We came here for a bachelorette party (to start off with). Jessica and another gentleman were working who were wonderful. They told us just to yell when we were ready for our next round (they didn't want to interrupt our conversation). The place is petite, but adorable. Has lots of character and the outside is just precious. Jessica answered any and all questions we had, was so knowledged with the wine and even directed us to nearby wineries. Had a great time. read more

Not fancy, but decent wines and very quiet. Proprietor was very friendly, but in trying to hold down the fort himself created a sub-par experience. Got our charcuterie platter after our tasting was mostly over, so could not pair anything. The playground items are rusted and dangerous. read more

A hidden gem just 30 minutes out from Richmond! My friend and I found a Groupon for this place and came as a spontaneous trip on Thursday evening and we were very pleasantly surprised. Don't let the small appearance deter or fool you. We arrived a little after 4pm wout a reservation (which they prefer), but we're happily greeted and taken care of by the owners. The groupon was $20 for 2 for a wine tasting, cheese platter, and a tour of the place, and my friend and I agreed that it was so worth the price. The Wine Tasting - We got detailed descriptions of the wines we were tasting. They had a great variety but my favorites were the Leechee wine, the sangria, and the port wine omg The Cheese Platter - I think a total of 5 cheeses (the ones I remember are smoked Gouda, smoked cheddar, goat cheese topped with lignin berries, and a bourbon soaked one), olives, and good quality crackers. Delicious. The Tour - The owner was very descriptive and walked us through the wine bottling process, from the pumping of the wine, to the seal - and I got to try it all! We left soo relaxed and extremely content. In addition to the Groupon package, we were offered to walk on a nature trail on their property and were told to check out their horses. unfortunately we weren't able to do those because we ended up forgetting about it before we left, but I wish we did. I know for a fact we stayed after hours, but there was not a single mention about it, or even a hint to skiddadle. The owner even joked with us and told us dinner was at 730 lol Sweet people, great wine, excellent service, and beautiful scenery and atmospheres. Not to mention they had the cutest and sweetest dogs on their property! read more

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I'm of two minds about the place, honestly. It is not the stunning spot that some other wineries in Virginia can claim, it's a bit cluttered, a little unfinished, and the wines are decent, but they're nothing to write home about, not yet. They're progressing, though, and the wine does appeal to a lot of my family and friends [it's handily available closer to home if i don't feel like going all the way to the vineyard]. I've also found the staff to be very pleasant, chatty and kind. I'll likely go back at some point, but I am not in a desperate rush to do so, as there is a lot of other wine to taste in the interim. They merry-go-round was a marvelous bit of nostalgia, though. read more

Love this place! Good wine, including South African wine option from owner. Owner is always here and a great host! Farm winery, quiet and comfortable! If you want fancy... go someplace else read more

My husband took me on a day trip. We have a toddler and this winery was listed as child friendly. When we walked in, the vibe was just strange. The lady behind the counter didn't ask if we wanted a tasting so I just told her what I liked and she gave me a sample of two wines. I chose one and then we ordered a small salami and cheese plate so we could sit outside. Husband offered to get me another glass but I opted to skip it and we left to head back to Richmond. I'm so glad this place has good reviews because I'm sure it appeals to some. It just wasn't for us. read more

This is a really nice winery and they have great events here, like the upcoming South African wine festival, but I'm not a huge fan of the wines. I'm a red drinker, and while the South African whites have been making an impact on the market, the reds are not as good. So it's more a matter of personal taste for me. Grayhaven participates in lots of regional festivals, like the James River Cellars get-together, but if you like visiting wineries, this is a good place to check out as it's a fun tasting experience and a nice property. read more

This was our last stop on a wine Excursion with 15 ladies for my birthday. The owner Deon greeted us, their wasn't a long wait like some vineyards even when you make reservations. I did read the other reviews and they were right about this winery being a hidden gem! I have had a few bottles prior to my visit at the vineyard and have yet to try one that I didn't like. We arrived and I swear this place reminded me of an episode of 'Cheers' Home away from Home and serving wine. Some vineyards you feel you need to dress up and sometimes you just to throw on jeans, a cute top, and flip flops or a cute summer dress and enjoy delicious wine with a view, great company and Cheese galore without being judged :) Wine Tasting ($5 tasting) and Cheese Platter go hand in hand you definitely want to partake in both! They offer a small or large platter. We went on one of the hottest days possible and still had a great time to wrap up our trip! Definitely recommend Gray Haven if you are looking for a variety of wines you wont find in stores or grapes at other vineyards. I did have a mishap with charges before I left but was offered a complimentary bottle of wine and later had the charges refunded. I couldn't ask for better service. Thank you for taking care of my girls and myself. We will be returning! read more

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On a whim, we decided to take a detour on the way to Lake Anna and were treated to a wonderful afternoon at Grayhaven. Definitely not your typical winery and you will be thankful for that if you choose to visit. The hosts were very attentive, greeting us immediately upon arrival. I can honestly say I have never enjoyed every wine in a tasting but I did at Grayhaven. A very unique blend of their own creations as well as an interesting array from South Africa. Jennifer and Deon were engaging and knowledgeable. The cheese tray and chutney were delicious and a perfect pairing for the wines. Before we knew it, two hours had passed and we had more than a tasting... we had an experience. And in Deon's words "it's how it should be". Thank you all at Grayhaven for making memories with us. We WILL be back!!! read more

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Ok, so we were really very "ify" about this place after reading other reviews......but.....we really liked it! Their wines are much better than "decent" as some reviews said. I really liked the atmosphere and the quaintness of it. We did the tasting and then enjoyed a bottle outside by the koi pond. Maybe it is not the hipster place to be, but we really enjoyed our time and the wine! Enjoyed the owner and cheese plate. The sauces were fabulous! read more

Grayhaven Winery - Peaceful and relaxing! - Wineries Near Me - Gum Spring, Virginia

Nice wine and nice people. Stopped in on a Monday late morning and had our own impromptu private tasting with Deon, the owner. Learned a lot and enjoyed the wines. read more

Off the grid. Unique. Unpretentious. Family owned and operated. Unique. Quirky. Horses! Koi! Dogs! Eccentric. Fun. Crazy kinda different. Kitschsy. Welcoming. Cluttered. Eclectic. LOTS of Events. Great Music. This is not the winery for everyone. Reasons to visit Grayhaven: 1) To meet the vintner, Deon, who is passionate about his wine 2) To experience a South African vibe 3) To escape the pretentious wineries of Charlottesville 4) To experience something totally different I realize this is not for everyone. If you appreciate someone who loves and lives for wine then head on over to meet Deon and experience his winery! read more

Deon knows his wine. It is a joy when you get Deon to do the tasting because he explains the process and his love for his wines. Overall, I didn't walk away with any that was over the top good, but you got to realize that the varietals that grow in this regions is not the same that they have in California or Italy. He is just working with the climate and soil that is given to him. I loved the Port wine the best. You kinda have to drive through the "trailer park" to get there, but this is a decent but not over the top landscaped place with their house on the grounds as they live there. read more

Fantastic 60 acre farm and winery with free-ish range horses, multiple dogs, and koi. Owners mix South African and local wine making styles for some mellow reds and port-style bliss. read more

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I have been to many Virginia wineries, but not many have provided a tasting experience quite like what we got here! The wine maker is originally from Capetown, South Africa, which has definitely influenced the grape varietals that they grow on their property. His wife did our tasting, which was wonderfully educational and so fun. Their passion and knowledge of the Virginia wine industry is so very evident. The wines were all phenomenal;mostly dry, some were very unique and new to me, but almost all of the grapes are grown in their own vineyards--classifying them as a Farm Winery:class A. I absolutely love that they're philosophy of wine making focuses on what they do in the fields! I would highly suggest stopping in for a tasting here on your way to Charlottesville or Richmond, whichever way you are traveling. read more

Stumbled upon this winery on a Sunday afternoon heading back from a wine weekend in the mountains of Virginia. Very eclectic decor and vibe but amazing wine and friendly people. They know their wine and had a many good ones from which to choose. We were surprised with this find and looking forward to returning. Dog-friendly location with knowledgeable staff and ownership. This is definitely worth the stop!!! read more

We happened upon this winery today by accident and I'm so glad we did! Both of the owners were super friendly and knowledgeable about wine. Speaking of wine, their wines were all fantastic but the sangrias were our favorite. We will definitely be back! read more

The reviewer from Richmond is full of shit. This place is unique, the owners are vibrant, refreshing, and entertaining and besides the good wines, there is a lot of history and modern entertainment going on at this vineyard. It is an absolute GEM. People who think visiting wineries is all about sticking your nose in the air should stick their nose somewhere else. The people at Cooper and Keswick would never condone such rude and ungracious behavior. Their customer service is excellent too, which bad reviewer should know but some people...you know... They built the tasting room to look like one of the Hobbit homes in "Lord of the Rings" and "Attack of the Vegan Zombies" was shot here as well. They have a lovely South African festival in September of this year as well as historical, special-effect, ghost stories in the fall. It's a must see/must taste. Trust me. read more

I've been to nearly 100 Virginia wineries but I have yet to experience a place like Grayhaven Winery. A recent review in The Old Town Crier compared the tasting room to something out of a Tolkien book, and that's a good description. The owner is from South Africa and knows a thing or two about making fine, and unusual, wine. The size of the winery is deceiving--they make a lot of wine here. This is the only winery in Virginia I've been to that makes a Touriga - a bold red meat wine. Actually there isn't a bad wine on the list. I found it hard to pick my usual "budgetary" allowance of two bottles to go. They made a movie here---you won't see it in your local multiplex anytime soon..."Attack of The Vegan Zombies." Apparently it is unrated but the staff said it is "NC-17 for sure." read more

While we knew going in that it was going to be small, we did not expect it to be so rundown and dinky. The guy doing our wine tasting literally just read to us off the wine label and poured half the wine on the table each time; you would think someone working at winery would have SOME knowledge of wine and at least be able to pour it! Wines were decent, but not spectacular. We brought our own picnic and they happily let us set up in the table inside. There were VERY kind throughout out visit. read more

Just left the blues festival. Pros... dog friendly and kid friendly. One staff in the winery main building was nice. Cons...waited outside by the tasting tent for 20 minutes. The two working did not once acknowledge us... with a be with you in a minute...or who is next. We were not in a line we were right up to the table and unacknowledged. Seemed the workers served people they knew first versus who had been standing there the longest. Cant comment on the wine. Was never afforded the opportunity to try it. Wont be back. read more

This event takes place over one weekend each July at Grayhaven Winery. The owners of this winery are from South Africa, and a few years ago they decided to start hosting this event to celebrate their heritage. Along with their own wines, they seek out South African boutique wines for tasting and buying at the festival. There's also a menu of South African food that's made with mostly local, farm-raised and grass fed meat, along with fruits and vegetables from local farms. There also usually a few other vendors and crafters on site. Your $15 ticket gets you free wine tasting. Food, glasses of wine or bottles of wine are extra. There are also usually some special sangrias you can purchase by the glass. It's a fun day of wine and good food, but since it's in July, it's definitely hot! Pretty much the entire event is outside at the winery, so be prepared to sweat. read more

I visited this place with my wife and friends for a wine tour. The wine samples were delicious and the cheese tray was phenomenal (also a very good serving). We really had a great experience. The staff was amazing and they provided excellent customer service. We purchased several bottles of wine; it was hard to decide due to the many good wines they have available. Highly recommend visiting Grayhaven Winery. You'll have a very relaxing and enjoyable experience. read more

Stopped here as part of a wine tour. They had a great mulled wine and a port that was mixed with cognac. The employees are very friendly and informative. The building seems old and in need of a lot of repairs. read more

Stopped here on the way into Charlottesville. It is a lovely spot to spend some time sampling wine. The cheese and mezze board was beautifully presented and delicious. The owners were so friendly and welcoming. Will certainly visit again if I'm ever in the area again. read more

Such an amazing experience!!! Great owners and the wine was FABULOUS!!! They made my birthday one to remember! Definitely has to be a stop If you're heading through the area!!!!! 10/10 would recommend!!! read more

What a great find! I will admit, when we pulled up we thought we were in someone's driveway by mistake but then we saw Tiger, a beautiful and majestic white horse roaming around free across the yard and we figured we'd at least get out and explore. The winery is very quaint but extremely charming and the staff were so nice. Their farm dogs roam around and it makes you feel like you were invited to a family party. The patio is beautiful and they have a little water feature with huge koi fish. The small cheese platter was very large and very inexpensive! The tasting included 6 wines and 2 Sangrias. Not being a wine connoisseur by any means, I was hesitant to try a wine tasting because everyone assumes you know what you're talking about when you walk into a winery, but I felt comfortable here and enjoyed the explanations of all the wines we tried. I will definitely be returning, it's an easy half hour outside of RVA. read more

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Owners are great! Good wines and sangria. A little out of the way and no cell reception, the staff is nice. read more

Grayhaven Winery - Vineyard - Wineries Near Me - Gum Spring, Virginia

Very friendly winery with Virginia and South African wines. Nice people working there. A small playground for kids, and horses to visit. Festivals here are fun with music and plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy the beautiful grounds. The Pinotage is my favorite wine there so far. read more

Sure it's not as gorgeous as other places but their wine is great & isn't that what really matters?!! This is a great farm winery. Must see & buy the Cab Franc. read more

Grayhaven Winery - Greyhaven - Wineries Near Me - Gum Spring, Virginia

I bought a Groupon for 4 that included wine tasting, cellar tour, and cheese platter. We redeemed it today. It was my husband and another couple that are close friends. Deon (the owner) greeted us outside. We had been enjoying the grounds because we arrived a bit early. He invited us in to begin early if we wanted. We went inside and Deon sat with us to begin. He explained each wine, a bit about the grapes, the soil, the reason for the taste, etc. Once that was complete, Deon's wife started our cellar tour. She explained so much about Virginia wine, and how it was made. Her passion for their wine & the process was obvious. We learned a lot. Then we went back inside for the cheese platter, and to enjoy our favorite from the tasting. They have cute dogs, and a friendly cat. I admit to giving the pups a bit of cheese, which they enjoyed. We all purchased a couple bottles of our favorites. The grounds are beautiful, the owners are warm & friendly, and the wines are delicious. We will go back. It was a very enjoyable afternoon with friends. read more

I'm honestly not sure if the previous reviewers went to the same Greyhaven I did.. Let's start here - The people who own the place are hoarders. Like, could be on the discovery channel hoarders. The winery was dirty, filled will old papers, items, bottles - everything. We went a few months ago, and the most recent thing we even say there was from 2006. The tasting room had some interesting items from South Africa, but otherwise it was freezing and covered in dust and dirt. (We were the only people there, too. Also a red flag at a winery.)The woman pouring the wine spent the majority of the time asking her boss when she'd get paid 'cause she needed to buy some clothes for her niece or something.. If we wanted to know anything about the wine, we had to ask. I love Virginia wineries, and I guess I have been to about 15 or more. I've never been to one I didn't like - until here. Virginia wine is great, so we wanted to buy a bottle, even though we were majorly weirded out by the place. We bought a bottle of Moonlight White, and when they brought it to us, it was very cloudy. They assured the wine simply had "bottle shock" and would clear up in a few weeks. Two months later, it did clear up, so I opened the bottle, and the cork sank into the wine and the awful smell if vinegar overpowered me -- I waited 2 months to open my cloudy wine, when all along I was waiting for glorified vinegar/spoiled wine. However, I should have expected this ending. Seriously. All in all, they are so many amazing wineries in Virginia, I recommend skipping this place and enjoying something amazing from Keswick or Cooper, neither too far from here. Or go and see for yourself. It's..Awkward, to say the least. read more

The approach was encouraging; being greeted by a 1960s playground was just plain fun. But the tasting room was tiny and full of flies, the owners uninterested and the wines uninteresting. We bought a very light white and had to practically fight for 1 of 3 tables. Quite possibly an overrated winery. read more

Sorry but this wine is probably the worst I've had in VA. I have tried it several times just to make sure I was correct. Not sure what the problem is but I've had many South Africa wines and they taste so much better that's gray haven. I recommend just walk away when u see them at festivals read more

After a fun and full weekend getaway to Charlottesville, we decided to take the back roads as our return route home to Richmond. I read a little about Grayhaven while searching vineyards and creating our itinerary for our weekend, but did not really think that we would be up for visiting another vineyard on our way home on a Sunday (as we had visited Barboursville, Horton and Keswick the previous day). My husband and I typically prefer a more intimate tasting environment and feel that small vineyards, such as Grayhaven, suit our style much better. When we arrived at this vineyard, we were immediately in love. Beautiful yard and quaint tasting house with lush greenery, koi fish pond, patio tables and very child friendly. The tasting experience was completely unexpected. Not only did the lovely, bubbly woman conducting the tasting actually take time to really teach us about the wines, the process and fields and much much more, but the wines themselves were as good if not better than the vineyards visited the day before. (Not to mention the spectacular homemade sangria that we bought a full glass to sip on while we strolled around the property). I am a red wine person, and as we all should know by now, Virginia is not a state known for its Red Wine. From my previous day of vineyard visits, I cannot say that I enjoyed any tasting of red wine, and instead, resorted to purchasing sparkling whites or sweet dessert wine. At Grayhaven however, I actually bought my first and only bottle of red from that weekend getaway. read more

I would take a camel, fly & drive all the way there from Bumfunk, Egypt, just for their PORT WINE, Yes, it is that good!!!!!!!!!!! I give 5 stars for the wine and the people who run it. 4 Stars just because there is not enough mountain view as I would like. This place is a hidden treasure if you like GOOD wine, especially the PORT. Diane Alexander Williamsburg, Va. read more

Very cute winery in VA wine country. It is small, but that's something to appreciate. I was impressed with the quality of the wine I tasted; I actually enjoyed all 4 or 5, which is unusual for me. read more

Excellent winery. Very scenic place where you can enjoy wines from South Africa as well as wines bottled in Virginia. The owners are very friendly. Plenty of full bodied wines from South Africa and Virginia. read more

First came to Grayhaven for just a tasting but returned shortly after for their International Cheese Pairing; loved both and have been back several times since. South African style wines are unique to the area and on the drier side, no fruit wines. Their gift shop boasts a lot of other South African products including juices and sauces, everything we've had so far we have loved. read more

Loved this winery a lot. I was lucky enough to come here the weekend after their South African Wine Fest so got to taste a lot of wines, plus a very good sangria. Fell in love with the winery itself. Smaller than a lot I have been to but well kept up and the grounds themselves were fantastic. It was so peaceful to just sit outside among the pretty flowers and koi pond. Plus there were horses and two dogs - one a super friendly french bulldog. The hospitality was excellent. Will definitely be back read more