By Scott W. Harrison
Rockbridge Vineyard in Raphine celebrated its 20th year earlier this month with the annual harvest festival. More than 300 people came out for the day-long event, which featured live music, wine tastings and hayrides.
The award-winning winery and vineyard makes 21 types of wines, from pinot noir to merlot. It is one of 210 wineries in Virginia.
In its two decades, it has spread from the basement of a Raphine barn to some 17 acres of surrounding countryside.
Some of the grapes are harvested in Raphine. Others, depending on the type of wine, come from Amherst and Nelson counties.
The winery produces around 11,000 cases of wine every season—some 130,000 bottles. These wines cater to customers in the Shenandoah Valley.
Shepherd and Jane Rouse, the owners, started harvesting grapes at the Raphine site in 1988. In 1992, Rockbridge Vineyard released its first vintage of wines.
The annual harvest is one of two major festivals hosted at Rockbridge Vineyard. Long-time employee and harvester Kay Thompson said these events are a major way to get people out to the vineyard.
Thompson said that the winery has gone through a steady maturation process.
“We’ve passed through the infancy stage,” she said. “Now, we’re getting into our stride.”