Brief history of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail

Ingleside established the trend of grape growing in the area.  The 3,000 acre facility has a long colorful history 
including many years as a successful plant nursery.   In 1978 the first commercial vineyards in Westmoreland 
County were planted by the Flemer family at Ingleside Plantation in Oak Grove.  By 1980 the vineyards were 
producing grapes, and Ingleside Vineyards became the first winery in the region. Ingleside and their winemaker 
at the time, Jacques Recht, were instrumental in helping the Virginia Alcohol Control Board write the laws to 
establish the 1980 Virginia Farm Winery Act.

Ingleside developed a strong following and production numbers have increased steadily through the years.  Many 
visitors to other popular attractions in the area have considered a stop at Ingleside a must.  Stratford Hall, George 
Washington Birthplace National Monument and Colonial Beach are just a few of the attractions in the vicinity 
of Ingleside.  Their popularity helped establish a wine industry in the state and a wine trail in the Chesapeake 
Bay Region. 

The Brandts family has been making wine since the 1950's.  It started as a hobby and in the mid 1960's they 
were having great success at winemaking.  The current vineyard site was planted in 1986, and Oak Crest 
Vineyard and Winery was established in 2001.  As a small family operation they represent the most common 
form of a Virginia farm winery.

Belle Mount Vineyards planted vines in 2001 with the vineyard and winery as an additional amenity for the 
recreation facility, Heritage Park Resort.  Ray and Catherine Petrie planted the vines and turned the lower level 
of a banquet facility into a tasting room in 2004. A wine trail was taking shape when they met with the local tourism 
council and learned that there were others interested in planting grapes and building wineries in the region.

Today there are eight wineries in the wine trail and several more in the works.