Stephanie Spear 
October is Virginia Wine Month, and whether you’re a seasoned wine drinker or a newcomer to the vines, there’s something here for you. Northern Virginia is home to a robust wine scene, including scenic vineyards, historic properties, and lots of locally made wines to taste + enjoy. To find out the best way to explore Virginia’s wine world, The Fairfax Girl chatted with Kendell Anderson, head winemaker at The Winery at Bull Run in Centreville, VA. We chatted about the region’s unique grapes, what to order at a tasting, and why there’s no such thing as a wrong wine preference. Read on for everything to know about Virginia wine, straight from a local expert.
Meet the Winemaker
Kendell Anderson didn’t exactly take the traditional route to becoming a winemaker. In fact, there was a time when he didn’t even like wine. “I thought wine was kind of gross,” Kendell told The Fairfax Girl. Kendell grew up in a military family, moved around the country, and attended high school in Fairfax County. He studied kinesiology and played football at the College of William & Mary, graduating in 2017. He first learned about Virginia wineries through visits with a former girlfriend, who encouraged him to give wine a chance.
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Those visits eventually sparked an interest in the agricultural side of winemaking. Kendell became fascinated by how different vineyards could produce entirely different wines, even when growing the same grape varieties. The idea that a farm could grow grapes and turn them into a finished product caught his attention.
After working in wine and beverage packaging in Los Angeles, Kendell returned to Virginia following a COVID-era layoff. He eventually landed a position at Stone Tower Winery in December 2020, where he spent two years learning the production side of the business. Kendell learned his craft through hands-on experience in the cellar, asking questions, and working alongside experienced winemakers and vineyard managers. In December 2022, he joined The Winery at Bull Run, where he is now the head winemaker.
How Virginia Wine Stacks Up
Virginia might not have the same international wine reputation as California or France, but according to Kendell, that’s part of what makes the region so interesting. “Virginia’s a good wine region because Virginia is more unique than any other region or major region that dominates the world,” Kendell said. He credits the region’s weather for that.
California’s major wine-growing regions generally benefit from hot, dry days and cooler nights, conditions that can make grape growing more predictable. Virginia, on the other hand, has a hot, humid climate that presents an entirely different set of challenges.
Read more: The Best Northern Virginia Vineyards to Visit This Fall
Although Virginia shares a similar latitude with Bordeaux, France, its climate is quite different. Virginia vineyards can grow many of the same traditional European grape varieties, but the region’s humidity, rainfall, and growing conditions influence how those grapes develop. So, even though the grapes may be the same, the wines don’t taste the same as what other winemakers in different regions come up with.
Kendell explained that Virginia growers also work with hybrid grape varieties, which have been bred to better withstand challenges such as cold temperatures, wet conditions, and disease.
While those conditions can make growing grapes more difficult, they also help create wines with a distinct regional identity. Even wineries located relatively close to one another can produce noticeably different styles.
Beyond the wine itself, Kendell believes one of the best parts of Virginia’s wine scene is how different the wineries are from one another. Some offer luxury tasting experiences and full-service dining, while others are smaller, family-run operations where visitors might find themselves chatting directly with the owners.
At The Winery at Bull Run, the experience also includes a connection to local history. The winery is located near the historic Manassas battlefield and incorporates the area’s history into its atmosphere and tours. The winery also has wine production on-site, giving visitors a connection to the work that goes into each bottle.
Kendell recommends visiting several different wineries rather than sticking with just one favorite. Each property has its own atmosphere, approach to winemaking, and selection of wines.
And while the region’s wine might not taste exactly like something from Napa Valley or Bordeaux, Kendell considers that a major selling point. “We’re going to be a little bit of everything, but nothing at the same time,” he said.
Wine Tasting Advice
For anyone who feels a little intimidated by wine tastings, Kendell has some good news: You don’t need to know anything about wine to enjoy visiting a winery. His biggest piece of advice is to keep an open mind and try different varieties. “You may not like everything, and that’s totally okay,” Kendell said. He explained that everyone’s palate is different, which is exactly why wineries produce so many styles of wine. A friend might love a bold red while someone else prefers a lighter white or rosé. Neither person is wrong.
Kendell also encourages visitors to ask questions during tastings and learn about the process behind each bottle. “There’s no wrong answers, there’s no wrong questions,” he said. Kendall himself switches up his go-to glass depending on the weather and the mood. In the summer, he tends to enjoy white wines and rosés. When temperatures drop, he gravitates toward Cabernet Franc, Meritage-style blends, and heavier reds like Tannat and Petit Verdot. His general philosophy is simple: Find a wine that fits the moment.
As for what grapes a vineyard visitor should look out for, Kendell gave us a few things to look out for.
- Cabernet Franc
This is one of Virginia’s signature red wines, a starting point for anyone looking to explore the region’s wine scene. Kendell noted that Virginia is particularly well known for this grape, which can produce wines with a different character from those made in other regions.
- Chambourcin
Chambourcin, a hybrid grape varietal, can be used to make both red wines and rosés. Kendell also highlighted the possibilities of blending it with grapes such as Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon to create something distinctive.
- Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng is another grape typically used in blends, and has become an exciting standalone white wine in Virginia. According to Kendell, the grape grows particularly well in the region and can produce excellent wines on its own.
- Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot is traditionally used as a blending grape in France, but Virginia wineries have found success producing it as a standalone wine. Kendell explained that local winemakers have been making single-varietal Petit Verdot wines for years, with impressive results.
- Tannat
For anyone who prefers a bold red, Tannat might be the move. Kendell has been experimenting with the variety at The Winery at Bull Run and likes its ability to produce wines with structure, weight, and a fuller-bodied character. He also uses Tannat as a base in one of the winery’s red blends to create a bigger, bolder wine.
- Viognier
For white wine lovers, Viognier is another variety worth knowing. Kendell highlighted it as one of Virginia’s standout white grapes, making it a natural choice for anyone who typically reaches for a glass of white wine.
Virginia Wine Month
This year marks the 39th year of Virginia Wine Month, which was originally meant to be a harvest celebration of locally-made wines. The first Virginia Wine Month had 40 participating wineries. Now, there are over 300 vineyards and thousands of acres of grapes planted statewide.
Northern Virginia is part of the Middleburg American Viticultural Area (AVA), which is a federally recognized wine-growing region. It covers roughly 130,000 acres across parts of Loudoun, Fauquier, and Clarke counties. Today, the region is home to dozens of wineries and vineyards, including Boxwood Estate Winery, Greenhill Vineyards, Chrysalis Vineyards, Breaux Vineyards, and Stone Tower Winery.
See more: Il Radicchio Brings 30+ Years of Pasta Nights to a New Clarendon Home
While The Winery at Bull Run is not located within the Middleburg Virginia AVA; it sits nearby in Northern Virginia’s broader wine country, where dozens of wineries are producing distinctly Virginia-made wines. Maybe the best part about a visit to any Virginia vineyard is that you can make the experience truly your own – from picking the tasting room that matches your vibe to tasting what wines are appealling that day, there’s always something new to explore.
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