About Us
Our Vineyard
Paul and Loretta Briedé of Winchester, Virginia, purchased their land in 2002, long before a single vine was planted. In those early years, the open fields surrounding their home were used for Loretta’s hunter horses—a peaceful, rural setting that hinted at future possibilities.
With a shared love for exceptional wine and a desire for a new adventure, Paul and Loretta established Briedé Family Vineyards in 2013. Their vision was clear: to create a boutique vineyard rooted in sustainable practices, growing healthy grapes that reflect the unique terroir and natural beauty of Virginia.
Today, they proudly produce approximately 800 cases of estate-grown wines each year. For the past 11 years, Paul and Loretta have been honored to contribute to the Virginia Wine Community—crafting wines with purpose, passion, and a deep respect for the land they call home.
Our Tasting Room
In 2018, we opened our tasting room—once a working horse barn—as a welcoming space to share our award-winning estate wines with guests. Alongside our own wines, we offer a curated selection of exceptional French Champagnes and sparkling wines, creating an experience that blends tradition with innovation.
At Briedé Family Vineyards, wine has always been our highest priority. We're passionate about crafting wines from grape varieties less commonly grown in Virginia, expanding the boundaries of what’s possible in our region. We're proud to be among the first producers of Arandell grape wines in the world and deeply committed to the potential of hybrid grapes, which we believe are the future of sustainable winemaking.
Our wines have traveled far and wide—finding their way to Japan, Israel, the British Virgin Islands, England, France, and beyond—sharing a taste of Virginia terroir on a global stage.
Discover Our Exceptional Wines
Meet the Owners
From Cockpit to Vineyard: Meet Paul Briedé
Paul Briedé spent an impeccable 38 years transporting people across the globe as a United Airlines pilot. Since retiring in 2021, he has shifted his focus entirely to Briede Family Vineyards—bringing the same precision, dedication, and calm under pressure to the vines as he once did to the skies.
Now fully immersed in vineyard life, Paul wears many hats, with no task too big or too small. His primary role is vineyard management—where winemaking truly begins. You've heard the saying “the wine starts in the soil”—and for Paul, that couldn’t be more accurate. His hands-on approach ensures every vine is nurtured with care, setting the foundation for each bottle of wine produced.
The transition from pilot to vintner was a true labor of love. When asked if he misses flying, Paul’s answer is always the same: “No.”
He’s found his peace, purpose, and passion among the vines—trading jet engines for birdsong, and runways for rows of grapes.
Loretta Briede has spent most of her life on the back of a horse. She has trained horses and competed for many years riding horses. Her accomplishments include winning the 2004 Field Hunter Championship of America, having ridden and trained the best Fox Hunting horse in America, multiple years riding in the Devon Horse Show as well as other rated shows, with championships at numerous events throughout her riding career.
She raised two beautiful children and worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines for a brief 5 ½ years, with several years of being recognized as the best in the industry from United Airlines. Over the years she has taken several types of jobs all contributing to her current portfolio, including working for two senators and in the oil industry in Wyoming.
With a service background, the tasting room became a very good fit. The vineyard has been a part of her life for the past 12 years, with a mindset to produce wines that were clean and nurtured in a sustainable vineyard. While Paul was still working, Loretta was the vineyard manager, implementing biodynamic practices for the first 3 years.
Today her duties have moved to the tasting room and running the business. The wines you drink are a result of her palette, Paul's practices in the vineyard, and our winemaker’s history of making exceptional wines.
Being a small boutique winery “everyone wears many hats.” Her passion for wine lends itself to an easy transition from one role to the other. “Our goal is to advance Virginia forward producing the best possible wines, while enjoying the people that make a commitment to visit our winery.
Our Commitment to Excellence
For us, it’s all about excellence—and sharing it.
Excellence in the field, in our wines, and in the experience we offer every guest.
For over 12 years, we’ve crafted award-winning wines from hand-picked, small-batch grapes—uniquely grown and nurtured right here on our estate. Varietals like Marquette, La Crescent, Pinot Meunier, Arandell, and Cayuga White are at the heart of our winemaking, producing wines that are both distinctive and celebrated by world-renowned critics.
We want you to taste the terroir, feel the care we give to every vine, and share in the passion that drives everything we do. Because while we strive to make extraordinary wines, their true purpose is in being shared—with you.
