Meet the Maker: Jump Mountain Vineyards

414 West Main Street,Waynesboro VA 22980

20 April, 2023

Description

While working full-time at The University of Virginia, David Vermillion and Mary Hughes (David as a database programmer and Mary as landscape architect), started to dream of planting a vineyard as a future retirement project. In 2006, they began the adventure by purchasing a 32-acre farm in Rockbridge Baths. They chose this Shenandoah Valley location specifically because of its suitability for growing grapes: limestone-based soils, low humidity and rainfall, and reliable daily breezes as well as the slopes and elevation. The ripening grapes also benefit from cool night-time temperatures in August and September, which permit sugar to increase without loss of the acidity that provides the necessary structure and balance found in fine wine. Mary and David planted the first grapevines in 2008. The red grape varietal they chose, Cabernet sauvignon, requires a very long season in order to become fully ripe so they planted it on a south-facing slope at 1330 feet of elevation. In succeeding years, they added additional red and white grape varieties, some of which are quite unusual in Virginia: Tannat, Lagrein, Refosco , Sagrantino and Gruner veltliner. These selections are experimental in nature to see what grape varieties would be suited to this Shenandoah Valley site. Jump Mountain Vineyard’s wine production began in 2012 with the construction of the winery building. Designed by architect Samuel A. (Pete) Anderson, III, FAIA, the building takes advantage of the sloping site to provide a gravity-based wine production facility and an earth-sheltered cellar for aging the wine at a constant 50-60 degree temperature range. Situated to offer views of local landmark Jump Mountain as well as the vineyards, the winery features seating indoors and outdoors to accommodate guests for tastings and tours offered personally by David and Mary.