Two new wineries joined the Northern Virginia sipping scene. Reitano Vineyards in Front Royal opens Saturday, and Domaine Fortier Vineyards opened in Lovettsville last weekend.
Reitano , an 80-acre family-owned vineyard, holds its “Grand Uncorking” from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 29. Food from Clay’s BBQ will served.
The 2023 wines at the tasting room include three reds, two whites, and a rosé. The 2023 cabernet franc is 4 percent petit verdot, while the red blend is merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot. The vineyard has a 2023 chardonnay aged in stainless steel and another white blend of Vidal blanc and petit manseng.
Reitano, a family- and pet-friendly venue at 137 Lee Burke Rd. in Front Royal, plans to offer tours and a wine club, although no details are yet posted on its website.
The vineyard in the Shenandoah Valley hosts weddings and other gatherings. Its Old Spring House venue provides indoor and outdoor spaces for events and private parties, while the Villa at Reitano is a luxury home for rent. Guests also can stay in a Bohemian bus or a cottage on the property, which has a stocked fishing pond.
New Winery in Lovettsville
At Domaine Fortier Vineyards in Lovettsville, the tasting room opens from noon to 6 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Tables are on a first-come, first-served basis, but groups larger than six need to call ahead. The boutique winery in the Catoctin Valley allows children. No pets are allowed.
Stephen Fortier and Jennifer Volk-Fortier bought the vineyard in 2018. Vinifera varietals are grown on 10 of the vineyard’s 34 acres. The first harvest was in 2023, but the vineyard has been making wine for several years with Loudoun County grapes under the tutelage of Nate Walsh of Walsh Family Wines.
The vineyard won a gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition in January for its 2017 Cabernet Franc Reserve. Its other wines include its 2020 Le Pivot, a Bordeaux-style of cabernet franc, merlot, and tannat; a chardonnay; a petit manseng with varietals from southwestern France; a white merlot with notes of raspberry and orange peel; and an Albariño.
In addition to the tasting room, Domaine Fortier Vineyards at 13235 Milltown Rd. in Lovettsville offers three wine clubs with quarterly shipments or pickups of four, six, or 12 bottles.
Feature image by Africa Studio/stock.adobe.com
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