I’ve always wanted to go wine tasting and for my first time I decided to try Veramar Vineyard, Berryville Virginia. I looked up many vineyards and read reviews and heard many good things about Veramar Vineyard. I heard that Veramar had beautiful views and well rated wines.

It is said, “like fine wine it gets better with age”. This is also the case and motto of Veramar Vineyard, in fact on their website it says “Like fine wine, we get better everyday.”

Veramar Vineyard is a 100-acre private estate
and winery set in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Vineyard is just 55 minutes from the Washington DC area and definitely a “must see” for it’s spectacular views. The Bogaty Family owns and operates this small and quaint vineyard with a Tuscan ambience.

The family hails from the Italian Alps where even today its’ members still own and operate a small vineyard in Italy. A generation later, Jim Bogaty decided that it was time to return the family to its roots and in 2000 started a Vineyard here in the States. Today, three generations of the Bogaty family Della and Jim, along with their son, Justin, and their two daughters, Tiffany and Ashley, carry on the legend, dedicated to continuing the family’s tradition of excellence in winemaking.

The vineyard produces 5,000 cases of wine per year, which is a lot of wine for a boutique vineyard. Veramar Vineyard produces Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vidal Blanc, Bordeaux styled red, Sevyal Blanc, and Norton. Some of their wines have been noted for their excellence in flavor. The Norton, a red wine, received a Gold Medal at the 2006 Indiana International Wine. The Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc have been noted by French critics as preferred wines over French wines. There are many options to give your taste buds and to find the right wine for you at this winery.

After speaking with Jim, I got the sense of why he and his family are so passionate about the vineyard. They really have created a place where people can come and enjoy wine and spend the day enjoying the scenery. The family oriented events allow adults to enjoy wine while the kids can take part in the fun activities. I asked him why he started the vineyard, he said “I retired from the corporate world and bought this estate in Clark County and wanted something to do and carry on a tradition of wine making from the old country”. I asked Jim how the vineyard is unique compared to others and he mentioned “We do a lot of events year round so that you can come here with your family.”



In addition to events, the winery averages 20 weddings per year on the estate. Jim says “We had a Miss Virginia, Miss Maryland and Miss America that had their weddings here, but not all at the same time”. I can see why they would have their weddings  here, the amazing views of the Blue Ridge Mountain are mesmerizing. The best part about the vineyard is that one can feel right at home with the hospitality of the family-run business. If you love good wine, wonderful food, and wine education - don’t miss this vineyard.