If you’re just starting a wine collection, you’re likely already familiar with the classics—Bordeaux, Burgundy, Chianti, Rioja, and Napa. And with a little time, you’ll start to encounter some great values in the New World, such as Barossa, Casablanca, Stellenbosch, or Sonoma.

But only a few will embark upon a wine journey to the eastern United States, specifically Virginia, a state that has been producing exceptional quality wines for more than two decades. Several winemakers here have started to master the area’s unique terroir to produce age-worthy, collectible bottles.

I’ve had a front-row seat to watch this evolution. I was born and raised in Central Virginia, and I went to school in the heart of Virginia wine country in Charlottesville. I currently reside in Northern Virginia and have been studying and writing about these wines for the past three years.

Today, some of the top producers have a library of wines that will increase in value and quality for decades to come. This list is not exhaustive by any means, but it will shed light on where you should look first.

The Case for Virginia: History and Terroir 

Virginia’s climate might be one of the most diverse of any wine region in the U.S. The potential for spring frost, heavy rain, drought, and even hurricanes can keep any winemaker on their toes. This is also what makes winemakers here some of the sharpest and most creative in the country. Years ago, a former assistant winemaker at the Winery at Bull Run in Delaplane told me that having to work with hybrids and deal with changing weather was a badge of honor, and that really stuck with me. 

That being said, the history and climate in Virginia have certain similarities to some of the world's top wine regions. The latitude in most of Virginia wine country is comparable to that of Central Italy, and the summers are similar to those in Bordeaux. The state's winemaking history dates back for centuries, with some records of plantings as far back as 1609. Many are familiar with Virginia's 18th century wine experiments led by Thomas Jefferson, who enlisted the support of French and Italian winemakers to bring viticulture to the colonies.

Today, with this history, climate, and a new generation of winemaking talent, the state has nearly 350 wineries, some of which have won national awards. Savvy collectors should consider investing in some of the region's best bottles now.

The Cellar Selections: Wineries to Collect From Now

Barboursville Vineyards

Barboursville is in the heart of Charlottesville’s Monticello AVA, and it's one of the oldest active wineries in the state. Established in 1976 by Gianni Zonin, the winery leveraged the family's 150 years of winemaking tradition in Veneto, Italy to build a legendary winery here in Virginia. Barboursville is now run by Gianni’s three sons, and led by renowned winemaker Luca Paschina who joined the business in 1990.

The wines here are consistent winners of Virginia’s Governor’s Cup, and include a variety of Italian grapes such as Nebbiolo and Vermentino, along with classic French varieties like Cabernet Franc and Viognier.

Their flagship wine is Octagon, a Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Produced in the best vintages, these wines are often characterized by ripe black fruit, dried flowers, and savory notes of mushroom. In addition to the striking balance and structure, Paschina crafts these wines to last 30 years or more. The 2014 and 2017 vintages are shining examples that should be a part of every collection.

Linden Vineyards

Linden Vineyards is led by a true pioneer in Virginia winemaking. Jim Law founded Linden in 1983 after being hired to start a winery in the Shenandoah Valley, which later became known as Hardscrabble Vineyard. Since then, Law has mentored some of the top winemakers in the state and is widely credited for Virginia’s current focus on site-specific viticulture. 

Today, Linden produces more than 4,000 cases of wine from three distinct sites in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are also prominently featured on each label. The wines are largely the classic French varieties—Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and red blends.

The Hardscrabble line (named after his first winery), which is often lauded across the state, includes Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and a red blend, all of which are worth the investment. The Chardonnay is particularly fine, marked by its balanced acidity, minerality, and orchard fruit notes.

Lost Mountain

Most of Virginia’s wineries are influenced by French wine culture, but Lost Mountain takes it to another level. In 2023, two Bordelais brothers, Martin and Olivier Bouygues, owners of the famous Château Montrose in St. Estéphe, purchased the esteemed RdV in Northern Virginia. They renamed it Lost Mountain Vineyards a year later.

Led by winemaker and Master of Wine Joshua Grainer, Lost Mountain focuses on Bordeaux-style blends that are meant to age. Their flagship is the titular Lost Mountain, a Left-Bank-inspired blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and Rendezvous, a Right-Bank-inspired blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. 

Both are stunning wines. Lost Mountain is a bit more intense with its tannic profile and black fruit notes—black cherry, black currant, blackberry. Rendezvous is more round and plush, with softer tannins and more fruit intensity, with notes of raspberry, black cherry, and plum.

Look for either Rendezvous or Lost Mountain in top vintages like 2017, 2019, and 2022. If you can get a hold of the 2010s in the library, even better.

Ankida Ridge Vineyards

Ankida Ridge might not be a name that some collectors know yet, but it’s a good time to learn about this winery. Dennis and Christine Vrooman were veterinarians looking for a place to retire, when they found some land in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They decided to plant vines when some additional land was accidentally cleared during the process. Virginia is not known for Pinot Noir, but at 1,800 feet of elevation on well-draining soils the Vroomans make some of the best in the state. 

Led by their son Nathan, the team produces exceptional, fruit-forward Pinot Noir along with a Chardonnay and a Blanc de Noir sparkling wine. The Pinot Noir tends to lean toward Oregon or Burgundy with earthy forest floor notes, dark cherries and hints of vanilla. Tannins are more present in these wines, which have a balanced acidity. Look for their 2017 and 2022 Reserve Pinot Noir bottles, both of which have plenty of room to age.

Stinson Vineyards

Stinson refers to itself as a “garagiste” winery. This small and lean operation was originally owned by the father-daughter duo Scott and Rachel Stinson. More recently, the team added Rachel’s husband, Nathan Vrooman, who was the winemaker at Ankida Ridge. The wines have taken the state by storm, winning gold in the 2025 Governor’s Cup.

Meritage blends are a signature for wines in the state, and Stinson’s 2021 Meritage is a brilliant example. The 2021 vintage was a standout for Virginia—there were a few minor spring frosts and some late summer rain, but overall it was a dry and hot growing season. The 2021 Meritage is a Right-Bank-inspired blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 18 months in French oak, it’s well balanced with notes of plum, blackberries, baking spices and vanilla. 

Beyond the Meritage, consider the 2023 Mourvédre and Cabernet Franc. The 2023 vintage is one of Virginia’s best in recent history.

Veritas Vineyards

Veritas Vineyards is a family-owned winery in the Monticello AVA. It was founded by Andrew and Patricia Hodson in 1999, with the first vintage starting in 2001. It’s now run by their children—George, who is the CEO; Emily, the head winemaker; and Chloe, the youngest daughter and project manager.

They grow several varieties, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Petit Verdot, along with lesser-known grapes like Petit Manseng. Like many Virginia wineries, they are best known for their blends—both their Monticello white blend and their Reserve red blends have won awards across the country.

Their Reserve blends are their flagship wines, only made in the best circumstances. The 2022 Reserve vintage, released in their 25th year in business, is a stunning blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. This wine has bright red and black fruit aromas complemented by baking spice and vanilla, and has a well-structured palate with balanced acidity and refined tannins.

Both the 2022 and 2023 vintages (the latest vintage) are worthy of holding for up to 20 years.