 70 picturesque rolling acres. The winery opened its doors in December 2021. Owners are Jason and Sheridan Grime, who purchased the property in 2018. Southern Revere is named after local Virginia folk hero, Jack Jouett, who during the Revolutionary War, made a daring 40-mile dash on horseback to Monticello, the home of Virginia Governor, Thomas Jefferson, to sound the alarm that British forces were on their way to capture the Founding Father. The winery states they “have it on good authority that Jack Jouett, later dubbed the Paul Revere of the South, used to frequent his father’s Louisa tavern. So, in homage to local history and Jack’s proclivity for superior libations, Southern Revere celebrates our road’s namesake by being Rooted in Tradition, Crafted with Ambition.”
Wine. Tier III. Southern Revere grows Chambourcin and Chardonel, an unusual combination, on its small vineyards. Both are bottled as stand-alone varietals, including a deep-hued Rosé from the Chambourcin, Other wines are produced from grapes sourced from elsewhere in Virginia. There is considerably more focus on beer than wine here.
Setting. One star. The winery features an intimate tasting room experience in the scenic countryside of Louisa County. The Tasting Room is in a modern rustic barn, with tables set on an expansive covered patio or on the grounds overlooking the farm, pond, vineyard, and hops field.
Located in Catharpin, Prince William County, north of Manassas and Interstate 66. The small winery opened in October 2024. It is owned by Virginia wine veteran and VMI graduate Ashton Lough, who is also the winemaker at Three Creeks Winery in Loudoun County (and the owner of Whistle Pig Cidery), and former winemaker at The Winery at Bull Run and Pearmund Cellars.
Wine. Tier II, but likely to soon be one of Northern Virginia’s better wineries, given Ashton Lough’s track record. The inaugural bottlings received a pair of silver medals at the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup, for the 2021 vintage Chardonnay and 2023 Cabernet Franc. Current offerings include three white wines — Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and a Vidal Blanc, five red wines – a blend, a Tannat, Merlot, a Cabernet Franc and a Cabernet Sauvignon, and a sparkling wine. Grapes are sourced from elsewhere in the state, including some vineyards owned by Ashton. Lough plans to make about 500 to 600 cases per year.
Setting. The winery is located in Lough’s hay barn, which he remodeled to include a tasting bar, a sitting area, and his wine production area. The winery is currently (Spring 2025) open on Friday and Saturday afternoons only. What Private Label lacks in views is made up for by the opportunity to interact with one of Virginia’s foremost winemakers.
Located near Route 28 in Nokesville, Prince William County, an hour southwest of Washington. Nokesville Winery opened in 2023 and is a small family-owned and operated farm winery and three-acre vineyard located in the heart of Nokesville. Owners Tara and Dustin Miner manage the show, with Dustin having trained at Chrysalis Vineyards in Loudoun County (outside of his Prince William firefighter job). The winery is focused on soil-to-bottle production.
Wine. Tier III. Nokesville’s new vineyard currently grows six vine varieties: Chambourcin, Tannat, Sangiovese, Cayuga, Pinot Gris, and Albariño. Wine is now being made from grapes sourced elsewhere in Virginia, including all these varietals and the Virginia-native Norton. There is a sparkling white and a pair of red blends, and for a small and newly established winery, Nokesville offers a wide range of drinking options.
Setting. Nokesville focuses on its small batch wines, and not on creating views or an event destination. The winery is in a converted shed, where one can take a private winery tour ($50) and tasting experience with the owner or winemaker. Kid and pet friendly. The winery is open only on weekends (unless by appointment), but Nokesville’s wines can also be picked up locally at Aden Grocery, Messick’s Farm Market, or Nokesville Meats.
Located in Linden, Fauquier County, to the north of Interstate 66 and to the east of the village of Linden. Opened in 2023 by owner Tom Herrity, who had a personal dream to own a vineyard and make great wine. His wife Deanna came from a family background of winemaking practice, with her brother Dominick Fioresi acting as the winemaker for Crimson Lane. The Herritys bought the property in 2014 and planted the vineyard several years later. Note that this is a winery that requests visits by reservation only.
Wine. Tier II. Crimson Lane Vineyards’ current releases include an Albariño, two Chardonnays and several red blends. Their vineyard has been producing grapes since 2018, allowing Crimson to serve 100% estate wine from the day they opened. Prior to working at Crimson Lane, winemaker Dominick was at Ingleside Plantation Vineyards, then a vineyard manager and cellar master at Delaplane Cellars, and then an apprentice winegrower at Linden Vineyards under the famed Jim Law. The names of their two main red wines, Collina and Parral, reference the key factors behind their success. Collina means ‘hill’, a reference to the terroir which gives their wines a sense of place. Parral is named after the Mexican hometown of their seasonal vineyard crew, nearly all members of an extended family who return year after year.
Setting. One star. Excellent views from the hilltop tasting room over a valley and onto the Blue Ridge foothills beyond. Visits by reservation only. Note that tastings are on the expensive side, and there is a $60 minimum per person if you don’t want to do an organized tasting.
Located on Snickersville Turnpike, technically in Round Hill, though in practice closer to the village of Bluemont, on the western edges of Loudoun County. Good Spirit Farm’s name was derived from the translation of owners Mike and Luanne’s last name, Gutermuth, and features a family-owned winery, 42 acres of farmland, a garden, and guest house. The Guttermuth’s enjoyed Virginia wine during their first government/corporate career, and decided to make opening a winery their next adventure, teaching themselves the ropes. The winery opened in 2024.
Wine. One of the top 50 wineries of Northern Virginia. The first batch of Good Spirit wines are now available for tasting. There are three whites (Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, and Pinot Gris), a rosé, and four reds: a Cabernet Franc, a Petit Verdot, a Cabernet Sauvignon, and a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. An Albariño, a Traminette, a Merlot, a Malbec, and Sparkling Wine are available by the bottle. The inaugural Good Spirit Albariño vintage, from 2023, was awarded a gold medal at the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup, as well as at the Best of Loudoun wine competition for 2024.
Setting. Large, airy, modern wood-style tasting room. Views over the vineyard and foothills of the Blue Ridge. Food is available, but you can bring your own food as well, along with your children and leashed dog.
Located on Milltown Road in Lovettsville on 10 acres of land purchased in 2018. The winery’s soft opening was in June 2024. Domaine Fortier Vineyards is a boutique winery opened by Dr. Stephen Fortier and Jennifer Volk-Fortier focused on small lot, hand-crafted, high-quality wines. The Fortiers are fans of the Virginia wine scene without prior wine experience, and decided to ‘pursue the dream’ of opening their own winery. The winery is supported by Nate Walsh of Walsh Family wines, who is currently producing their wines.
Wine. One of the top 100 wineries in Virginia. This new winery has already started making its mark on the Virginia scene, thanks to the help of long-time Loudoun County producer and current Domaine Fortier winemaker Nate Walsh. The Domaine Fortier 2023 Albariño was awarded a gold medal at the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup annual state-wide wine tasting competition. At the 2024 Governor’s Cup, two Domaine Fortier wines received silver medals: their 2020 vintage Chardonnay and Petit Manseng. A Cabernet Franc from 2017 vintage grapes was awarded a gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle nation-wide wine competition in 2024. The initial wines have been made from purchased Virginia grapes, to be gradually replaced as their own vines mature. Plantings include Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Tannat and Norton. Setting. Currently a large outdoor roofed pavilion area with a French theme for tasting, open from May through November. Nice views of the vineyards and the Short Hill mountains on one side and the Furnace mountains on the other. Smallish indoor space for the offseason.
Located in Hillsboro, off of Charlestown Pike. Set on a 130-acre farm, the heart of Kalero Vineyard is its historic 2,400 square foot 1834-era Heartstone Barn, named for a heart-shaped stone found on the property by the owners’ twin daughters. The property was purchased in 2015 by Ann Fortin, who has a background in Interior Decorating, after which the old Barn was restored and vineyards planted. The tasting room opened in 2024.
Wine. Tier III. Kalero’s initial offerings include three white wines (a Viognier, a Chardonnay, and a Sauvignon Blanc), a Rosé, and two red wines (a Petit Verdot and a Cabernet Franc). The winery is also offering tastings of some California wines. Setting: The fully restored historic barn, after an extensive renovation, serves as both a tasting room and an event space. Kalero is marketing itself as a wedding destination, so check for closures due to private events.
Located on Short Hill Road in Purcellville, this winery is re-opening in April 2025. Savitha and Hari Moosani, of Indian background, lived in Potomac Falls for nearly 25 years, and moved to this former horse farm in 2021. Bob and Teri Riggs, the owners of Forever Farm and Vineyard down the road, encouraged Hari to start growing grapes and to make wine. In May 2022, they planted cabernet sauvignon grapes, and worked with Nate Walsh of Walsh Family Wine for their first batch of cabernet sauvignon.
Wine. Tier III. Four wines are available from the winery’s first harvest, all vintage 2023. The only white is a White Oak blend. The three reds are a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Cabernet Franc, and a Bordeaux-style red blend.
Setting. One star. Nestled in the foothills of Short Hill Mountain. The former horse barn has been remodeled into a tasting room. The barn now has an extended deck for enjoying the mountain views, seating inside and a bar serving area. The tasting room officially opened April 25 and is for now open for business just on the weekends. There is a B&B on the property.
Tour #2.
Go for the Best – Top Wineries an hour from Washington: A BS Northern VA Case.
Need to make it a short outing? No problem: there are many great wineries only an hour from Washington, DC. Here are the BS top 12 to fill a case.
1. Linden Vineyards
2. RDV Vineyard
3. The Barns at Hamilton Station
4. Fabbioli Cellars
5. Delaplane Cellars
6. Gray Ghost Vineyards and Winery
7. Effingham Manor Winery
8. Paradise Springs Winery
9. Pearmund Cellars
10. Ducard Vineyard
11. Potomac Point Winery
12. Doukenie Winery
Apologies are due here to some of Maryland’s finest. The guide, and the ratings, are only for Virginia wines. There are some good Maryland wines less than an hour from Washington. Those, however, will require more research. In any case, the view on “Top Wines an hour from Washington” is just BS.
