In 1978, vines were first planted at what we now call Afton Mountain Vineyards, making our farm one of the first vineyards in Virginia. In those days there were only six such farm wineries in the state. We are grateful that the original owners chose such a well-suited location for viticulture, allowing us to continue to produce top quality wines over 45 years later. Since 2009, we have doubled our plantings to include 24 acres of vines, planted with 11 different varieties of Vitis vinifera grapes: Albariño, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Tannat.
Situated on the eastern slope of our namesake Afton Mountain, our vines start each morning with a front row seat to the rising sun, maximizing each plant’s daily solar exposure and ripening potential. Below the surface, here in the heart of Virginia’s Piedmont, our vineyard is rooted in what is known as dyke-loam soil; a unique mix of heavy clay and silt that formed from eons of erosion of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
At nearly 1,000 feet of elevation, we are generally able to avoid the risks of late spring frosts and we are sheltered from excessive rain by the surrounding mountain side. A prevailing breeze which flows through the nearby Rockfish and Humpback gaps acts as a natural dehumidifier, reducing the some of the challenging effects of our area’s humid climate. Growing grapes is never easy, but these features of our farm help us to produce wines that we are proud of year after year.
