Venue Information
Public🏡 Key Venue Details
About the owners
Kalero Vineyard is guided by owner Ann Fortin, who oversaw the ambitious transformation of the historic barn that now anchors the property. Drawing on her background in interior design, she managed the 18-month renovation with a focus on preserving original materials and honoring the site’s agricultural character. Today, Ann leads both the vineyard and the Heartstone Barn event space, finding deep fulfillment in welcoming guests for milestone celebrations and sharing the landscape her family has come to love.
History of the venue
Set on 130 acres along Short Hill Mountain, Kalero Vineyard occupies a farmstead whose roots stretch back to the early 19th century. The signature barn—built in 1834 and marked with the initials of Andrew Copeland and John Price—survived the Civil War’s burning raids and remained a landmark despite decades of decline. When the property changed hands in 2015, the new owners began a meticulous restoration: original timber beams and stonework were preserved, antique hardware was reused for the new barn doors, and reclaimed wood was integrated throughout the structure. The result, known affectionately as the Heartstone Barn after a heart-shaped stone found by the owner’s twin daughters, reopened in 2017 and continues to serve as a welcoming gathering place overlooking the vineyard’s rolling acreage.
Winemaking philosophy
Kalero Vineyard produces small-lot wines that reflect both the character of its Short Hill Mountain site and the thoughtful care devoted to its 14 acres of vines. While much of the fruit is sold to other Virginia wineries, the estate now crafts a growing selection of wines for its own events and tastings, focusing on showcasing the quality of its hand-tended varietals. In the restored barn’s tasting room, guests can explore these wines in an atmosphere that blends rustic authenticity with understated elegance—an experience shaped as much by the vineyard’s sense of place as by the craftsmanship behind each bottle.
