Virginia Grown, Virginia Ground
Grapewood Farm sits in the historic Northern Neck just outside Montross, right along the Potomac River. Since 2000, the 500-acre property has grown to include farmland, mixed wood lots, fruit orchards, wildlife areas, wildflower meadows, streams, ponds and riverfront wetland.
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When we first walked the land, we were blown away by the abundance of mature grape vines growing naturally in the woods. This inspired the use of the name Grapewood.
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We believe in building a strong, sustainable local food system. Our "Virginia Grown, Virginia Ground" products start with healthy living soil - nurtured with regenerative techniques that rebuild life right at the ground level. Following certified USDA Organic standards, we grow, harvest, clean, and package everything right there on the farm.
Illustration by local artist, Hannah Good
Beyond Organic, Virginia's Finest
Each year our understanding of the soil food web improves as we test new practices and achieve new levels of insight through results. While we consider ourselves students of the traditional methods, we also pass modern inspection review by our partner organizations.
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In 2007 we began transitioning our first fields that were certified USDA organic (by PCO) in 2010. We then partnered with the Rodale Institute to develop regenerative 3 year organic crop rotation. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services included Grapewood Farm into their list of "Virginia's Finest".
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The relationships with bakers, millers, producers and artisans of the Common Grain Alliance has allowed Grapewood Farm to join a diverse local food network, Our reputation is built on the trust of those relationships and we are proud to hold ourselves to the highest standards
Faithful Stewards
As part of longer term commitment as stewards of this land we participate in various federal and state agricultural conservancy programs (CRP and EQIP). In addition to our crop land, our certified tree farm wood lots of loblolly pines and mixed hardwoods are sustainably managed for future generations.
We support native wildlife in the form of feed lots for white tail deer, wild turkey and quail population management, and habitat set-asides. As avid bird lovers we have installed wetland wood duck boxes, osprey nests and protected nesting sites for bald eagles.
To offset carbon and move towards greener energy independence, our central processing facility (The Mill) captures rain water in 3000 gal cistern for non potable usage, and is topped with 13kW solar array.​
