Loudoun County’s burgeoning wine industry is commemorating its 40th anniversary with the release of a limited-edition collaboration wine named Loudoun Red, crafted by 12 Virginia vineyards. Each participating winemaker contributed a barrel of their estate-grown vintage, resulting in a blend of seven varietals, including cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and petit verdot. The wine features vintages from both 2022 and 2023 and is available at each of the 12 wineries involved in the project.
The year 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of Loudoun County’s winemaking heritage, which began in 1984 when Willocroft Farm Vineyards produced its inaugural wine, a Riesling. Today, the county boasts over 50 wineries, alongside a thriving craft beverage industry that includes distilleries, cideries, and meaderies.
This growing sector has emerged as a significant economic driver for Loudoun County, attracting 1 million visitors in 2023 and generating nearly $49 million in revenue last year. This figure represents a 60% increase since 2018, according to an Economic Impact Study commissioned by Visit Loudoun.
In its formative years, Loudoun County’s wine industry faced skepticism from critics. However, perseverance and collaboration among local growers led to the refinement of grape-growing techniques suited to the Northern Virginia climate. As the quality of the wines improved, accolades began pouring in from notable publications such as Wine Enthusiast, Travel + Leisure, and Decanter Magazine.
By the mid-2000s, the number of wineries in Loudoun County had surpassed a dozen and was poised to double. This growth attracted the attention of economic development organizations, tourist agencies, and local officials, who recognized the industry’s potential as an economic generator and a means to preserve open space and agricultural heritage.
Vineyards in the region are labor-intensive and costly to maintain, prompting many winemakers to leverage their properties as venues for private events. Approximately 85% of wineries and distilleries in Loudoun County offer event spaces, making them popular destinations for couples seeking picturesque wedding venues, farm-to-table dinners, and festive music events.
In 2008, Visit Loudoun launched the tourism campaign “DC’s Wine Country” to promote the area’s wine industry. This year, Loudoun County’s wines received notable recognition at the Governor’s Cup competition, hosted by the Virginia Wineries Association and the Virginia Wine Board, with 27 wines from 16 different wineries winning Gold Medals—more than any other region in Virginia.
The annual Loudoun Wine Awards and gala will take place at Lansdowne Resort on October 25, further celebrating the county’s winemaking accomplishments.
For the special 40th anniversary Loudoun Red Blend, a total of 300 cases—equivalent to 3,600 bottles—have been produced. More information about the wine and its availability can be found online.
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