Zoll Vineyards will invest over $436,000 to open a new farm-to-table winery in Gloucester County, Virginia. Located in the small community of Dutton, Zoll Vineyards will become only the second winery on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula, and the only one in its eastern region.

Sourcing grapes, honey, and apples from throughout the Commonwealth, Zoll Vineyards will produce a variety wines, meads, and ciders, highlighting the quality and diversity of Virginia agriculture. The commitment to 100 percent Virginia sourcing will lead to $221,000 in purchases from Virginia farms over the next three years.

“I am excited to open the first farm winery in Gloucester County and have the opportunity to highlight all of the great products from local Tidewater farms, watermen and other artisans that will be paired with our wines, ciders, and mead,” said Zoll Vineyards Owner Frank Zoll. “I hope that our vineyard-to-table parings will help showcase our community and the winery will provide a venue for local wine enthusiasts to celebrate all the bay has to offer.”

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) worked with the Gloucester County Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Zoll Vineyards to secure this project for Virginia. Governor Northam approved a $10,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund for the project, which the EDA will match with local funds.

“With this new winery and a commitment to source exclusively from Virginia, Zoll Vineyards is harvesting opportunity for Virginia producers and brewing new vitality in this corner of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Northam. “We thank the company for investing in rural Virginia and look forward to toasting their sweet success in the Commonwealth.”

“Connecting locally grown food with locally produced wines, ciders, and meads is a great way to leverage Virginia’s culinary resources for tourism and greater economic impact,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring. “I am pleased that the Commonwealth and Gloucester County could partner through the AFID fund to support this project and help bring this exciting new winery to this region of Virginia.”

“Zoll Vineyards will make a fantastic addition to Virginia’s burgeoning wine industry,” said Senator Thomas Norment, Jr. “Every day, more consumers learn that Virginia wineries produce some of the most distinctive wines available. And, communities across the Commonwealth have learned that wineries are good for business, good for the economy, and even good for tourism. Zoll Vineyards’ decision to locate in Gloucester will add to the rich character of the Middle Peninsula, making a great addition to the community.”