868 Estate Vineyards

March 13, 2026.  We continue our short project of returning to some nearby wineries that we visited in the pre-Blog days.  In the case of 868 Estate Vineyards north of Hillsboro in Loudoun County, that visit was ten years ago, and I didn’t record any reactions at the time. 

The vineyard name borrows from the highest peak on the property at 868 feet above sea level between Short Hill and the Blue Ridge.  Three couples bought the property that was part of the Grandale Farm in 2012.  We had the pleasure of meeting two of the owners: Chris Charron and Nancy Deliso.  Our information comes from them and Teresa who managed the tasting room.  (Interesting note that Linkedin lists Chris as the winery's "chief sampler.")

                                                                                        Teresa and Chris

The tasting room sits under the shadow of a ramshackle white barn.  It is a small tasting room with no fireplace.  When we ordered food, it was delivered in a bag with no utensils or napkins. (At one time, 868 had a restaurant but that is now closed.)    


The vineyard has a patio and a pavilion on the side where you can enjoy music from the stage.  Outside food is allowed outside but not in the tasting room.  868 also has a gazebo overlooking their vineyard pond.  It’s a little removed from the music and perhaps might be quieter.  Pets are welcome outside of the tasting room. 
                                                                                               the Pavilion

868 is renowned for its serious concert schedule culminating in “LoCo Fest” over Labor Day.  Other concerts throughout the Spring and Summer include fundraisers for local musicians.  With this vigorous schedule, you normally won’t find 868 available for other special events like weddings or corporate affairs.  That is not where they are focused. 

According to Chris, 868 has around 22 acres under vine with a production (last year) of 4,000 cases.  From this they produce on-site 11 white and 11 red wines – which is quite an ambitious undertaking.  What is also ambitious (according to Chris) is the upkeep of the barn and the physical plant at 868, which sprawls out from the center at the barn.  In one interview I read, Nancy Deliso noted that there is no Second Generation of their families interested in carrying on 868.  So the whole operation and 120 acres of land have been for sale for the past couple of years (at a posted price of $7.5 Million). 

In spite of what the future looks like at present, Nancy was enthusiastic about 868.  They are obviously keeping their standards high.  She had just returned from the Virginia Governor’s Cup competition where their two Meritage blends received gold medals.  We’ll talk about those shortly.  They are justly proud of winning the whole competition in 2020.  She was also looking forward to advancing Loudoun County wines in restaurants initiatives through the efforts of a new hire at Visit Loudoun.

Here are the wines we tried and our reactions.

2024 Chardonnay.  Kim elected to try 868’s Chardonnay which she found medium-bodied at best but not too remarkable. She rated it a B-

I elected to try 868’s Governor’s Cup Wine Flight featuring all their medal winners from the 2026 competition.

2024 Sauvignon Blanc.  The Sauvignon Blanc won a silver medal this year and also won “Best in Class” at the 2025 Loudon County Wine Awards.  Light-bodied, tastes of pear, wet stones and metallic.  Kim and I both tried this wine and agreed on a B rating.

2023 Cabernet Franc.  868 won a silver medal at the 2026 Governor’s Cup for this Cab Franc.  It also won “Best in Class” at the 2025 Loudon County Wine Awards.  Dark cherry and smoke or flint.  Good finish.  It contains 10% Petit Verdot.  I rate it a B.

Two of 868’s Meritage vintages won Gold at the 2026 Governor’s Cup.  It is revelatory to have a mini vertical tasting like this because both vintages used exactly the same blending proportions: 38% Cabernet Franc, 38% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9% Petit Verdot.  Yet the two are distinctly different: 

    2022 Meritage.  The older Meritage had a slight blackberry sweetness and came off smoother and softer than its younger brother.  Good tannins.  B+

    2023 Meritage.  Somewhat jarring tanginess to tartness.  May be more age-worthy because of more pronounced tannins.  Good to let sit for a couple of years.  I rated it a B.

And there you have it!  After February’s intense cold and snow, it was good to get back out into the field to visit wineries.  We were happy to have 868 first on our list.  868 is actually in a convenient group of wineries in northwest Loudoun within minutes of each other.  Plot out your travel and see more than one.

 

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