Hiddencroft Vineards

March 14, 2026.  The northernmost winery in Loudoun County is Clyde and Terry Housel’s Hiddencroft Vineyards near Lovettsville, a winery that takes you through their old barn’s corn crib into a lawn filled with flowers in the growing season.  The flowers are a butterfly habitat that fronts an old farmhouse retooled as the tasting room.

We had the good fortune of speaking with owner Clyde Housel for an extended period during a quiet time at the winery.  

He is as posterchild for the outdoors life – with his tousled white hair, trim beard, professorial glasses.  You might notice his enormous hands from years of pruning and working around the winery.  He has himself renovated most of the old farm buildings on the site which are now used for special intimate events and celebrations.  Hiddencroft, however, does not do large events like weddings.  The big barn they use to host barrel tastings and library tastings, but there is no heat or water over there.

 

Clyde and his wife began planting vines in 2001 and retired from the Federal Government the next year.  They have six acres now under vine featuring Traminnette, Chambourcin, Cabernet France, Petit Verdot and Tannat.  Clyde is self-taught in winemaking.  In the last harves,t he was able to use 100% of his own grapes with some left over for sale. 

The tasting room has two spaces with stand-up bars.  There is some cozy seating upstairs.

Go outside for a nice deck and down steps to a bricked patio that is on a level with Dutchmen’s Creek.  Dogs are welcome outside.  Children are welcome too.  The winery has self-service lite fare.  If you want to bring your own food, they ask that you buy a bottle of wine.  (See the winery FAQ’s)

 

At age 79, Clyde has reduced his workload from 1,500 cases a year to around 850 cases.  They haven’t entered the Virginia Governor’s Cup since 2019.  If you want to get a great picture of what it’s really like to work a small commercial vineyard and winery in Virginia, I strongly recommend you snag a copy of Branches, Roots, Seeds, and Vines: The Story of Hiddencroft Vineyards, which is their story, and the story of many other small family operations, told with truth, emotion and reflection.*  Here is both the success of a harvest and all the pests (including the Spotted Lanternfly) and problems.

If you are looking for long-aging in your wine, Hiddencroft’s philosophy is to age their wines at least a year and upwards of 7 years in some cases. 

Kim elected to get a glass of white wine, and I went with a red tasting.  Hiddencroft also has fruit wine and a Port-style wine, but I didn’t try those offerings.  Here we go….

2020 Petit Manseng.  Kim loved the Hiddencroft Petit Manseng and bought a couple of bottles, by which I guess she rated it B+ or A.  This is labeled as “off-dry,” in keeping with Clyde’s overall preference for jammier wines, but the acidity keeps it fresh and lively.  Pineapple.  13% ABV. 

NV Dutchman’s Creek Blend.  Always taking from three vintages, this wine is a Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend.  Aged up to 4.5 years in barrels.  This is a good light table wine.  Named for the little creek that runs behind the tasting room.  I rated it a B.

2016 Chambourcin Reserve.  Chambourcin is Clyde’s last-harvested grape.  Thick-skinned and loose clusters.  Full-bodied, smooth, dark, and fruity.  Know that if you have this Chambourcin, it has already aged 7.5 years in barrels.  Drink it sooner than later.  I rated it a B.

2023 Petit Verdot.  After 2-and-half years in barrels, this Petit Verdot is still young and will age well.  I enjoyed the dark fruit and smooth finish.  I rated it a B+ and bought a bottle.

2017 Cabernet Franc.  Following the trend in Virginia, Clyde’s Cab Franc departs from the green pepper taste that has been this grape’s signature.  Instead, this medium-bodied wine has black pepper notes.  Great legs.  B.

2020 Serenity.  For a number of years Hiddencroft collaborated with two other wineries to make the “Tranquility” blend – with each winery contributing grapes.  Serenity is a homage to the old collaboration, this time using only Hiddencroft’s grapes with a 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat.  I found Serenity a little tart and not much depth. I gave it a C.

2019 Tannat.  The 2019 Tannat is fairly typical.  100% Tannat.  A little plum, full-bodied, but soft.  B.

2019 Cabernet Sauvignon.  Clyde also poured us a Cabernet Sauvignon which is not on the standard tasting menu.  Nice nose, stays on the top of the palate.  I didn’t jot down much more but it is a B rating, especially for the price.

Clyde may remind you that the word “croft” comes from the Scottish meaning a small farm.  This croft is a delightful place to spend an afternoon.  On colder days maybe the fire pit is aflame.  Or grab a seat in the sunroom that overlooks everything like a catbird seat.  It’s just behind the tasting room bar.  This croft is a nice way station for drives into Maryland or West Virginia.

 

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* Terry and Clyde Housel, Branches, Roots, Seeds, and Vines: The Story of Hiddencroft Vineyard.  Enchanted Green Acres Press 1^st Ed. 2026 (available on Amazon).  You can also learn something of the history of the early settlers in northern Loudoun County.