Veritas Vineyard and Winery
October 30, 2026. When you arrive at Veritas Vineyard and Winery in Afton, expansive lawns and a tree-shaded courtyard roll out in front of the tasting room, Saddleback Hall, with its wide wrap-around porch. Andrew and Patricia Hodson bought the Saddleback Farm property in Nelson County in 1999 and evolved it from a horse and cattle farm to a vineyard and winery. After much success over the years as consistently one of the shining stars of Virginia wineries, the Hodson’s transferred ownership just a month or two ago to two family groups led by Kurt Wassenaar and Eric Trebour. The new owners have already made a very wise decision to retain one of the most accomplished winemakers in the Commonwealth, Emily Hodson, daughter of the founders. Emily has won many awards as a winemaker while also founding the Winemaker’s Research Exchange and co-founding USDA’s project to develop resistant grape varieties for the Virginia climate, among other things. Em...