Contact: Stan Joynes, CEO & Co-Founder
9264 Critzers Shop Road,
Afton, VA 22920
tel: (540) 456-6350
email: info@valleyroadwines.com
website: www.valleyroadwines.com

Winery Story:
Founded in 2015, Valley Road Vineyards was conceived by a group of friends who brought talents from successful careers in law, advertising, insurance, real estate development, and writing, among others. With our mutual love of Virginia and a shared desire to support the emerging Virginia wine industry, we thought a vineyard and tasting room operation in the heart of the Monticello American Viticulture Area (AVA) would be a good choice for our next chapter together.

We found the ideal site for both a new vineyard and a tasting room, and featuring stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, on Virginia Route 151 at the head of the Rockfish Valley in Afton, just 15 minutes west of Charlottesville, Virginia. We planted our first four acres of vines in the spring of 2016, and we bottled our first wines from Monticello AVA fruit that same year.  Since that time, we have added a number of outdoor seating areas, converted our Barn to a magnificent event space, created two outdoor wedding venues, and we have added two additional vineyards for a total of 17 acres under vine.

Winemaking Philosophy:
Our intention is to make and sell good, medium-to-higher priced wines in keeping with the reputation and prevailing price structure of the Monticello AVA.  We offer an array of wines that includes the principal Virginia white and red varietals, a Bordeaux-style red blend, a Rosé, and two sparkling wines.  Though we offer off-dry wine to provide an option for the portion of our clientele that desires something a bit sweeter, Valley Road Vineyard wines will be dry in character.  We strive not to release our red wines earlier than 18 months post-crush, and most have received more aging than that.  

Valley Road believes that good wine begins in the vineyard with great fruit.  Grayson Poats, General Manager, oversees all aspects of our three vineyards in the Monticello AVA: one planted in 2016 comprising just under 4 acres on the south end of our Afton campus (Albemarle County) with four roughly equally sized blocks of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot; a second planted in 2021 on the north end of the Afton campus comprising 6 acres of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Albariño; and a third comprising about 6 acres under vine near Lovingston in Nelson County, which we refer to as “Mountain Glen,” where we cultivate Chambourcin, Merlot, Chardonnay, Viognier, Petit Manseng, and Petit Verdot.   

Wines Typically Available:
Sparkling – Sparkling Viognier (Fête) and Sparkling Rosé (Joie)

Whites – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Destana (dry blend), Mountain Glen White (off-dry blend)

Rosé – Rosé (dry, Provençal-style) and Mountain Glen Rosé (off dry)

Reds – Torn Curtain (dry blend featuring Chambourcin), Cabernet Franc, Meritage, Petit Verdot, and Mountain Glen Red (off dry)

Dessert – Trillium (dessert-style late-harvest Petit Manseng)

Hours:
Open 7 Days a week.
Monday- Friday: Noon to 5:30 pm (Fridays to 7:30pm April – October)
Saturday & Sunday: 10:30am to 5:30pm
Closed on Christmas Day.

Tasting Fee:
Tasting Flights vary by season; prices range from $9.95 to $15.95.
Bottle and Glass sales offered.
Private Tastings are available only by appointment and typically cost $25 plus tax and gratuity; call 540-456-6350

Group Tasting Policy:
Private Group Tasting available only by appointment and typically cost $25 plus tax and gratuity; call 540-456-6350

Food Available:
Please check our calendar at www.valleyroadwines.com to see which popular Food Trucks are scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays. Snack items are available for sale. Outside food is permitted.

Kid-friendly:
Children of all ages are welcome – but we kindly ask that they remain with their parents and are supervised during the visit to ensure their safety and create an enjoyable experience for all of our guests. 

Pet Policy:
Dogs are welcome, but only outside and always on leash, please!

Public Events:
Check our calendar at www.valleyroadwines.com for a list of current events. Favorites include: Rosépalooza each March, a festive weekend dedicated to all things Rosé; Anniversary Weekend in August; and

Late Fridays – we’re open until 7:30 Fridays from April through October with Happy Hour specials from 3:30-5pm.

Private Events:
Contact events@valleyroadwines.com for information about Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Private and Corporate Events – as well as Private Tastings.