DuCard Vineyards: Elevating the Tasting Experience
In the world of wine and wineries the best way to present the story of the business and its special product is ever-changing.
The guest’s experience and what they think about the wine and their visit is always on the top of any owner’s list of things to consider when pondering business practices.
Scott Elliff, the owner at DuCard Vineyards, wondered what it would look like to take the idea of a flight and tasting to the next level.
Instead of visitors standing three deep at the bar waiting their turn to try the wines, Scott wanted to make sure they could experience all that DuCard has to offer. From spectacular views of the Blue Ridge in the light and airy tasting room or at a table outside with the sound of the water in Popham Run nearby, DuCard offers a scenic, relaxing background for your personal wine tasting experience.
What resulted is DuCard’s tableside flight, which includes four wines— white, red or mixed—that rotate with newly released, current or, occasionally, library wines. Each two-ounce pour comes in a DuCard logo crystal glass carried to your table in a custom-made wrought iron holder by a friendly, knowledgeable member of the DuCard staff who will introduce the wines and share some of the story of DuCard as well. They’ve all been trained on “romancing the grape,” and the experience does not end there. Your staff member becomes an ambassador and comes back to check on you during your stay to answer questions and bring a little bonus as well.
The entire visit is orchestrated to provide a unique experience designed for each guest.
Conversation with the staff is directed by the guest, with as much or as little interaction as you like. Bring your own picnic or try the locally sourced cheeses, warm baguettes fresh out of the oven, or gluten-free crackers, plus spreads, peanuts, and chocolates made with DuCard wine inside!
The flexibility of this model allows DuCard to add additional flights such as the Gold Medal Flight now being offered. DuCard is honored to have won three gold medals for red wines at the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup with one wine, the 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve, being selected as part of the Governor’s Case. The fourth gold medal wine is the popular Veni Vidi Vino, or V3, that won a Double Gold in the 2024 San Francisco Chronicles wine competition. The V3, a blend of Chardonnay and Viognier, provides lively notes of pear and white flowers. The 2022 Cabernet Franc Reserve, grown from grapes at their Whetstone Vineyard, exhibits notes of pepper and cherry in a most traditional way. The Case winner, the 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve grown at the DuCard estate vineyard, offers the comparison of two growing seasons, 2022 versus 2023, on the same tasting with the earthy aromas of currant, plums, and fennel. Robust and smooth, you might note expressions of clove, black cherry and pink peppercorn with classic chalky tannins. The last wine is the 2021 Triskele, a blend of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Tannat. It has a well-defined and elegant bouquet with a robust and lingering finish. Made only when DuCard’s harvest has provided exceptional grapes, it’s just the fifth time this wine has been created by the winemaker, Julien Durantie.
Now celebrating their 15th year, DuCard Vineyards has taken broad strides every year since Scott laid roots into what was formerly an apple orchard.
In addition to its reputation for impassioned, friendly staff and fantastic wine, the winery has garnered well-deserved recognition for both their product and the renewable energy practices that sustain it. DuCard is good at being green for the same reason they’re good at making wine—it’s a passion project for all involved, one that connects nature and compellingly delicious wine with people who appreciate both. DuCard uses solar panels to power their lighting, heat, and cooling, as well as making wine. The solar panels also run the Tesla and EV electric car-charging station. The tasting room is open every day, with local musicians providing live music with no cover, and late-night hours May to October. No reservations are necessary but are recommended for groups larger than 6 people.
Planning a trip? Click here to find the DuCard Vineyard’s hours, location, and contact information.
