Local winemakers trace roots to PVCC

Since 2005, Workforce Services at Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) has been offering a wide range of programs. One that has been featured at the school for nearly four years is the Viticulture and Enology Program, which offers courses that teach students how to brew their own beer, to pair wine with food and to start their own vineyard.

“The [Virginia Community College System (VCCS)] offered a grant to develop Workforce Services. PVCC proposed a Viticulture and Enology Program and the VCCS accepted our proposal,” said Greg Rosko, Program Manager of Viticulture and Enology at Workforce Services.

Since the program was first offered, students have opened at least eight wineries and vineyards.

Hal White and Christine Wallin were searching for properties in Madison, Virginia when they came across the 30-acre Lazy Creek Farm. They were given a recommendation to speak with Gabrielle Rausse, a part-time instructor at PVCC, in order to assess the land for the potential of starting a vineyard.

“We browsed the PVCC catalog and decided to take the Viticulture and Enology Programs so that hopefully we would make fewer mistakes, and meet knowledgeable people associated with the wine industry,” said White.

Over time, the two considered many career options to occupy their time after they retired. White and Wallin never thought they would start making wine.

“When we first met, I hardly drank wine,” said White. “We had toured many wineries and I developed a fondness for wine. I had always dreamed of living on a farm, but had no experience in farming.  We decided that starting a vineyard would be an endeavor that we could pursue jointly and it satisfied my desire for a farm.”

White and Wallin have not yet retired and still have full-time jobs in Arlington, Virginia. On the weekends they travel to Madison, where they have planted the first two acres of what will eventually be an eight-acre vineyard.

“We will be planting 2,800 vines on two acres in the spring, which will give us four acres of vines. Tending them will take every spare moment of every weekend, during most of the year,” said White.

White and Wallin are happy with their decision to start a vineyard and to include PVCC in the journey.

“To anyone contemplating getting into vineyard and winery work we strongly recommend taking the courses in the Viticulture and Enology Program at PVCC,” said White.

Another local vineyard with connections to PVCC’s Viticulture and Enology Program is Stinson Vineyards, located in Crozet.  Rachel Stinson moved from New York to Crozet in 2010 to help her father, Scott, start the vineyard.

“I think it had always been a secret dream of my dad to open a vineyard,” said Stinson. “His plan was to retire down here but somehow he found a property with an old vineyard. He decided he wanted to replant and possibly open a winery.”

In 2010, the vineyard made 600 cases of wine, 12 bottles per case, and last year they doubled that made 1200 cases. This year they will be making 1500 cases.

This spring, Stinson will be teaming with PVCC’s Workforce Services to teach others about her passion.

“We are very excited to be hosting two classes this March,” said Stinson.  “The first class is Wine Blending on March 16 with Matthieu Finot and the second class is Winery Design and Equipment with Scott Stinson on March 23.”

To learn more about Stinson Vineyards, please visit stinsonvineyards.com. For more information on PVCC’s Viticulture and Enology Program, readers can visit the program’s online digital brochure at digital.pvcc.edu/i/78112 or contact Greg Rosko at grosko@pvcc.edu.