Virginia Sparkling Co. will invest $590,000 and create six new jobs to establish a new sparkling wine production facility in Nelson County, Va.
The company will source exclusively from Virginia and is committing to purchase 168 tons of Virginia grapes over the next three years. This facility will be an important new asset for Virginia’s craft beverage industry, providing partner wineries a new high-quality product for engaging their customers.
“Today’s announcement underscores Virginia’s already sparkling reputation as a premier destination for wine,” said Gov. Ralph Northam. “With more than 300 wineries and vineyards, the wine industry in Virginia generates nearly $1.37 billion for our economy each year, provides new markets for our farmers, and offers unique agritourism opportunities for our visitors. We thank Virginia Sparkling Company for their investment and look forward to toasting their success in the Commonwealth for years to come.”
The craft beverage industry has become an important driver of the Nelson County’s tourism-focused economy, which saw more than $211 million in visitor expenditures in 2018. This is both the first economic development announcement in Nelson County and the first Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) facility grant awarded to the county during the Northam administration.
“Sparkling wine represents a great opportunity here in Virginia,” said George Hodson, CEO of Virginia Sparkling Co. “There is significant demand from both producers and consumers of Virginia sparkling wine and we are excited to have the opportunity to increase the amount of high quality sparkling wine available in the Commonwealth.”
An affiliate of Veritas Vineyard & Winery, Virginia Sparkling will use “méthode traditionnelle” to produce Champagne-style wines for sale under the label of the Virginia wineries with whom they have collaborated. Virginia Sparkling will be located in a former textile mill along Nelson County’s popular Nelson 151 Craft Beverage Trail. The mill also houses the tasting room for Flying Fox Vineyard & Winery, another Veritas affiliate.