Photo courtesy of Omni Homestead Resort
The Homestead's Managing Director, Mark Spadoni, was honored with a wine label in his name created by Briedé Family Vineyards. Pictured (l-r): Paul Briedé, Spadoni, Chief Sommelier Quynh Cohen, and Loretta Briedé.
The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa recently celebrated the fourth anniversary of its Virginia Wine Experience with a festive event toasting the success of an industry that’s growing statewide and the community that supports it.
Winemakers from across the Commonwealth came together to discuss two specific grape varietals that flourish in Virginia’s climate and geography — Albariño, a white grape native to Spain and Portugal, and Cabernet Franc, a red grape native to France.
“We’re specifically interested in Virginia-style wine,” said Jason Murray, owner and winemaker of Arterra Wines in Delaplane. His comments underscored the theme of the event, with its focus on creating world-class wines that reflects the terroir of Virginia — meaning wines that taste like they were grown and produced in Virginia.
Photo by Jane Fullerton Lemons
Chief Sommelier Quynh Cohen organized the anniversary event to celebrate the Homestead's partnership with Virginia winemakers.
The Homestead, which offers regular events highlighting Virginia wine, is located in the Allegheny Mountains about a 3.5-hour drive from Alexandria.
Crafting Wine Specific to Virginia
Virginia wine writer Frank Morgan, who serves as director of judging for the Virginia Governor’s Cup competition, led a pair of panel discussions with the winemakers. He started the conversation with Albariño, a lively white wine that has found a home in Virginia and is gaining in both popularity and recognition.
Morgan pointed to statistics that illustrate Albariño’s up-and-coming status. Of the roughly 4,100 acres of grapes statewide, 60 of those acres are dedicated to Albariño. Entries for the Governor’s Cup competition underscore the growth — from four entries in 2023 to 12 entries in 2025, which accounts for a 200 percent increase. And he expects even more Virginia wineries will be entering their Albariño wines for the upcoming 2026 Governor’s Cup competition.
Matthew Meyer, winemaker at Gauthier Vineyard of Barhamsville in New Kent County, pointed out that Virginia’s growing regions are similar to those in northwest Spain, where Albariño has long been planted on the Iberian Peninsula.
“We make an Albariño that is specific to Virginia, but also what an Albariño should be,” Meyer said.
Photo by Jane Fullerton Lemons
Executive Chef Michael Zmigrodski created a menu featuring seasonal local ingredients, including individual charcuterie boards.
The winemakers also discussed Cabernet Franc, a variety with a long history in Virginia that makes a bold red wine. It’s the most planted grape in the state — 629 acres — and among the most lauded.
“Cab Franc is one of the most highly awarded varieties in the Governor’s Cup, and the reason for that is because they are good,” Morgan said.
Luca Paschina, estate director and winemaker at Barboursville Vineyards, noted that Cabernet Franc has been planted at the Orange County vineyard since the late 1970s. “It’s a beautiful grape that’s very adaptable to our climate,” he said.
Photo by Jane Fullerton Lemons
Guests tasted wines from 10 wineries from across Virginia during the weekend event.
Gathering Wineries from Across the State
The wineries who participated in the event represented a spectrum of wine styles and varieties from throughout the Commonwealth, coming from five of Virginia’s 10 wine regions:
Arterra Wines of Delaplane in the Northern Virginia region.
Barboursville Vineyards of Barboursville in the Central Virginia region.
Bluestone Vineyard of Bridgewater in the Shenandoah Valley region.
Breaux Vineyards of Purcellville in the Northern Virginia region.
Briedé Family Vineyards of Winchester in the Northern Virginia region.
Cana Vineyards & Winery of Middleburg in the Northern Virginia region.
Crimson Lane Vineyards of Linden in the Northern Virginia region.
Gauthier Vineyard of Barhamsville in the Hampton Roads region.
7 Lady Vineyards of Manakin-Sabot in the Central Virginia region.
Woodbine Vineyards of Buffalo Junction in the Southern Virginia region.
Showcasing Virginia’s Winemaking Heritage
The Homestead offers a series of wine events led by Chief Sommelier Quynh Cohen. The resort features a tasting room well stocked with Virginia wines, offers a series of educational events, and hosts regular dinners spotlighting Virginia winemakers.
Throughout the anniversary weekend, the wine tastings were complemented by food selections curated by the Homestead’s Executive Chef Michael Zmigrodski, with a menu that highlighted seasonal local ingredients.
A highlight of the event was a surprise for the Homestead’s Managing Director, Mark Spadoni, who was honored with a wine label in his name created by Briedé Family Vineyards.
All the Homestead’s wine-themed events aim to showcase Virginia’s winemaking heritage — a history that dates to Jamestown, was championed by Thomas Jefferson, finally became a reality in the 1970s, and now continues to earn international acclaim.
