Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery
June 23, 2023. For our second annual wine trip to the Shenandoah Valley we ventured further south than last year along that “Trucker’s Paradise” called Interstate 81. After two and half hours of drizzle, clouds, and semi’s, we reached Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery just outside the town of Raphine in Rockbridge County. It was a welcome stop and a welcoming staff for us. We had a nice prolonged visit with Gratia Bobbitt doing the pouring, owner Shepherd (“Shep”) Rouse providing lots of technical detail, and co-owner Jane Rouse spending time just chatting. Shep Rouse and Gratia Bobbitt Shep and Jane Rouse purchased the property in 1988 and incorporated the winery in 1992. The Rouse’s worked out a deal with their son, Parke, that he could open a brewery if he helped Shep with the winery. With that understanding, the brewery opened three and half years ago (2019), and Shep has assured the winery will continue to the next generation. Shep has