Located in Edinburg, Virginia.
Can you provide a brief overview of the history and founding of your winery?
Wolf Gap Vineyard & Winery is almost 20 years old. It was purchased by new owners, Janel & JC Laravie, in 2021. They have invested in a new production area, event pavilion, and indoor tasting room, as well as in the winemaking expertise and varietals produced. Their 2022 vintages are already receiving praise throughout Virginia, with the 2022 Cabernet Franc winning a Gold Medal in the Shenandoah Cup.
What inspired the establishment of your winery, and how has it evolved over the years?
Owners, Janel & JC, grew up nearby in West Virginia and Virginia and Wolf Gap Vineyard brought them home. Moving to the Shenandoah Valley and joining the Virginia Wine industry has been invigorating, to say the least! With a focus on producing amazing wines and delivering unforgettable experiences, you don't want to miss out on these local favorites. 2022 gems include the all-new Chateau Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Can you highlight a few of your flagship or signature wines and what makes them stand out?
Wolf Gap Vineyard has always been known for the deep, dry Chambourcin; however, the Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon obsoletely delight the palate of the sophisticated wine drinker. That said, the crowd-pleaser is certainly the top-selling Chambourcin Bleu. This blend consists of a small amount of Blueberry blended with Chambourcin and served chilled. The colder you serve it, the more the blueberry fruit pulls forward; however the dry nature of the Chambourcin delivers a taste that delights every palate!
How do you approach the creation of new wine varieties or blends?
This is our favorite part of owning the winery! David is the expert and we ask lots of questions, and we mean LOTS OF QUESTIONS! He does an amazing job of educating us on investment areas to improve wine quality but also understands our appetite for risk and marketability. We planted two new varietals in 2023, one of which we have yet to see anywhere else!
Are there any unique events or activities that you host for visitors at your winery?
Yes! We have First Fridays, which means extended hours, live music, and food trucks with the following! We also offer live music on Sundays from 2-5 at the outdoor pavilion (March-November). We also do private events, like weddings, rehearsal dinners, birthdays, reunions, fundraisers, and more.
What do you hope guests take away from their visit to your winery?
Well, in addition to taking home some bottles, we hope they have happy memories! Whether they are the elderly couple that slow danced to the live music, the parents whose children occupied themselves on the hiking trail, or the young couple that got engaged while enjoying a romantic picnic, we know memories that last can be big or small and we strive to earn a little piece in each guest's memories.
To learn more about Wolf Gap Vineyard, visit their website here!
Stay tuned for more Vineyard Spotlights!
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.