OVERVIEW:

This is the newest AVA in Virginia and is situated close to some of Virginia’s largest cities - Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond and Williamsburg.

SOILS: 

The soil is made of sand, mud and gravel laid down during the Cenozoic era (the last 66 million years) when this countryside was underwater. The bedrock is porous and fractured, which proponents claim helps with root depth and water penetration.

CLIMATE:

This AVA is warmer and wetter than neighboring wine regions to the north and west, making grape farming especially challenging.

TERRAIN:

The Virginia Peninsula AVA is situated on The Atlantic Coastal Plain. Elevation ranges from sea level to 250 feet.

KEY WINERIES:

• Upper Shirley

• Williamsburg

• New Kent

• Jolene

• Saudé Creek