The Wehner family has been growing wine in Virginia for two generations.  The first vineyards were planted in 1970 in Great Falls.  In 1999, Chatham Vineyards were planted by Jon Wehner and his wife, Mills, at historic Chatham Farm on the Chesapeake Bay of Virginia's Eastern Shore.  The vineyards contain more than 20 acres of high-density, VSP trellised French vinifera varietals Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.  The vineyards are cane pruned during the winter months to balance the vines and limit yields. The grapes are hand-picked and sorted before pressing to ensure the highest quality. Grapes not vinified onsite are sold to other wineries in Virginia. The Wehner family also owns and operates Eastern Shore Classic Wines to distribute their award-winning Church Creek label to restaurants and retailers in Virginia. 

The winery was constructed in 2005 and currently has an annual production capacity of 5,000 cases.  State-of-the-art European equipment and French and Virginia oak cooperage are used for winemaking. Future plans include the relocation and restoration of a 1890s farmhouse adjoining the winery to serve as a tasting room and special events facility.  The winery, offering complimentary tours and tastings, is open to the public Monday through Thursday 10 AM to 5 PM and on Sundays from 12 noon to 5 PM.  Wines include a steel-fermented Dijon Chardonnay and the Vintner's Blend reserve, favorites that sell-out every year. 

The land at Chatham, which overlooks Church Creek, was patented in 1640. The Federal-period brick house, Chatham, was built in 1818 by Major Scarborough Pitts and named for William Pitt, the Earl of Chatham and friend of the American Revolution. The historic outbuildings, barns and two early 1900s homes on the property have been renovated in recent years. Chatham Farm has been a working farm for four centuries.

Virginia's Eastern Shore is an enchanting place of family farms, small towns and waterside villages located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. Watermen still work the tides and farmers plow the fields trailed by sea gulls. Fresh seafood, history, ecotourism and open space abound on "the Shore".

For more information on Chatham wines, visit www.chathamvineyards.net or call 757-678-5588.