The Williamsburg Winery

The Williamsburg Winery’s founders, Patrick G. Duffeler and Peggy, purchased 300 acres in Williamsburg in 1983 and established the winery there in 1985. Its first grapes were planted in 1985, followed by the release of its first wine in 1988 and its first Virginia Governor’s Cup in 1990.

The winery is housed on Wessex Hundred, a 400-acre farm of woods, fields, gardens and vineyards. The farm’s vineyards cover over 50 acres, with plantings including Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Tannat, Viognier, Vidal Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Albariño, Syrah and Muscat. The winery lies within the Virginia Peninsula AVA and collected data to apply for the appellation’s establishment.