Goochland, Virginia
Est. in 2012

Elk Island Winery was founded by the Klinefelter family in 2012. It is named after the 1300-acre island in the James River, originally part of Thomas Jefferson’s Elk Farm, which is adjacent to their farm. Co-owner Crista Klinefelter shared, “Our love for agriculture and rural living resulted in the planting of our first four acres of vines on site, consisting mainly of Norton, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc.”

Elk Island Winery is a second-generation family business. The business was started by Crista’s father-in-law, a farmer with an interest in trying his hand at growing grapes, who now resides as the red wine maker and whose wife is the resident white wine maker. Their winery is proud to do everything from harvesting and crushing, to winemaking, bottling, labeling, and working the tasting room to ensure top-quality production.

They produce and sell Norton, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chambourcin, Vidal Blanc, Tannat, and more varietals from their vineyard. But their best seller is the Vidal Blanc.

When asked a fun fact about the winery, Crista shared, “Our tasting room is actually in the home that my husband grew up in. It has a very warm and inviting feel, being nestled in the woods right off Route 6.”

Visit the winery at 5759 River Road West. Goochland, Virginia 23063. Find their hours and more information at https://elkislandwinery.com/visit/our-story/.