With a nationally recognized red blend, Virginia’s first Regenerative Certified Winery and Vineyard, and the debut of Sauvignon Rytos 2025, Ashton Creek Vineyard is helping shape what’s next for Virginia wine.
What does the future of Virginia wine look like?
At Ashton Creek Vineyard in Chesterfield, it looks like sheep grazing between vineyard rows, hybrid grape varieties chosen for Virginia’s climate, and wines that are earning national recognition.
This year, the winery’s Gravity 2022 blend was named one of VinePair’s 30 Best Red Blends for 2026. It also became Virginia’s first Regenerative Certified Winery and Vineyard and released Sauvignon Rytos 2025, its first commercial production of the variety.
While those milestones have brought attention to the winery, they’re all connected by a shared philosophy: finding better ways to grow grapes, make wine, and care for the land.
One Change Led to Another
The path to regenerative certification began with a desire to move away from herbicides in the vineyard.
Sheep were introduced to help manage vegetation while maintaining soil health. As those practices evolved, the winery focused on increasing biodiversity throughout the vineyard. Beneficial insects became part of the solution for managing pests, while diverse cover crops helped improve nutrient cycling, reduce soil compaction, and support overall soil health.
Over time, those efforts evolved into a broader regenerative farming approach.
Today, the winery is Virginia’s first Regenerative Certified Winery and Vineyard. Certification helps establish metrics for evaluating how those practices are performing while also providing a simple way to communicate the winery’s standards to consumers.
The Blend That Earned National Recognition
National recognition came this year when Gravity 2022 was named one of VinePair’s 30 Best Red Blends for 2026.
At the heart of the blend is Noiret, a relatively new hybrid grape variety developed through Cornell University’s grape breeding program. While not widely planted, Noiret has proven particularly well-suited to Virginia’s climate, requiring less intensive management while still producing structured red wines.
For Gravity 2022, the winery blended Noiret with Merlot and Tannat, creating a wine that balances depth, fruit character, and acidity.
Meet Sauvignon Rytos 2025
Sauvignon Rytos, an Italian hybrid variety known for its strong fungal resistance, was planted at Ashton Creek Vineyard in 2022. After three years of growth, the vines produced fruit for the winery’s first commercial vintage.
Recently released, Sauvignon Rytos 2025 marks the winery’s first commercial production of the variety.
The medium-bodied white wine features notes of roasted pear and banana and exceeded the winery’s initial expectations for the variety.
Like Gravity 2022, Sauvignon Rytos 2025 reflects a willingness to explore grape varieties that are well-suited to Virginia’s climate while continuing to produce high-quality wines.
More Than a Winery
The goal has always been to create a welcoming environment where first-time wine drinkers and seasoned collectors alike can find something they enjoy.
Great food, thoughtfully crafted wines, and vineyard views come together to create an experience that encourages guests to slow down, stay awhile, and enjoy the moment.
Whether you’re visiting for a tasting, sharing a meal with friends, or trying a glass of the newly released Sauvignon Rytos 2025, Ashton Creek provides a welcoming place to spend an afternoon in Chesterfield, VA.
Ashton Creek Vineyard
14501 Route 1 Chester, VA 23831
