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Blue Ridge Wine Region

Stretching along the spine of the mountains from Nelson and Rockbridge down through Roanoke and into Southwest Virginia, the Blue Ridge Wine Region is where Virginia wine country feels wild, elevated, and wonderfully unhurried. Here, vineyards cling to steep hillsides, tasting rooms overlook rolling valleys and river bends, and the Blue Ridge Parkway winds just minutes from many cellar doors. This is cool-climate country, with higher elevations, rocky soils, and dramatic temperature swings that help preserve freshness and aromatics in grapes. You’ll find everything from crisp sparkling wines and bright international varieties to old-world inspired reds, mountain-grown hybrids, and orchard-driven cider and mead.

The experience is as memorable as the wines: quiet country roads instead of crowds, star-filled skies after tastings, and small, family-run producers who are happy to linger over a conversation about vintages, weather, and what they’re planting next. Use this page as your launch point to explore the Blue Ridge’s wineries, vineyards, cideries, and meaderies, discover hidden tasting rooms just off the Parkway, and start planning a trip where the journey is every bit as rewarding as the glass in your hand. Whether you’re a serious collector or a casual sipper, there’s a Blue Ridge bottle waiting for you.

With more than 30 vineyards, wineries, cideries and craft-breweries across the county, each stop tells its own story — of terroir, family-run passion, and Virginia’s emerging status as a respected wine region. Whether you’re planning a dedicated wine-trail day or weaving in a stop as part of a larger road-trip, Fauquier delivers the perfect balance of ease-of-access, scenic beauty, and handcrafted wines worth stopping for.

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Barren Ridge Vineyards

Barren Ridge Vineyards

Former Apple Orchard, Now Augusta County's Premier Winery

John and Shelby Higgs cleared the overgrown land and planted it with grapevines that now produce fourteen award-winning wines. They also converted their 1890′s apple barn into a state-of-the-art winery, preserving the original structure and wood beams.

Barren Ridge Vineyards is a small, family-owned winery in the heart of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Owned by John and Shelby Higgs, the property was originally purchased in 1934 by John’s father James Higgs, an apple grower. John grew up here, picking apples and cultivating an appreciation for the land and for the agricultural heritage of this region. Decades later, after his retirement from Phillip Morris, John and his wife Shelby cleared the overgrown apple orchard and planted a vineyard.

They renovated the old apple packing barn and transformed it into a state-of-the-art winery, tasting room, and event facility, using reclaimed wood and preserving the charm and character of the original building. Now they welcome guests from far and wide to enjoy the rustic tranquility and natural beauty of Barren Ridge Vineyards while savoring a glass of one of their award-winning, handcrafted wines.

The Tasting Room features carefully handcrafted wines that are available daily for tastings. The winery is open seven days a week for complimentary tours, and the patio is always ready for picnics and sunset-viewing.

 

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15663
Region
  • Shenandoah Valley Region
Appellation AVAShenandoah Valley AVA
Wine Trail
  • Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail
  • Skyline Wine Trail
Tasting Fee$8.00
Reserve Tasting Fee$0.00
Tour Fee$0.00
Vineyard Acres1
Estate Acres1
Vineyard Manager John and Shelby Higgs
Emma Holman

Emma HolmanEmma Holman

Hi, I'm Emma, a Content and Community Manager at Virginia Wine Market. If you'd like to update or add to your winery profile here, click the 'Contact Author' button below, and your message will come straight to me. I can also help you claim your profile to self-manage.

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Contact author Full biography

Full biography

Hi, I'm Emma, a native Virginian living in the great city of Richmond. I love all things wine, food, and travel. Follow me as I guide you through the best of Virginia.

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