New Heights for Mountain Run Winery

• Posted on 30 March 2023
• Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot, Petit Manseng, Petit Verdot, vioginer, Virginia
• 0

Mountain Run made the biggest splash in its short existence at the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Cup state-wide wine tasting competition, garnering three gold medals – one of very few wineries to pull off the feat. Gold medals were awarded to the Mountain Run 2021 vintage Petit Manseng, Petit Verdot, and Viognier. The Petit Verdot was named by the judging panel as part of the “Governor’s Case,” which includes the top 12 wines in the state for the year, making this winery one of the top wineries to go visit in Virginia.

In addition, silver medals were awarded at the Governor’s Cup for their 2017 Merlot, 2018 Meritage and 2021 Oaked Chardonnay, and bronze medals for their 2017 Shiraz, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2019 Norton. Mountain Run wines also received a pair of silver medals at the 2022 Atlantic Seaboard Winery Association competition, for the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2018 Meritage. Early vintages were from grapes sourced from partner winery Altillo, located in Hurt, Virginia.

Established in 2015, by David Foster, Mountain Run Winery is located on Mountain Run Lake Road, in Culpepper, Virginia. The winery is named after the Mountain Run waterway that navigates from Mountain Run Lake, along the rear of the property, and into Lake Pelham. 

In 1727, Sarah Greenlee was born in Culpeper County to a family of Irish immigrants. In 2015, Sarah’s nine-generations-removed grandson, David Foster figured the time was right to return to Culpeper, and he purchased a 25-acre farm on the banks of Mountain Run in Culpeper. David comes from a long line of farmers and pioneers (ask about his connection to Daniel Boone if you get a chance), and the opportunity to work the land and to build something unique drew him to this spot.

David is one of Virginia’s youngest winery owners, and the path that led him to start Mountain Run Winery is likely unique in Virginia, as well. Following a doctoral degree in criminology, a 22-month deployment to Iraq, and a stint as a college professor at George Mason University, David felt the urge to get back to his agricultural roots, and to build something lasting with his hands. Knowing a little about farming, but almost nothing about viticulture, David benefited tremendously from the mentorship of other area wineries, farmers, and his neighbors. Mountain Run Winery is a testament to the wonderful Culpeper community, and the generous spirit of the folks who have helped along the way.

This weekend we will be tasing Mountain Run’s Virginia Governor’s Case winner, 2021 Petit Verdot, and gold medal winners, 2021 Petit Manseng and 2021 Viognier. To round out things, we will also be sampling the 2021 Dirt Road rose. Cheers, and see you soon.