Abingdon Vineyards
Located in the town of the same name, two hours south of Roanoke off of Interstate 81, just north of the border with North Carolina. Abingdon was founded in 2001 by retired engineers, Bob Carlson & Janet Nordin. In 2018 The founders sold the vineyard to transplanted northern Californians Loren and Elizabeth Gardner. Loren is a native of Napa Valley, where he helped build several wineries after graduating from the University of California at Davis, while Stanford graduate Elizabeth is a Certified Natural Chef and Master Gardener, among other things.
Wine. Tier II. At the 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup, the annual state-wide wine competition, the Abingdon 2018 vintage “Game Changer” (a multi-varietal red blend) and 2020 “Hindsight” (a sweet wine) were awarded silver medals. The Honeysuckle 2018 vintage was awarded a silver medal at the 2021 Governor’s Cup, while the 2017 Game Changer Reserve, 2019 Riverside Rosé, and 2017 “Pioneer” (a port-style wine) came away with bronze medals at the event. At the prestigious 2020 San Francisco International Wine Competition, the Abingdon Tawny Red and Chardonnel were awarded bronze medals. There are nine different varietals grown here on 13 acres, including Traminette, Chardonel, Chambourcin and Riesling. Much of the grape crop of 2020 was lost due to a late frost on the vines.
Setting. Three stars. Voted among Virginia’s 10 Most Beautiful Wineries. For a striking riverside vineyard in southwest Virginia. This winery is located near several of the region’s best trails and therefore is ideal for lovers of wildlife and nature.
Stories. Daniel Boone and the Kentucky Frontier. Until after the Revolutionary War, the Colony and then State of Virginia included the area of present-day Kentucky. Far southwestern Virginia was essentially closed to European settlers, especially after the French and Indian Wars, with Cherokee and then Shawnee tribes fiercely defending their territories. European settlement became possible after Daniel Boone blazed his Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap, near the junction of the Tennessee and Virginia borders, in 1775. Kentucky was established as a County of Virginia in December 1776, and became a separate state only in 1791. Before the end of the 18th century, more than 200,000 Americans migrated to Kentucky/Virginia by following the route marked by Boone. Boone remains an iconic figure in American history. He was a legend in his own lifetime, especially after account of his adventures was published in 1784, framing him as the typical American frontiersman. After his death, Boone became the subject of many heroic tall tales and works of fiction. Many watched the network series of his adventures, starring Fess Parker, which ran from 1964 to 1970. Boone, who had grown up in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, would spend many years in Virginia, including as a legislator and Sheriff. In 1760 his dogs were attacked by a pack of wolves during a hunting expedition; he stopped and helped settle what he called “Wolf Hills,” the site of future Abingdon. Much of Abingdon harks back to the frontier days when Daniel Boone first came through. Main Street is lined with buildings and homes that date back to 1779. At the Barter Theater, theater patrons can still barter for a ticket.