Doukénie Winery

January 16, 2026.  Last July marked the 40^th Anniversary of Doukénie Winery near Hillsboro in western Loudoun County.  Dr. George Bazaco and his wife Nichola (Nicki) first planted vines in 1985 with the encouragement of George’s grandmother, Doukénie Babayanie Bacos, who emigrated from Greece as a young girl in the 1920’s with a just few possessions including her mandolin.  Doukénie’s mandolin is on the wall of the tasting room to remind everyone of their deep winemaking roots.

Grandson George created the winery within the 328-acre Windham Farm that still grows corn, soy, and hay along with Black Angus beef cattle.  Doukénie’s daughter and George’s mother, Hope, also served wine at the winery for many years before she passed away in 2024. 

We had a chance to speak very briefly with Dr. Bazaco who still practices pulmonary medicine at his Reston office.  He has also long participated in the group Medical Missionaries that brings medical supplies and treatment to poorer places throughout the world.  His own experience has been in Haiti and lately the Dominical Republic.  A wagon sits by the door of the tasting room to collect toy and game donations for the traveling medical teams.  The winery is perhaps not the first thing on the good doctor’s mind.  After more than 55 years practicing medicine and more than 40 years making wine, it’s understandable that George Bazaco is bent and worn.  But he still has more energy than most of us and is proud of having the second or third oldest winery in the county.*  And we have the impression that this farm is a place he can come to renew after experiencing the explosive growth around his Reston practice. 

The vineyard at Doukénie is 23 acres under vine producing around 6,000 cases a year from some 20 varietals.  According to Jeremy Walz, the tasting room manager, all Doukénie’s wine is estate-grown and produced at their Hillsboro site with the lone exception being the 2021 Tobacco Barn Dried White Wine.  The production facility is in the basement of the tasting room. 

The tasting room is found inside a barn-red main manor, simply appointed with a wrap-around bar and windows overlooking a large pond.  In the cooler months try to get a seat near the gas fireplace. 

 

In the warmer months, you can sit in Adirondack chairs or picnic tables around the pond and admire your place at the foot of Short Hill Mountain.  You can even fish the pond (catch and release only with barbless crimped hooks).  I mentioned picnic tables – families and pets are welcome at Doukénie but not outside food.  Unfortunately, the food options are also somewhat limited unless you’re a fan of charcuterie boards. 

                                                           Main Building - Lake -Pavilion

                                                                                                    Gazebo
The winery has a covered heated pavilion for smaller weddings and special gatherings and a covered heated gazebo for more intimate groups.  This allows the tasting room to stay open for guests.  

Sadly, the long story of family winemaking at Doukénie may be coming to a close.  The winery is up for sale.  But Jeremy tells us that it is up for sale as a “turn key winery,” with all hopes to keep everything the same.  They have no plans in the interim except to add more exclusive club events and boost the quality of their wines.  Our impression is that they are suffering a loss of personnel already.  It was hard to find people listed as current staff who are in fact still there.  We had a nice talk with Bonnie Eubank on staff who told us that all the wines currently available were made by Peter Barker, who recently left Doukénie’s employ.  None of the staff we spoke with could name their interim winemaker.

Here is what we tried at the winery with a nice warm baguette. 

2022 Barrel Select Chardonnay.  Kim tried a glass of the Chardonnay which won a gold medal at the 2025 Virginia governor’s Cup competition.  It has a little creaminess and typical green apple.  7 months aging.  12.7% ABV.  Kim gave it a B- with a $39.00 price.

2021 Merlot.  This is 100% Merlot aged 18 months in new French oak.  Strong tannins and good esters in the nose.  Herbaceous with blackberry.  13.9% ABV.  I gave it a B at $46.00 per bottle.

2022 Vintners Reserve.  This reads like the Doukénie Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tannat, and Petit Verdot each contribute a quarter to this mix.  Again aging 18 months in new French oak.  Lightness in the upper palate, light fruit, even some bubblegum in there.  Only 12.6% ABV but $52.00 a bottle.  I gave it a B

2022 Petit Verdot.  With a 9% splash of Tannat, this Petit Verdot is ripe plum and summer fruit. Pleasant and smooth at 12.6% ABV.  I gave it a B+ even at a $50.00 price.

2021 Tannat.  Plum comes through this 100% Tannat wine.  Again 18 months in new French oak.  Less tannin and a less alcohol at 12.2% ABV.  A little biting on the finish.  The wine won a silver medal at the 2025 Governor’s Cup.  But at $50, I gave it a B.  The Petit Verdot was a better buy, to me.

Instead of resting on their laurels, Doukénie continues to produce top-quality award-winning wines.  Have a glass while you’re fishing.

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*I believe that Willowcroft Winery (1984) is the oldest operating Loudoun County winery and Doukénie Winery (1985) is the next oldest still in operation in the county.