Winery

Photo By Kevin Blackburn

About the Vineyard

“Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance.”

-Benjamin Franklin

Virginia is a state steeped in wine culture. From Thomas Jefferson and his love of all things wine to our current wine lovers, growers, and makers forging ahead into the future, all have had one idea in mind: Make excellent wine from Virginia-grown grapes for all to enjoy.

The vineyard itself is where we begin. John and Shelby Higgs, the owners of Barren Ridge Vineyards, began their journey towards cultivating and bottling Shenandoah Valley wines in 2004. Upon retiring from their previous careers, they set out to renovate and add to an existing apple barn on what once was St. James Orchard, previously owned by John’s father, James Albert Higgs. Keeping the land’s heritage and history in mind, John and Shelby transformed their former apple orchard into a new dream, the first vineyard and winery in Augusta County, Virginia.

A young Barren Ridge Vineyards.

Barren Ridge Vineyards is located on a high ridge in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, cradled between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. Warm dry days and cool nights promote ripening of the grapes while maintaining the fruit’s essential flavors and aromas from vine to bottle.

The Shenandoah Valley is considered a semi-arid climate due to its close proximity to two mountain ranges. At 1400 feet, Barren Ridge Vineyards derives its name from the unusual weather pattern which directs rain clouds away from the ridge. These effects coupled with the near constant breeze helps to provide an optimum growing environment for grapes.