Briede Family Vineyards is a star in Northern Virginia by Richard Leahy.

Briede’ Vineyards is a Star in Virginia’s North Country

by Richard Leahy | Aug 15, 2026 | Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine, Winery Visits, XXVirginia Wine | 0 comments

Ten miles north of Winchester, at 39.2 latitude (shouting distance from WV) and 720 ft. elevation is Briede’ Family Vineyards, a star in that “far north” part of the state.

Briede’ Family Vineyards (from their website)

Amongst neighboring farms, when you walk in the door of Briede’s elegant tasting room and even more inviting French-inspired shaded outdoor wine patio yards from the vineyard, you realize you’ve crossed a kind of stylistic threshold…and you want to experience more.

Paul and Loretta Briede’ bought the property in 2002 and for a time Loretta used it for hunter horses, but a decade later decided to convert the property to a vineyard of sustainable grape varieties (suitable to the site’s cool conditions), rooted in sustainable practices (as organic as possible) “reflecting the natural beauty of Virginia.”

The Briede’s took me on a golf-cart tour of their vineyards. Loretta pointed out how the sunflowers planted along the deer fence perimeters attracted birds who would search for their seeds even as ripe grapes hung on the vines, greatly reducing crop loss to nature’s intended consumer of the grapes. She also pointed out insectaries in banks of native flowers. “Ninety percent of insects are beneficial,” she explained; “these insectaries nourish those who prey on the others.”

Co-owner Lorette Briede’ next to ripening Arandell grapes

“We’re passionate about crafting wines from grape varieties less commonly grown in Virginia, expanding the boundaries of what’s possible in our region,” says Loretta Briede’; her husband Paul is the vineyard manager. Their strong suits are hybrid varieties developed by Cornell University in New York’s Finger Lakes district: the white Cayuga blanc (released 1972), Traminette (released 1996) and red Arandell (released 2013) grapes are the core of their portfolio.

Cayuga alone produces a versatile variety of four distinct wine styles at Briede’, ranging from the methode champenoise sparkling wine aged three years on the yeast before release, to dry, semi-dry, and sweet versions. Traminette (an aromatic, spicy variety with Gewurztraminer as a parent) is made in a dry style.

Even though the Cayuga wines are pure, clean and true to the grape and style, the star of Briede’s show is the red Arandell, the new Cornell hybrid I had never tasted before; when I did, I became a believer in a future for Eastern wine based on a new generation of sustainable grape varieties with new tastes, textures and flavor sensations.

Select Tasting Notes, Briede’ Vineyards

***Bries Estate 2021 (sparkling) $32

100% Cayuga Blanc, aged 3 years on the yeast, tank fermented. Nose: excellent balance of green zesty apple with toasty yeast hints. Palate: dry, clean, fresh green apple flavors, then Wow! Huge volume, full-bodied, intensely dry But not harsh or biting. Green apple flavors linger. Residual sugar of 0.3 g/L. Very impressive varietal character and high quality for tank fermented (charmat) style. In the dog days of July and August, this is your friend.

**+Cayuga White 2024 (dry) $32

Nose: gentle green apple fruit, a bit like Mosel or a Finger Lakes Riesling in style with some flinty minerality. Palate; same flavors, good fruit/acid balance with lingering ripe green apple flavors.

****Riesling 2023 (semi-dry, fruit from nearby North Mountain Vineyard; sold out)

No longer available (either the fruit source or the wine), but demonstrates the amazing potential of Riesling in the Shenandoah Valley in a fine vintage. Nose: WOW! Ripe stone fruits poured over crushed shale! Off-dry, but perfect for showcasing top-quality Riesling. Palate: vibrant, ripe peach and apple flavors that dance a tango with acidity which dart back and forth across the palate. The finish keeps on going, clean and pure. This is a classic, but a good long taste of this will compell you to slow down and welcome the experience.

***Arandell 2022 (10% Petit Verdot) $45

A bright ruby hue. Nose: lovely, bright forward red fruit, especially cherry. Vibrant, like raspberry, and red/black cherry; original, intriguing. Palate: Fun, like a blend of Gamay and Cabernet Franc. Bright red fruits, smooth mid-palate, fresh and lively with bright acidity and lingering red fruit flavors. Fun and original.

***>*Arandell 2023 Special Reserve $49

Aged in tank with American oak staves for three months. A classic vintage with more dimension. Nose: a different direction, with more complexity, like a blend of Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Gamay. Palate: fragrant raspberries and red cherry, black raspberries. Smooth, elegant texture, nice spice from staves. Fine red fruit and acidity persist all the way to the long finish, without any coarse heaviness.

****Cabernet Franc Guthrie 2023 (fruit from Walsh Family Vineyards, Loudoun Co.)

Color: dark, vibrant ruby. Nose: Wow! Elegant yet complex, not overoaked. Palate: Wow–flavor keeps growing with ripe black fruits, ripe tannins and large palate volume; black fruits and minerality with length. Brilliant!

****Tannat 2024

Color: dark violet. Nose: classic; very subtle, with flinty minerality. Palate: vibrant, zesty and bright red and black fruit hints. Tannins are there, but the vibrant acidity is the main thing. A surprisingly elegant varietal example, and a great food pairing. 13.4% alc.

(Rating key: = good, * = very good, *** = classic style and quality, **** = exceptional, outstanding, + = given rating plus, > = will increase in quality with time. Note: I won’t give wine recommendations when I consult for a winery.)