Grayhaven Winery
April 16, 2026. It’s surprising, perhaps, to find a man of the world operating a vineyard and winery in Goochland County, halfway between Richmond and Charlottesville. But Gum Springs is where Grayhaven Winery has been operating since 1978 and where you will find owner and manager Deon Abrams, a certified man of the world. He’s not especially a boisterous man but his long craggy face tells of having seen many places and lived many lives before Gum Springs. They tell of growing up in Johannesburg, being conscripted into the South African Defense Force, leaving home for Egypt, and Israel, and England, and finally New York City, of being a mover in the culture of “outsider art” from his gallery in Chelsea. And in New York, Deon met his wife Max Peple, whose family founded and operated Grayhaven Winery. Deon and Max returned to Grayhaven in 2001 to take over winery operations from founders Chuck and Lyn Peple. Among his many liv...