Barren Ridge Vineyards Welcomes You
From 1897 until today....
Experience our evolution
from Apple Orchard to Modern Winery
Fishersville, Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley
"Wine makes daily life easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions, and more tolerance"
-Benjamin Franklin
Our Story
From the seed of an old apple orchard and the childhood home of our owner, this vineyard was born from a revival of this land and a dream
2009 Awards Won
2007 Meritage Gold+Best in show VA State Fair
2008 Christof 1st place Daylily + Wine Festival
2007 Petit Verdot Bronze VA Governors Cup
2007 Touriga Bronze VA Governors Cup
2008 Rose Bronze+Hon. Mention Daylily + Wine Festival
2008 Tinkling Spring Silver VA State Fair
2008 Christof Gold VA State Fair
2008 Red Barren Silver VA State Fair
2008 Viognier Silver VA State Fair
2009 Christof Silver VA Governors Cup
2004-2008
Many years of overgrowth had taken over the apple shed by this time. The conversion of the deserted property and shed took place during this time. The shed was expanded while retaining the original structure and wooden beams creating a state-of-the-art facility you see today. All the wood in the tasting room is reclaimed
2007
Petit Verdot and Merlot were the first to be planted here on the property.
April 21, 2008
Barren Ridge opens their doors after rejuvenation and remodeling of our 1890’s apple packing shed.
2008 Awards Won
2007 Touriga Bronze Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
2007 Traminette Bronze Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
2007 Viognier Bronze Atlantic Seabord Wine Competition
2007 Vidal Blanc Bronze Atlantic Seabaord Wine Competition
It was here in 2009 our winery dog and best employee Rascal showed up one day without an owner, orphaned and looking for a home. He adopted the hearts of his new owners John and Shelby. And the rest is history. If he is here when you visit he will lead you from your car to the winery entrance.
2010 Awards Won
2007 Meritage Bronze Finger Lakes International
2008 Vidal Blanc Bronze Finger Lakes International
2008 Traminette Silver Finger Lakes International
2008 Merlot Silver Finger Lakes International
2008 Viognier Silver Finger Lakes International
2008 Cabernet Franc Silver Finger Lakes International
2008 Chardonnay Silver VA Governors Cup
2009 Traminette Silver VA Governors Cup
2009 Tinkling Spring Bronze VA Governors Cup
2009 Christof Silver VA Governors Cup
2008 Viognier Gold VA State Fair
2008 Cabernet Franc Silver VA State Fair
2008 Meritage Gold VA State Fair
2008 Red Barren Silver VA State Fair
2011 Awards Won
2009 Tinkling Spring Gold Town Point Wine Competition
2009 Red Barren Gold Town Point Wine Competition
2009 Tinkling Spring Bronze Finger Lakes International
2009 Harmony Bronze Finger Lakes International
2009 Christof Silver Finger Lakes International
2008 Merlot Silver VA Governors Cup
2008 Cabernet Franc Bronze VA Governors Cup
2008 Meritage Silver VA Governors Cup
2009 Cabernet Franc Bronze VA Governors Cup
2009 Harmony Gold VA Governors Cup
2009 Christof Bronze VA Governors Cup
2009 Tinkling Spring Bronze VA Governors Cup
2010 Vidal Blanc Silver VA Governors Cup
2010 Viognier Bronze VA Governors Cup
2008 Meritage Gold + Best in show VA State Fair
2009 Christof Silver VA State Fair
2009 Tinkling Spring Silver VA State Fair
2012 Awards Won
2010 Tinkling Spring Silver International Women's Competition
2010 Vidal Blanc Silver International Women's Competition
2010 Petit Verdot Silver International Women's Competition
2010 Cabernet Franc Silver International Women's Competition
2008 Meritage Bronze San Francisco Chronical
2009 Tinkling Spring Silver San Francisco Chronical
2011 Viognier Silver San Francisco Chronical
2010 Vidal Blanc Silver VA Governors Cup
2009 Christof Silver VA Governors Cup
2009 Tinkling Spring Bronze VA Governors Cup
2009 Meritage Bronze VA Governors Cup
2009 Cabernet Franc Silver VA Governors Cup
2009 Petit Verdot Silver VA Governors Cup
2008 Meritage Silver VA Governors Cup
2009 Chardonnay Bronze VA Governors Cup
2010 Harmony Bronze VA Governors Cup
2013 Awards Won
2010 Chardonnay Bronze San Francisco Chronical
2009 Meritage Silver San Francisco Chronical
2011 Viognier Silver San Francisco Chronical
2010 Cabernet Franc Silver San Francisco Chronical
2011 Vidal Blanc Silver San Francisco Chronical
2009 Meritage Bronze VA Governors Cup
2010 Meritage Silver VA Governors Cup
2011 Vidal Blanc Bronze VA Governors Cup
2010 Viognier Bronze VA Governors Cup
2014 Awards Won
2009 Meritage Gold VA Governors Cup
2010 Meritage Silver VA Governors Cup
2012 Viognier Silver VA Governors Cup
2014 Red Barren Silver VA Governors Cup
2010 Merlot Silver VA Governors Cup
2012 Harmony Silver VA Governors Cup
2011 Christof Silver VA Governors Cup
2012 Tinkling Spring Bronze VA Governors Cup
2012 Vidal Blanc Bronze VA Governors Cup
2012 Viognier Silver VA State Fair
2011Christof Gold+ 1st place overall desert wine VA State Fair
2015 Awards Won
2014 Red Barren Bronze VA Governors Cup
2013 Harmony Silver VA Governors Cup
2010 meritage Silver VA Governors Cup
2013 Petit Verdot Silver VA Governors Cup
2013 Viognier Silver VA Governors Cup
2012 Petit Verdot Bronze VA Governors Cup
2016 Awards Won
2010 Meritage Gold VA Governors Cup
2014 Viognier Bronze VA Governors Cup
2014 Harmony Bronze VA Governors Cup
2014 Chardonnay Bronze VA Governors Cup
2017 Awards Won
2014 Meritage Silver VA Governors Cup
2014 Petit Verdot Silver VA Governors Cup
2015 Vidal Blanc Silver VA Governors Cup
2015 Tinkling Spring Silver VA Governors Cup
2015 Viognier Bronze VA Governors Cup
2015 Chardonnay Silver VA Governors Cup
2015 Cabernet Franc Bronze VA Governors Cup
2015 Touriga Silver VA Governors Cup
2018 Awards Won
2015 Petit Verdot Silver VA Governors Cup
2016 Touriga Silver VA Governors Cup
2016 Harmony Silver VA Governors Cup
2016 Merlot Silver VA Governors Cup
2014 Meritage Silver VA Governors Cup
2015 Meritage Silver VA Governors Cup
2016 Vidal Blanc Silver VA Governors Cup
2016 Viognier Silver VA Governors Cup
2016 Chardonnay Silver VA Governors Cup
1890
W.A Higgs Our owner John Higgs' Grandfather forms a partnership with mill owner J.A.Bell after his first plant burnt. After rebuilding they established a second plant in Charles Town, WV. Mr. Higgs would run the Charlestown plant until 1910. In 1897 Bell and Higgs purchased the land we currently reside on.
Emma K. Higgs and Husband Wilson Asbury Higgs
1 year before their Marriage
Picture Taken Circa 1892
1910
The Company Higgs and Young is formed. They Buy out J.A. Bell and sons operation and expand it. Higgs and Young operated an Apple Orchard orchard and barrel-making site here for a number of years. They were the leaders in making apple and flours barrels and handled large quantities of crates and baskets for fruit containers. (History of Virginia pg.549)
Coopers for the Higgs and Young cooperages were issued tokens for completed barrels. Incorporated in 1919, the Staunton-based business was touted as the largest manufacturer of fruit barrels in the state by 1929. Their affiliated workshops were located at Afton, Avon, Crozet, Fishersville, Jarman’s Gap, Massie’s Mill, Staunton and Waynesboro. Courtesy Phil James Historical Image
1930
John’s father leaves Shenandoah Junction, WV, and moves his family to Staunton. They take over the orchard here in Fisherville and tend to it during the apple boom. During this time Virginia was considered the largest producer of apples in the country.
1960
Barren Ridge had become dilapidated and abandoned after interstate and refrigerated truck travel decimated the apple industry in Virginia. Now people could get apples from all over the country.
1961
Audrey Blackford Higgs, John's mother, spent all her years of life working for social reform. She was a supporter of the common cause and equal rights of women. She was a Graduate of the Pioneer class of Mary Baldwin College and an avid Author. She spent 60 years fighting for reform of our state's mental health system and was a friend and defender of battered women. It was during this time she met and interviewed Queen Elizabeth Miller, whose life changed after witnessing an 8-year-old girl become orphaned after a horrific construction accident. In our tasting room, we have Audrey's book she wrote after this interview. It tells the story of how this African-American woman from southwest Virginia went on to "Build a Kingdom For Homeless Children".
2004
John and Shelby return home from Europe. John worked for Philip Morris all around the world. It was John and Shelby's time living in Europe when this dream was realized. After being exposed to European winemaking, John dreamed of turning his family’s dilapidated and abandoned apple orchard into a beautiful winery.
2017
John was elected president of the Shenandoah Valley Wine Growers Association. His goals as president of the SVWGA include “to gain further recognition for the Shenandoah Valley’s wines, to continue to improve the quality of our wines, to develop the Valley’s wine culture, and to cultivate the Valley’s reputation as a quality wine region both here in Virginia and along the East Coast.” He initiated the Shenandoah Wine Cup Competition
2018
Barren Ridge produces its first apple wine. Hearkening back to its time as an apple orchard and Johns time spent working in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan which is believed to be the birthplace of the apple.
2019
Barren Ridge won the first annual Shenandoah Cup.
Winning Gold for our 2015 Meritage.
2016 Port Silver VA Governors Cup
2017 Touriga Silver VA Governors Cup
2016 Cabernet Franc Bronze VA Governors Cup
2017 Harmony Bronze VA Governors Cup
2016 Petit Verdot Bronze VA Governors Cup
2017 Viognier bronze VA Governors Cup
2020
2015 Meritage Silver VA Governors Cup
2017 Touriga Silver VA Governors Cup
2017 Cabernet Franc Silver VA Governors Cup
2018 Traminette Bronze VA Governors Cup
2019 Christof Silver Shenandoah Cup
2019 Riesling Silver Shenandoah Cup
2019 Rose Silver Shenandoah Cup
2016 Merlot Silver Shenandoah Cup
2019
John's son Robert and wife Angela arrive from France to continue the legacy and lead Barren Ridge into a new era.
2021
2015 Meritage Gold VA Governors Cup
2019 Tinkling Spring Silver VA Governors Cup
2017 Petit Verdot Silver VA Governors Cup
2019 Christof Silver VA Governors Cup
The Future
Our Views
There is no shortage of breathtaking views here at Barren Ridge. From the patio, you can see west towards West Virginia and the Alleghany mountains. In the foreground stand "The Sisters" Betsy Bell and Mary Grey. Behind them stands Little North Mountain, North Mountain, and Elliot's knob the 7th highest peak in Virginia. To the north lies the 10th highest peak in Virginia Reddish Knob. We are within a half-hour drive of three national forests: The Shenandoah National Park and its famous Skyline Drive to the east, the George Washington National Forest to the east and west, and the Jefferson National Forest to the south. If you are a nature lover you are in one of the best spots in the world to explore.
'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view,
And robes the mountain in its azure hue.
Mary Grey
Staunton
Betsy Bell
Little North Mountain
North Mountain
Rt. 250 Towards WV
Reddish Knob
Rt. 33 Towards
WV
Elliot's Knob
Brother Knob
Our Winery
Walk just a few steps into the Tasting room and you can feel the Barren Ridge difference. It’s relaxed.
There is no hustle or hard pressure sales. It’s a place you want to spend time with friends and family.
Relax, eat together, enjoy our artisanal cheeses, Boars Head charcuterie, fresh baguettes, and enjoy the wine.
Barren Ridge Vineyards is a place of tranquility.
When you walk through the doors you leave the hustle of life behind and find a place where everyone could be a friend.
It’s a place where even people who are unfamiliar with the place feel at ease and a sense of warmth.
Enjoy the people around you and enjoy the wine here that reflects this wonderful environment.
"Wine and Friends are a great blend"
Ernest Hemmingway
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Barren Ridge Experiences
Vineyard Walks
1-5 People
$25 per person
6 or more
$15 per person
1-1.5 hr walk
with Robert Higgs
Detailed Explanations of
Growth cycles
Vineyard Management
Diseases
We will also take you into the winery and explain how to make red and white wines and their differences
2 Person Minimum
By Reservation Only
Wine and Cheese Tastings
$40 per person
3 Cheeses and 3 Wines
with Angela Higgs
Detailed Explanations on how to taste both wine and cheeses. And how you can find a "Match Made in Heaven"
2 Person Minimum
By Reservation Only
Private Tastings
$25 per person
A sampling of 4 different wines
with Robert Higgs
Detailed Explanations on how to taste wine professionally. We will also explain the Differences of aromas and characteristics of the
varietals included in your tasting.
2 Person Minimum
By Reservation Only
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Check Us out on Youtube
Contact
Address & Phone:
984 Barren Ridge Rd, Fishersville, VA 22939
(540) 248-3300
Special Vineyard Hours:
Barren Ridge is Open 7 days a week
Holiday Closures: Closed on Christmas Day, New Years Day, and Thanksgiving Day
Reservations appreciated on the weekends especially during music
Please reserve if you are 8 or more or if you want to be sure you have a table
We will be wearing masks and we ask you to kindly do the same for everyone's health.
Regular Hours:
Mon -Thurs: 12 Noon - 6 PM
Fri - Sat: 12 Noon - 8PM
(Live Music Saturday Music 2-5PM)
Sun: 1PM - 6PM
(Live Music Sunday Music 2-5PM)
Suggested Time Blocks
Monday - Thursday
12-2 | 2-4 | 4-6
Friday (Reservations Required)
12-3 | 3-6 | 6-8
Saturday (Reservations Required)
12-2 | 2-5| 5-8
Sunday (Reservations Required)
1-3 | 3-6
You can also buy our wines online. See our “Our Wines” page.
Directions:
We are located approximately 10 minutes from the intersection of I-81 and I-64.
From Charlottesville
I-64 West. Take exit 91. Turn right onto VA-285 N/Tinkling Spring Rd. Turn left onto Mule Academy Road. When it turns into Barren Ridge Road, the entrance will be on your left in about 2.5 miles.
From Staunton
Rt-250 East. Turn left on Barren Ridge Road about 2.5 miles. The entrance will be on your left.