This past Saturday, April 5th, we embarked on a barrel tasting adventure through six Loudoun wineries—four new discoveries and two familiar favorites. The experience offered not just delicious wine, but a deeper understanding of how Virginia’s terroir shapes its distinctive vintages and a fascinating education in winemaking.

Throughout the day, we learned how barrels from different origins—American, French, and Hungarian oak—each impart unique flavors to the aging wine. We discovered that older “neutral” barrels have less influence on flavor as they’ve already released much of their oak character in previous uses. Perhaps most interesting was gaining insight into which grape varieties thrive in Virginia’s sometimes challenging climate, with its heat and unpredictable rainfall patterns.

Here are my takeaways from our day away from all the noise.

Zephaniah Farm Vineyard: History in Every Glass

Our journey began at Zephaniah Fram Vineyard, a stunning property that’s been in the same family for 75 years, centered around a main house dating back to 1819. The highlight was comparing three vintages of Cabernet Franc (2020, 2022, and 2023) side by side—a rare educational opportunity that perfectly showcased how weather conditions from year to year dramatically influence flavor profiles. The vertical tasting revealed how the same grape varietal can express itself so differently based on the growing season, with each vintage highlighting different characteristics.

Willowcroft Farm Vineyards: Loudoun’s Pioneer

As the first winery established in Loudoun County, Willowcroft Farm Vineyards carries the legacy of regional winemaking. Perched atop Mount Gilliad, the rustic tasting room offers breathtaking views that complement the wines perfectly. We sampled their Assemblage blend, Cabernet Franc, and Chambourcin—each expressing the unique character of Virginia’s wine country.

Greenhill Vineyards: Sophistication in Middleburg

Greenhill Vineyards impressed with its upscale setting and gorgeous barrel room. Meeting Winemaker Ben and General Manager Jed provided fascinating insights into their philosophy of emphasizing quality and embracing Virginia’s distinctive terroir rather than trying to mimic wines from other regions. Their Nebbiolo, made from grapes sourced from a vineyard south of Loudoun, was my personal favorite of the day. We also enjoyed their Petit Verdot (a Virginia mainstay) and Merlot, both excellent examples of the state’s winemaking potential.

Carriage House Wineworks: Small-Scale Excellence in Historic Waterford

The most intimate stop on our tour was Carriage House Wineworks in charming Historic Waterford. The owners and winemaker welcomed us personally, sharing their passion for crafting exceptional wines. We tasted two Merlots, an Estate Petit Verdot, a Reserve Petit Verdot, and a Port. The Reserve Petit Verdot—a gold medal winner at the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition—was particularly notable. We learned that Petit Verdot is rarely produced as a single-varietal wine in California, making Virginia’s success with it distinctive. Equally fascinating was discovering how grapes grown just a few hundred feet apart on neighboring properties can produce markedly different flavor profiles.

8 Chains North Winery: The Art of Barrel Aging

At 8 Chains North Winery, we explored the impact of barrel aging through comparative tastings of two Merlots and two Cabernet Sauvignons. Each pair featured one wine from an older, neutral barrel and another from a new barrel, which has more influence on the wine’s flavor. This side-by-side comparison provided a masterclass in how barrel selection dramatically shapes a wine’s character and complexity.

During our visit, we had the opportunity to chat with the owner, who shared valuable insights about their vineyard. He explained that their strongest performer is Albariño, a grape variety that thrives in Virginia’s challenging climate with its heat and periods of significant rainfall. He also mentioned their promising experiments with Syrah, which will be bottled later this year—an exciting development for Virginia wine enthusiasts to look forward to.

Two Twisted Posts Winery: A Familiar Finish

We concluded our journey at Two Twisted Posts Winery, a familiar favorite that has become our go-to winery for good reason. Not only do we love the people who own and operate this gem, but we genuinely enjoy almost every wine they produce—a rare find indeed. Their consistent quality and warm hospitality make each visit worth the drive.

Reflections on Virginia Wine Country

Having first tried Virginia wines a bit more than 30 years ago, I am struck by the remarkable improvement and emerging dedication to the craft. The barrel tasting event offered not just delicious wines but education and connection—meeting the people behind the bottles and learning their stories adds immeasurable depth to the experience of enjoying their creations.

I look forward to continuing to follow Loudoun’s winemaking progress as those dedicated to this art learn more about coaxing the best expressions from what Virginia’s lands have to offer. The wineries of Loudoun contribute greatly to what makes the county unique and a great place to live.