Venue Information
Public🏡 Key Venue Details
About the owners
Greenhill Vineyards carries forward the vision of Wayne and Juanita Swedenburg, retired foreign service officers who transformed the historic Valley View farm into one of Northern Virginia’s pioneering vineyards in the early 1980s. Inspired by their love of French wines, the Swedenburgs planted some of the region’s first Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir vines, and Juanita made history by winning a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that allowed Virginia wineries to ship directly to customers. In 2013, entrepreneur David Greenhill purchased the property, honoring its legacy while opening Greenhill Vineyards to the public as a showcase for Virginia’s terroir.
History of the venue
Nestled on a 128-acre farm that has been worked since 1762, Greenhill Vineyards combines centuries of agricultural heritage with award-winning winemaking. Nearly 100 acres remain home to a herd of Charolais cattle, raised on a natural diet as part of the estate’s enduring farm tradition. The vineyards, among the oldest in Northern Virginia, cultivate both classic European varietals and hybrids while also experimenting with new plantings to explore the character of Virginia soil. With its state-of-the-art tasting room and production facility, Greenhill offers visitors a rare blend of old-vine history, innovative winemaking, and the beauty of Middleburg’s hunt country.
Winemaking philosophy
Greenhill Vineyards’ winemaking philosophy is rooted in the belief that exceptional wine begins in the vineyard and is fully expressed through Virginia’s terroir. The team cultivates fruit that reflects the microclimates of their estate sites, embracing the individuality of each vintage rather than imposing uniformity. This approach extends from traditional European varietals—such as Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot—to sizeable plantings of Chambourcin, Seyval Blanc, and other experimental vines that help them better understand the nuances of their land. With one of Northern Virginia’s oldest vineyards as a foundation, Greenhill celebrates the depth and character of old vines while continually pursuing innovation. Their aim is to craft distinctive, award-winning wines made exclusively from Virginia grapes, nurturing each variety’s natural expression to create an authentically Virginian portfolio.
