New Virginia winery off to a solid start as it continues to develop its brand and property
Noer Vineyards won gold medals in the Shenandoah Cup competition and the Virginia Governor's Cup.
Noer Vineyards, still in its formative stages, has already taken some impressive strides.
Located in Verona, Virginia, between Staunton and Harrisonburg, the budding producer has completed its geothermal winery and has released several wines. Five were entered in the Shenandoah Cup last fall and won four gold medals — 2024 Chardonnay Lot #1, Chardonnay Lot #2, Semillon, and Riesling. Two of its wines — 2024 Sauvignon Blanc and 2024 Semillon — won gold in the Virginia Governor’s Cup, which was announced in mid-March.
A total of 126 acres are under vine, and owner John Noer said in an email that he plans to put in more vines next spring. “We are all planted with vitis vinifera … [with the plan] to be split between 15 different varietals with up to five different clones of some of the varietals,” he wrote in an email.
Per a story on the website, the vineyard currently includes Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Riesling, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Seven white wines from the 2024 vintage are currently available, with reds still aging in the cellar.
While Noer said the vineyard, sitting at around a 1,600-foot elevation, did take a hit during the April 21 frost that affected properties from New York to North Carolina, he noted that the “secondary buds are coming in and we didn’t lose everything. I have to look at the glass half full.”
Noer, 30, said he was raised on a property in Virginia with 2 acres of grapes out front and helped his father tend to them and make the wine.
“After working as an assistant winemaker in Loudoun County and schooling through UC Davis, I looked at over 85 property parcels in person over six to eight years to find the hillside we have planted now,” he added. “I am the only family member who is actively involved with the farm operations. My father has a PhD in Economics and is a great sounding board from time to time for theoretical questions that are more abstract.”
Once he’s finished planting and the vines start bearing fruit, his family-owned operation is anticipated to become one of the largest in the mid-Atlantic.
What’s built already is an underground cave production facility, utilizing a 4½-foot-thick covering of soil over the roof that aids in maintaining stable temperatures without the need for heating or cooling. It’s Virginia’s largest underground wine cellar, Noer said. Inside, tanks hold up to 50,000 gallons, with additional barrel storage for aging, according to a story published by rocktownnow.com.
According to a story on the website, the decision to construct it the way he did was driven by both economics and wine quality. Noer said he realized that the cave would pay off over the next couple of decades much faster than the steel building he’d originally planned on for production.
Noer said it took several years to dig out and construct, and that he was the general contractor.
Noer said he plans on breaking ground and starting construction this summer on the tasting room, located on a ridge that will give visitors an expansive view of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains.. The goal, he said, is to open that building next year.
For now, customers can purchase wines online or arrange to pick up bottles at the cave. The address is 1310 Lee Highway (Route 11).
While Noer was the lone winemaker in 2024, he said he added an assistant last year to allow more time to grow sales and oversee the entire operation.
Great article, we are so happy to have Noer Vineyards in the Shenandoah Valley!