Chateau Morrisette Winery
The Chateau Morrisette Winery is located in the city of Floyd, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia, and near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Founded in 1980 by David Morrisette (with the first vines planted in 1978), Chateau Morrisette is among the half-dozen oldest wineries in the state. The original label when the winery started was Woolwine Winery. It is also one of Virginia’s two largest winemakers, along with Prince Michel Winery, producing some 60,000 cases of wine a year. It is now owned by the second generation of the family, David and Melissa Morrisette.
Wine. One of the Top 100 wineries in Virginia. Morrisette produces a mind-boggling 34 different wines, so one can taste many different combinations depending on one’s tastes. Château Morrisette’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded a gold medal at the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup annual state-wide wine competition, while their 2022 vintage Petit Verdot, 2023 Vidal Blanc and Chambourcin received silver medals. The winery’s 2021 vintage “Archival XII” red blend was a gold medalist at the 2024 Governor’s Cup, while their Petit Manseng and Vidal Blanc entries received silver medals. The Chateau Morrisette non-vintage Black Dog won a Gold Medal at the 2019 Finger Lakes Wine Competition. Grapes are sourced both from the estate’s own 13 acres of vines, and from other grape growers across Virginia.
Setting. Three stars. Voted one of Virginia’s 10 Most Beautiful Wineries. Elevated, scenic views. You can go on a tour of the vineyard and have a meal from the Chateau Morrisette restaurant outside on the patio overlooking the mountains. The winery building is made from salvaged timber. Morrisette is also known as a canine haven: four legged friends are welcome to join owners at the winery, and dogs make their appearance on many wine labels here.
Stories. Bluegrass Music in Virginia. In August, Chateau Morrisette hosts the Black Dog Beach Music Festival, a major celebration of bluegrass music. Bluegrass, Country and Old-Time music are an important piece of Virginia’s culture and history. Old-Time music blended Scots-Irish fiddle traditions with the banjo, a descendant of African musical instruments. The founding fathers of Bluegrass often made their names by innovating how the banjo was played. The heart of Virginia Bluegrass country is in the state’s southwest, along The Crooked Road — Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. This 333-mile driving route through the Appalachian Mountains from the Blue Ridge to the Coalfields region follows U.S. Route 58, and connects major heritage music venues in the region such as the Blue Ridge Music Center, Birthplace of Country Music Alliance, and the Carter Family Fold. The traditional gospel, bluegrass, and mountain music heard today was passed down from the generations and lives on through a wealth of musicians and instrument makers along the trail. Annual festivals, weekly concerts, live radio shows, and informal jam sessions abound throughout the region. Since 2003, The Crooked Road has branded the region as a unique place with one of the richest musical traditions and cultures in the world. In 2015, Virginia Tech prepared a report that estimated The Road’s economic impact: estimates are that marketing by The Crooked Road facilitates $6.4 million of spending annually, from which an equivalent of over one hundred full-time jobs are derive, with $2 million of wages. Indirect annual impacts are estimated at approximately $9 million. And it sounds good.