Located in Winchester, VA
Can you provide a brief overview of the history and founding of your winery?
In 2013, we planted hybrid grapes that were just released from Cornell University called Arandell. Since our passion was to produce organic wine, this grape was more resistant to disease than any other, making it the grape of choice for our vineyard. We also planted other hybrids changing the typical winery profile of French vinifera grapes. Today, we cultivate some of the oldest vines of this grape variety in the world. Our Arandell wine, our best seller, has won numerous international awards.
What inspired the establishment of your winery, and how has it evolved over the years?
Our goal was to produce healthy grapes, award winning wines, in the most simplistic of fashion. Creating clean wines with little intervention, a beneficial habitat for our resident good bugs, limited chemicals, and most importantly the balancing of our soil. While we are no longer certified organic, we still practice biodynamic agriculture and still use organic sprays, with limited conventional farming.
Are there any unique stories or anecdotes associated with the founding of your winery?
We are one of the first commercial producers of the Arandell gape at 100% varietal. We will be in the Book “Wine Grapes” in its next release with several of our Arandell wines included in there.
Can you highlight a few of your flagship or signature wines and what makes them stand out?
Arandell Some of the oldest vines in the world. Rating superior/distinguished by Julia Harding Sparking Winchester made from Cayuga grapes in a champagne style gold medal wine Agathosune an orange wine that received 91 points from the American Wine Society Chocolate Red- a chocolate wine made from 100% Arandell grapes that had rocked every festival we have been in
Are there any particular vintages that you are especially proud of, and why?
We are looking forward to our 2021 Sparkling wine as we added Pinot Meunier in the blend this year. Our first year with this French grape being included in a blend. Sparking Winchester is a lovely sparkling wine winning multiple awards before the introduction of PM.
How do you approach the creation of new wine varieties or blends?
We love to experiment. We are known for small batch unique wines. We sell out of our wines long before they reach maturity.
Are there specific grape varieties that thrive in your vineyards, and why were they chosen?
All the hybrids do well. Arandell. La crescent, Marquette, Cayuga white, All the French varietals struggle. We chose hybrid grapes so that our chemical use was limited.
Describe the atmosphere and experience visitors can expect at your tasting room.
We are a small boutique winery. We love to share our passion with our customers. Our priority is to make excellent wines giving our customers a unique experience in service and wines.
Are there any unique events or activities that you host for visitors at your winery?
From ballroom dancing and entertainment by various musicians to Irish dancers, yoga in the vines, and special dinners, we offer a range of events, including several for non-profits.
What do you hope guests take away from their visit to your winery?
A beautiful winery with award winning unique wines and a team of educated servers willing to help guide you through a tasting and owners who truly care about your experience at the vineyard.
Do you have any specific recommendations for food pairings with your wines?
Our chocolate wine with Black Forest cake.
Are there certain dishes or cuisines that complement your wine portfolio particularly well?
Whether it's a big steak, fresh fish, BBQ, escargot, or duck, we have a wine to complement just about any dish you can think of.
How do you help customers enhance their dining experiences with your wines?
We provide wine education, guiding them to select the perfect wines to complement their meals and preferred tastes.
How does your winery engage with the local community?
We have many local fundraisers and allow the free use of our vineyard for several events.
Are there sustainability initiatives or practices your winery is involved in?
Absolutely. We practice sustainable farming and use insectaries, bat boxes, composing, and limited spraying. Our practices involve the use of the biodynamic calendar and the timing of the earth's cycles.
Do you support any charitable or environmental causes?
Yes, we support the women’s shelter in Winchester and several animal rescue leagues for dogs, horses, and cats. Additionally, we donate to various organizations that contribute to the community in different ways.
To learn more about Briede Family Vineyards, visit their website here!
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About the VWDC
Established by the Virginia General Assembly in 2007, the Virginia Winery Distribution Company (VWDC) is a non-profit, non-stock corporation housed within the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to provide wholesale wine distribution services for licensed Virginia wineries and farm wineries.