Born from Jerry Deal’s home winemaking hobby, Forks of Cheat Winery has produced wine in the Appalachian Mountains of north-central West Virginia since July 1990. The family-run winery, where Jerry works alongside his wife Susan and son Eric, produces more than 20,000 gallons annually and has become known for its prize-winning wines made in an old-world tradition.
WineTree VineyardsThe Craig Bandy family’s WineTree Vineyards grows grapes and makes, processes, and bottles its wines on its farm in Vienna, West Virginia. Craig and Candice Bandy bought the farm in 2001 after Craig had spent more than 30 years making wine as a hobby, then sold their first bottle as a bonded West Virginia Farm Winery on July 4, 2008. Today, the farm winery pairs traditional dry wines with sweet varieties and welcomes visitors to its tasting room, where the production area is visible through large glass windows.VIENNA, WV
West-Whitehill Winery, LtdSince 1981, West-Whitehill Winery has made wines from grapes grown in the cool, dry Potomac Highlands of eastern West Virginia. Founded by Steve West with a few acres and homemade equipment, the Moorefield winery now produces thousands of cases, with dessert wines blended with pure fruit, berry, and spice flavors as its specialty. Steve’s daughter Amanda manages the vineyard and family member Tyler Wilkins serves as winemaker and winery manager.MOOREFIELD, WV
Red Heifer WineryOn a 56-acre Smithsburg hillside that was once the Naylor Peach Orchard, Kevin and Yvonne Ford run Red Heifer Winery, making wine from a vineyard planted in 2010. Owner and winemaker Kevin Ford processes, ages, and bottles every wine on-site, while the family farm’s history—from peaches and apples to dairy and hay—still shapes the winery’s character. Opened in November 2012, the adults-only winery pairs its dry and sweet wines with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.SMITHSBURG, MD
Dove Valley WineryOn a 100-acre family farm outside Rising Sun, Dove Valley Winery makes wines from its own vineyard, which Harry and Janet Hepbron planted in 1998 as Cecil County’s first vineyard and winery. The multi-generation operation was built as a family legacy, and its wines have earned Best in Class and medal recognition at the Maryland Governor’s Cup and Finger Lakes International competitions.RISING SUN, MD