Located in Madison, VA.
Can you provide a brief overview of the history and founding of your winery?
After falling in love with the world of fine wine during their time living in California, owners Francoise and Julian Moiseiwitsch developed a passion for viticulture and turned it into a labor of love. Together, they moved to Washington D.C., and discovered the beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains and the hidden bounty of Virginia wines. In 2006, they purchased a horse farm and began the transition of turning the acreage into a vineyard.
What inspired the establishment of your winery, and how has it evolved over the years?
After establishing the vineyards, owners Francoise and Julian began setting their sights on expanding their vision into a winery and tasting room. In 2016, they broke ground on their first tasting room located in the Hebron Valley and opened their doors to the public in 2018.
Are there any unique stories or anecdotes associated with the founding of your winery?
The first tasting room on the property is an 1830s log cabin that was originally located in remote Java, Virginia. The cabin was carefully broken down log by log, transported, and reassembled on top of the new temperature-controlled wine cellar. After a few years, Francoise and Julian began to expand their horizons by building a new tasting room venue and a production facility, which opened in March of 2023.
How do you approach the creation of new wine varieties or blends?
For several years now, Bordeaux-native Frantz Ventre has been advising, admonishing, and pushing us to constantly improve our vineyard. With his expert consulting, we can focus on quality over quantity when choosing single varietals or blends.
Are there specific grape varieties that thrive in your vineyards, and why were they chosen?
Our wines and varietals have been carefully chosen to express the Central Virginia and Piedmont terroir. The Vitis vinifera includes Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, Merlot, Viognier, Pinot Gris, Petit Manseng, Vidal Blanc, Traminette, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay.
Describe the atmosphere and experience visitors can expect at your tasting room.
The views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from our property are absolutely breathtaking, especially at sunset. We offer a unique and relaxed experience with a touch of rustic charm. Guests can choose from several flight options, an expansive wine list, light fare options, and seasonal offerings.
Are there any unique events or activities that you host for visitors at your winery?
We host many informative and literacy-focused events such as Book Club, Book World meets Wine World, and Sip & Learn. We also invite local artisans to showcase their creations at our Arts & Vines markets. There is also a rotating artist exhibit in our tasting room bi-monthly.
What do you hope guests take away from their visit to your winery?
We hope our guests simply enjoy their visit, taking in all the details that make our winery a unique destination, enjoying small-batch wines, and soaking in the views of central Virginia and the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Are there sustainability initiatives or practices your winery is involved in?
Our tasting room is 100% solar-powered and is equipped with an EV charging station. All of our glassware and serving dishes are up-cycled. We recycle almost every item that is used in the tasting room. Our vineyards are carefully maintained and monitored, using the least amount of chemicals as possible.
To learn more about Revalation Vineyards, visit their website here!
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About the VWDC
Established by the Virginia General Assembly in 2007, the Virginia Winery Distribution Company (VWDC) is a non-profit, non-stock corporation housed within the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to provide wholesale wine distribution services for licensed Virginia wineries and farm wineries.