Everleigh Vineyards and Brewing Company

May 31, 2025.  If there are natural progressions in the wine world, then Everleigh Vineyards in Louisa County, near the town of Cuckoo, is one example.  Joe Evers became interested in wine during his medical education and fellowship at Georgetown.  When he moved to Richmond to establish his practice, he started his own wine club.  Barb and Joe bought their property in Mineral in 2014 and planted their first vines in 2015.  Over the next few years, they sold their grapes to other wineries including what was then the neighboring Cooper Vineyard.  In 2020, they endured the Mother’s Day Frost which killed much of their plantings.  They had no insurance for this.  Persevering, they replanted and were able to open to the public in 2022. 

Today, according to Barbara Evers, Everleigh’s five acres of vines produce around 9 to 11,000 cases of wine.  All of their wine is estate-grown.  She said that it’s normal for Joe to be working in the vines at least four days a week.  The medals this winery has won in its short history reflect on his self-taught and diligent work in the vines.  It’s no wonder that between his professional life and managing the vineyard, Joe Evers has arranged with DuCard Vineyard’s Julian Durantie to handle the winemaking for them.  Everleigh continues to expand their offerings with a Merlot to be released for the first time this year.  In the undefined future, they plan to bring wine production back to the property.

While Joe manages the vines, Barbara manages the tasting room and outreach to folks like us.  She managed to spend some time with us even though hosting a ticketed concert later that day.  Some of that wide-eyed enthusiasm comes through talking with her.  She also got to chase her granddaughter around the tasting room.  The Everleigh tasting room has one standup bar for wine and one for beer and cider.  Son Ryan Evers is charge of the beer and cider.  Sofas and chairs are arranged around the 4,000 square foot room.  In the cooler months, there is a sofa and fireplace at one end of the room.  A two-story bank of windows faces wide decks that ring the building.  Steps lead to a lawn of grape vines all green and maturing nicely. 

At this point, Everleigh can host only small events like birthdays and rehearsal dinners.  They do feature an upstairs room with its own deck that can be rented for those events.  The upstairs has a grand view of the main floor. 

Likewise, the main floor is open to the balcony of the upstairs giving the main floor an sparse lightness.  The tasting room is minimally decorating.  Barbara told us that Everleigh plans to open a separate wedding building in October this year, potentially bringing a big change soon to their current mode of operation. 

 

                                                                                                                                    Barbara Evers and Kim

Everleigh does not allow outside food in the tasting room or the decks that ring the main building.  Pets are allowed on leashes outside. 

While we sampled the wine, we had the Tzatziki Dip with Veggies from the Everleigh menu.  We were trying to eat healthy while we tasted the following:

Chardonel.  I didn’t note the vintage for the Everleigh Chardonel that Kim tried.  But we must have tasted one f the two Chardonel’s that received Gold medals at the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup.  Kim found it needed more taste, though my own notes say it’s full-bodied.  Kim gave it a C.  Sorry, you will just have to try it and let us know what you think.  It’s also reasonably priced. 

2021 Angel’s Confession.  This rosé wine has some residual sugar and notes of ripe peach.  It won a Silver medal at the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup.  I rate it a strict B.

2019 Devil’s Profit.  This is one of a couple of Everleigh red blends.  Very light tannins and light red fruit.  Even some mocha.  13% ABV.  The listing of Silver medal winners for the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup call this “Devil’s Profit Meritage.”  (I could not locate the varietal breakdown.)  With all of that, however, I give it a B or B- based on the $45.00 per bottle price.

2019 Epiphany.  This is a light Petit Verdot-based wine with a nice lingering palate and light red fruit.  Very low ABV at 11.5%.  The $45.00 per bottle price, again, keeps my rating to a B.

2023 Double Eagle.  Cabernet Franc dominates this varietal with noticeably strong tannins and pronounced fruit.  The ABV is up to 13% on this wine and the price is incrementally lower.  Still, I rate it a B. 

Everleigh is a short detour from Interstate 64 that offers refreshment for any adult taste – wine, beer, or cider.  Make sure you don’t drive into a closed event and give yourself time to enjoy what they have to offer.