DuCard Vineyards: Elevating the Tasting Experience
DuCard Vineyards has pressed the innovation curve in Virginia since its founding 25 years ago.
The drive to be different, to be better, and to pioneer a new vineyard tradition relentlessly springs from DuCard’s owner, Scott Elliff. And while that drive is continuous, Elliff understands the value of handing the steering wheel to talented staff around him.
Tucked under the Blue Ridge Mountains of Shenandoah National Park in a scenic Madison County valley, DuCard captures lovely light and offers classic Virginia views. Their wines are handmade with traditional methods under the keen eye of winemaker Julien Durantie. Using grapes from three local vineyard sites allows for a true sense of local terroir in each bottle. However, a prime example of DuCard Vineyards’ innovation can be found through their non-traditional tasting program, the tableside flight.
The flight 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. 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!
Award-Winning Wines
Considering the significant critical success their wines have been enjoying, they have added a Gold Medal flight (one for just reds and another for just whites – that’s a lot of gold medals). And, a sparkling flight, called the ‘Celebration Flight’ that includes sparkling wine, cider, and port-style dessert wine.
DuCard is honored to have won three gold medals for red wines at the 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup. Their 2023 Cabernet Franc, fermented and aged in stainless steel, exhibits a floral nose, red fruits, and fresh herbs. The 2023 Cabernet Franc Vintners Reserve has a beautiful depth of color, warm mouthfeel, and well-defined structure. The 2023 Triskele, made from three varietals from DuCard’s three vineyard sites, is made by winemaker Julien Durante only when the harvest has provided exceptional grapes and is bold, balanced, and structured. They also struck gold at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition with their 2023 Whetstone Run Chardonnay that exhibits a lovely bouquet of tropical fruit and minerality with zesty acidity and a mouthwatering finish; the 2023 Tana Chardonnay with the aroma of pineapple and mineral characteristics with vibrant acidity, a hint of oak, and a weighty finish; and the 2023 Signature Viognier which has notes of apricot, pear, and honeysuckle with a lovely salinity and a bright finish.
Now celebrating their 25th year, DuCard Vineyards has taken broad strides every year since Scott laid roots into what was formerly an apple orchard.
Another of DuCard’s innovative tasting experiences is Armchair Expeditions, an interactive wine education series led by DipWSET-certified wine educator Ann Czaja that allows you to travel the world of wine without leaving your seat. These special tasting events occur throughout the year at DuCard and focus on one specific wine with samples from all over the world for each.
Ann also happens to be the only U.S-based Lindt Master Chocolatier and her wine and chocolate pairing sessions are delightfully delicious. This event is also held twice a year and is one of the favorites of guests as well as staff. The fun does not stop there with events such as Seafood Saturday, LobsterPalooza, and Farm to Table Dinners interspersed throughout their calendar.
If it is live music you crave, you can certainly find it at DuCard with local musicians playing on the weekends. From May to October there is music from 5 to 8pm on Friday nights and from 2 to 5 on Saturdays and Sundays. From November to April the music is on Saturday and Sunday. These small touches give the winery a happy ‘Cheers’ type atmosphere where guests come and find a warm friendly atmosphere that makes them want to linger over a bottle with family and friends. Consult their calendar of events for upcoming musicians and sign up for their newsletter to get the latest in your inbox each week.
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, contact information and their calendar of events.
