DuCard Vineyards

(Been there, checked it!)

We have been growing grapes for the past decade at our property, nestled at the eastern edge of the Shenandoah National Park in the shadow of Old Rag Mountain and White Oak Canyon. Our story is best described as a “hobby gone wild,” and you can read a fun and interesting pair of Point-Counterpoint articles that my wife and I wrote recently on how we got started in this endeavor.

We initially sold our grapes to a winery up the road, and wines that included our grapes won a number of awards, including the Virginia Governor’s Cup as the best wine in the state and the Best Wine in the East (out of 1,400 entries) in another competition. So we decided to begin bottling a small amount of wine under our own label, exclusively for friends and neighbors and a small but growing email list of “fans and followers.” We are gratified that it has been well received — in fact, it has sold out completely in each of the three years it has been available.

Which brings us to today: We have expanded production and are opening to the public, with a gorgeous new tasting room at our vineyard site. In all of our operations, we strive to respect the environment and to support local businesses. We invite you to read a full description of our Stewardship practices.

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays plus Monday holidays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and by appointment. Group tours may be arranged by advance appointment and include a hands-on review of vineyard operations and a tasting of our wines, paired with complementary foods. Contact us for details. Tastings cost $5; buy two bottles and get one tasting free. You don’t get to keep the glasses.

We visited DuCard on 18 July. Here’s a link to Nancy’s post on our visit to DuCard. [Note: The tasting facility wasn't yet fully operational when we visited on a gloomy, overcast day in July. DuCard noted that their facilities weren't finished but visitors were welcome to stop by anyway. We found a beautiful facility nearing completion, with a terrific spacious tasting area featuring a marvelous floor of mixed hardwood reclaimed from local barns. We had lots of fun and enjoyed the folks at DuCard; In that spirit of (possibly overindulged) fun, Nancy wrote this review trying for a sort of Dashiell Hammett/1930's "hard-boiled detective novel" style. None of the facts are changed, but the story is dramatized just for fun. No wines were harmed in the process.] ……

All photos from this winery

Things were very quiet as we drove over the little bridge to DuCard Vineyards. Too quiet. Like no one was home. Weird, and kind of spooky.

Cautiously, we approached the tin-roofed building. There were several doors, but no knobs. Many windows, but tinted. We felt watched, vulnerable. Aware of only the nervous chirping of small, fidgety birds in the trees, the bulk of Old Rag Mountain looming in the distance.

Trying to appear nonchalant, we strolled to the back patio, casually taking in the festive yellow and red umbrellas shading black tables and chairs. We glanced back toward the building; perhaps we could slip in here? But no. Locked up tighter than a cork in a new bottle of bubbly.

The front, then. We had driven a long way, and we weren’t going to leave until we’d gotten what we’d come for.

The bathroom. And wine.

We grasped the cold bare hardware of a door knob that hadn’t yet found its mark and pulled.

“Hi!” said Marty Miller, from across the empty, airy room, with its suspiciously gleaming wood floor. “We just put it in,” said Miller. “It’s reclaimed lumber from the old barns here on the property.”

“Hmm,” we said, noncommittally.

“Want to try some wines? We just opened on Memorial Day.”

Miller, a blond with only our happiness on her mind, worked hard to sell us on her vision of the future. A sustainable operation that operates on the solar power. Local artists flogging their wares. A kiddie corner.

She started plying us with fancy wines, and we were in trouble. One after another, she poured and we drank. A dry Viognier, a rich Bordeaux blend, then the Norton, a local favorite. She must have known that was our soft spot. But we bought the Vidal Blanc instead – we like to go our own way. Plus we like a good dessert wine.

We felt her eyes on us as we headed back to our broken down jalopy. Something tells us there’s more to this DuCard story. And we’ll be back to investigate.

Signature Viognier; Gibson Hollow Viognier; Popham Run Bordeaux Blend; Virginia Native Norton; and Sweet Virginia Vidal Blanc.

Note: Our iPhone had no AT&T cell signal at DuCard, so make sure you have your GPS or directions fired up before you go!

From Washington, DC and areas North: I-66 West to Gainesville; exit Rt. 29 South to Warrenton. Exit at Business Rt. 29 to Warrenton; follow signs to Rt. 211. Take Rt. 211 West 28 miles to Sperryville, turn left on Rt. 522 into town. Stay on Rt. 522 and follow signs to Rt. 231. Go 1/2 mile, turn right on Rt. 231. Continue south for 10 miles on Rt. 231 to Etlan, then turn right on Rt. 643. Go 2.5 miles to a right on Rt. 719 (Gibson Hollow Lane).

From Charlottesville and areas South: Take Rt. 29 North to Madison; left on Business Rt. 29/Rt. 231. Turn left onto Rt. 231 North to Etlan.
Turn left on Rt. 643. Proceed 2.5 miles to a right on Rt. 719 (Gibson Hollow Lane).