Sabin Wine Journeys - the Virginia Wine Journeys Blog

December 19, 2025.   While it’s not by design, we visited several old Virginia wineries this year that have embarked on new chapters in their lives.   Oakencroft outside of Charlottesville is under new management with new construction and re-purposed original infrastructure (April 2025).   There was Shenandoah Vineyards in Edinburg, which began in 1976 but whose future as a working vineyard under its current owner is uncertain (July 2025). Naked Mountain Winery and Vineyards is another old Virginia winery – operating handsomely in Markham, Fauquier County, since it opened in 1982.   Former owners Bob and Phoebe Harper first planted vines in 1976 and added acreage in 1980 and 1994.   In 2010, the Harper’s retired from the wine trade and sold Naked Mountain to Randy and Meagan Morgan.                                                    ...

April 20, 2024.   Chateau O’Brien sits at the top of a steep hill just off the Markham exit from Interstate 66 in Fauquier County.   To get to the winery, be prepared to make a quick hairpin turn off of Old Markham Road (Route 688) onto a heavily-rutted 45%-incline gravel road across an unguarded railroad track.   Shortly you will pass under the gate for the winery as you continue to climb through the vineyard.   But the trip up the hill is worth it. Chateau O’Brien at Northpoint is the creation of Howard O’Brien who bought the site in 2002 and opened the winery in 2006.     Instead of the typical Virginia red brick, Howard renovated a pale yellow farmhouse, accented by a rust colored roof as his winery.   It appears to be have been built in terraces as part of the hillside.     Entering the main doors, you come out of bright sunshine into a cool tile vestibule with tasting bars on either side.   Straight ahead of you is a circular...