Fairfax and Loudoun area home owners may not be travelling quite as much given the current economic environment. All the more reason to be aware of what is in our immediate area.
One interesting local attraction to put on your list is Fairfax County’s only vineyard, Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton.
If you have an appreciation for history, you will love the Paradise Springs story. We are talking serious history here! None other than Lord Fairfax himself provided the original land grant in 1716. Descendants of the same family still own the expansive Clifton area property to this day.
After an arduous campaign, which was not without controversy, to enable use of the property for agriculture – as with the vineyard and winery – the owners prevailed. They did not know “the wrath of grapes” would decend upon them when they started to make this happen, but they stayed with it. The result is that Fairfax County now has the first and only commercial vineyard in the County. Paradise Springs Winery is now open to the public.
Chatting with family member and co-owner, Kirk Wiles, it is obvious that the creation of Paradise Springs was and is a labor of love. Kirk is especially proud of keeping the land in agricultural use. He is also extremely serious about producing world class wines and currently has eight varietals released. They had their Grand Opening just a week or so ago, and Kirk tells me it was a huge success.
The property features an historic log cabin and tasting room. Frank Lloyd Wright fans might be interested to know that the renovation of the structure was done in 1955 by a Wright protege.
PARADISE SPRINGS WINERY IN CLIFTON VA
Of course, wineries are about the wine, and Paradise Springs is already making quite a name for itself with a growing list of awards. Visit their well designed website for location, hours, wine types, and other information. We wish Kirk, Jane, and Drew all the best as they make Fairfax history!
VINEYARD AT PARADISE SPRiNGS WINERY