Fall 2025 Vintage Report
Petit Verdot at harvest, Chestnut Oak Vineyard The regional reports for the second half of the 2025 vintage follow, these reports were compiled and edited by Jason Burrus. Thanks to all of our regional contributors for their valuable commentary on this memorable vintage! The 2024 Commercial Grape Report can be [...]
Presidents Corner Winter 2025/2026
By AJ Greely Hark Vineyards VVA President What a year! After what seemed like a return to a “normal” Virginia growing season, with rains throughout the spring and right up to harvest for much of the state, dry weather came in for most at the beginning of harvest. That said, [...]
2025 Summer Technical Meeting
Photography and writing by David Eiserman This year's Summer Technical Meeting was held at the Alison H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Winchester. This facility is managed by Virginia Tech and has been in operation for roughly 100 years. This facility's mission is to support research and [...]
Chardonnay Tasting Panel from 2025 Winter Technical Meeting
A comparative tasting of Virginia Chardonnay wines, with technical discussion from growers and winemakers. Filmed at the Virginia Vineyard Association's 2025 Winter Technical Meeting 29 February 2025 The Hotel Madison Harrisonburg, Va. Moderator: AJ Greely, VVA President, Hark Vineyards Panelists: Benoit Pineau, Pollak Vineyards Christine Vrooman, Ankida Ridge Vineyards Stephanie Pence, Brix & Columns [...]
Managing Spotted Lanternfly: A Pennsylvania Grower’s Hard-Earned Lessons
Written and edited by Jess Trapeni SLF Nymph in upper canopy June 2025 As the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) continues to expand its reach in Virginia vineyards, I wanted to share insights from a Pennsylvania grower who has spent the last five years actively managing this invasive pest and pass along [...]
Vintage Report Spring 2025
Northern Virginia Jason Burrus, Sunset Hills Vineyard Bud Break spring 2025 Sunset Hills Vineyard Following two years of moderate to severe drought, Northern Virginia continued to experience very dry conditions into 2025. Vines were already stressed when a cold spell at the end of February made the situation worse for [...]
Presidents Corner Summer 2025
As we head ever faster toward Harvest 2025, I’d like to take a moment to update you on a few things. In March, the 2024 Commercial Grape Report was released to vineyards and wineries who responded to the surveys regarding last year’s plantings and harvest. If you have not received [...]
Virginia Wine Board finalizes grant recipients for 2025
The Virginia Wine Board confirmed its selections for a new crop of research, education, and marketing grants at its May 7 meeting at Walsh Family Wine in Purcellville. In total, 15 new grants totaling $523,093 will advance the wine industry in Virginia through viticultural, enological, and pomological research; support for [...]
How to apply for a “Fruit Loss Exemption Waiver”
Frost prevention Pollak Vineyards Virginia experienced a widespread frost event this spring. Thankfully it was prior to full bud break, and most growers are reporting normal or only slightly reduced yields. Some varieties and sites were unfortunately less fortunate. Virginia ABC requires "Farm Wineries" to grow or lease a specified [...]
2025 Pesticide Collection Program
Virginia's Pesticide Collection Program assists agricultural producers with the proper disposal of unwanted pesticides. This is an event furnished by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), with participation from Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Service. 2023 Pesticide Collection Workshop in Process 2023 To [...]