Hazy Mountain is our Estate Vineyard, currently with 35 acres under vine and growing. First planted in 2019, our dreams come true in this vineyard.
The south facing slopes range in elevation from 800 feet to 1,140 feet at the mountain’s crest. Soil varies throughout the vineyard from block to block, but at its core is a very rocky loam soil from parent rock, granite gneiss. The granite ranges from pebbles to boulders, with seemingly a mountain’s worth of quartz scattered throughout the hillsides.
Our steep vineyards are perfect for shedding water and producing the finest wines. Higher density planting of 3 feet between vines, 8-foot-wide rows, and tall posts gives us as much canopy as possible.
With the southern exposure, very rocky, well-drained soil, and excess of room for canopy to grow, we truly believe this site will blow away any doubts that the finest wines in the world can be produced right here in Virginia
After moving to Charlottesville from Houston, Texas, in 1995, we purchased the original 327 acre farm in 1996. In late 1998, a young man named Tom Vandenberg, knocked on our door and asked if he could lease ten acres for a vineyard. Sparked by his curiosity and research, we did our homework, and soon hired a vineyard consultant. A nursery in California had a few extra vines, so six months of hard work later, our first eight acres of vines had been planted.
Initially the plan was to simply sell the fruit, but in the interest of learning as much as possible, we decided to make wine with a portion of the harvest and sell the rest. 480 cases in 2000 became 1,050 cases by 2001, and it all sold! After a quick visit to California for ideas, we designed our winery on the back of a napkin and by October 1, 2002 opened our real, honest-to-goodness winery. Since then both the vineyard and the business have grown.
Lovingston Winery opened in 2003 as a small batch 100% estate grown vineyard and winery located in the rolling countryside of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Originally built as a family residence in 1906 by the Stevens family, tobacco and cattle were primary business drivers – like much of Central Virginia – as the rolling hills and red clay and granite soil was prime and fertile for farming.
In 2003, the Lovingston Winery and Josie’s Knoll Vineyard came to fruition with the first planting of five acres of vines. Named after Josie Stevens, the original matriarch of the property, the vineyard focused on Bordeaux varietals of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, two staples in Virginia wine.
It was not long before the vineyard welcomed expansion with the addition of Petit Verdot, Chambourcin, and the South African varietal, Pinotage as well as three white varietals: Chardonnay, Seyval Blanc, and Petit Manseng. Even through growth, the winery has stayed true to its belief that great wines come through cultivation and care in the vineyard above all else.
Andrew and Patricia met and fell in love in Nottingham, England while Andrew was a young Neurologist and Patricia was a nurse. Their careers brought them to the east coast of the U.S. in the early 1970s, where they stayed until settling in Florida in the 1990’s. After successfully raising their three children and and at the height of their careers they decided to take a leap of faith and pursue their passion, wine. In 1999 they bought Saddleback Farm, which at the time was a simple horse and cattle farm. Patricia saw the potential in the land and planted several acres of grapes with a wish and prayer.
By 2001, they had their first vintage ready for production. That year, Andrew tried his hand at winemaking with great success and their love for the Virginia wine industry blossomed. Since then, Patricia and Andrew have worked tirelessly to expand on their vision, bringing Veritas into the world of events and the fine hospitality at the Farmhouse.The business is truly a family affair as they have been joined by all three of their children in the running and development of the business.
Embark on a vinous voyage to Ankida Ridge Vineyards! Discover the path to wine paradise with our easy-to-follow directions and explore our hours of operation for your convenience. Whether you’re charting your course for a leisurely wine tasting or planning a memorable visit with friends and family, our doors are open to welcome you. Join us on this journey of taste and exploration as we navigate the world of wine together. Cheers to the adventure that awaits at Ankida Ridge Vineyards!
Amherst, Virginia. Elevation 1,825 Feet
Guests to our family farm enjoy stunning views, warm hospitality, and carefully crafted wines which reflect our singular philosophy:
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.
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