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| Our Story... |
Dave retired from the Marine Corps after 20 years of service. Several years before opening the
winery, he began making wine as a hobby. As he became more of an enthusiast, he began making his
own labels for his homemade wine and giving it as gifts to friends. He soon realized his passion was
worth making into a business, and he bought 100 acres of farmland near Huddleston in 2000. The
family began with 2 primary varietals: Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon.
Soon after beginning the vineyard, Dave expanded his property by 17 acres, where he built the
winery. The first crush was in 2004, when Savoy-Lee became a licensed winery, and by 2005
Savoy-Lee released its first wines! At the time of grand opening, Savoy-Lee had 3 wines available:
2004 Chardonnay, 2004 Echo Forest Red, and 2004 Cabernet Franc.
Since this time, Savoy-Lee has produced several wines and wine styles, including: Seyval Blanc,
Chardonnay, Reisling/Vidal, Viognier, Johnson Mountain Red, Johnson Mountain White, White
Merlot, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Echo Forest Red.
In 2006, Savoy-Lee joined 4 other Bedford County wineries to form the Bedford Wine Trail.
In the 7 years Savoy-Lee has been open, it has produced numerous award-winning wines.
Recently, Savoy-Lee has changed its business model to focus our energy on wine making and not on
the grape growing. We will lease vineyard land, which allows our farmers to put all their love and
attention into the grape growing season. This is great news for the winery and its customers. Without
the stresses of managing vines, which are very finicky plants, we can instead focus on producing
high-quality, delicious wines. And by purchasing grapes instead of growing them, we can be
infinitely more selective on the quality and variety of our grapes. Savoy-Lee always buys 100%
Virginia grown grapes. We strongly support local businesses, agriculture, and community. We are
proud to be a Virginia winery, and we are dedicated to keep our wine 100% Virginian. As the saying
goes, "Make mine Virginian wine!"
winery, he began making wine as a hobby. As he became more of an enthusiast, he began making his
own labels for his homemade wine and giving it as gifts to friends. He soon realized his passion was
worth making into a business, and he bought 100 acres of farmland near Huddleston in 2000. The
family began with 2 primary varietals: Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon.
Soon after beginning the vineyard, Dave expanded his property by 17 acres, where he built the
winery. The first crush was in 2004, when Savoy-Lee became a licensed winery, and by 2005
Savoy-Lee released its first wines! At the time of grand opening, Savoy-Lee had 3 wines available:
2004 Chardonnay, 2004 Echo Forest Red, and 2004 Cabernet Franc.
Since this time, Savoy-Lee has produced several wines and wine styles, including: Seyval Blanc,
Chardonnay, Reisling/Vidal, Viognier, Johnson Mountain Red, Johnson Mountain White, White
Merlot, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Echo Forest Red.
In 2006, Savoy-Lee joined 4 other Bedford County wineries to form the Bedford Wine Trail.
In the 7 years Savoy-Lee has been open, it has produced numerous award-winning wines.
Recently, Savoy-Lee has changed its business model to focus our energy on wine making and not on
the grape growing. We will lease vineyard land, which allows our farmers to put all their love and
attention into the grape growing season. This is great news for the winery and its customers. Without
the stresses of managing vines, which are very finicky plants, we can instead focus on producing
high-quality, delicious wines. And by purchasing grapes instead of growing them, we can be
infinitely more selective on the quality and variety of our grapes. Savoy-Lee always buys 100%
Virginia grown grapes. We strongly support local businesses, agriculture, and community. We are
proud to be a Virginia winery, and we are dedicated to keep our wine 100% Virginian. As the saying
goes, "Make mine Virginian wine!"
| The Road to Savoy-Lee |
Chardonnay
Cabernet
| Wine Tasting Room in Spring |
| Our 1st Wine Label |
| Meet the Family... |
Dave Wood, Owner
In 2000, Dave moved to Huddleston and began Savoy-Lee winery.
During his time at graduate school in Monterey, California, Dave visited
many wineries and vineyards, where his passion developed. When he
retired from the Marine Corps at Quantico, VA, he learned this state was
an excellent venue for his wine passion. He turned this dream of owning
a winery into his retirement plan. His dedication to growing good
grapes and learning the details of wine-making have given him a true
depth of knowledge in this arena. With more time than ever to focus
specifically on wine making, you can be sure your senses will be
delighted with our quality of wine.
In 2000, Dave moved to Huddleston and began Savoy-Lee winery.
During his time at graduate school in Monterey, California, Dave visited
many wineries and vineyards, where his passion developed. When he
retired from the Marine Corps at Quantico, VA, he learned this state was
an excellent venue for his wine passion. He turned this dream of owning
a winery into his retirement plan. His dedication to growing good
grapes and learning the details of wine-making have given him a true
depth of knowledge in this arena. With more time than ever to focus
specifically on wine making, you can be sure your senses will be
delighted with our quality of wine.
Austin Wood, Son
Austin began helping on the family farm when he was just 9 years
old. Harvesting grapes, crushing for wine, and slicing fruit for
Sangria, this guy is very well versed in the work it takes to run a small
business. A diligent worker in both family and professional life, he
plans to study Business at Virginia Tech next fall. His help is crucial to
the success of our festivals, events, and moral support.
Austin began helping on the family farm when he was just 9 years
old. Harvesting grapes, crushing for wine, and slicing fruit for
Sangria, this guy is very well versed in the work it takes to run a small
business. A diligent worker in both family and professional life, he
plans to study Business at Virginia Tech next fall. His help is crucial to
the success of our festivals, events, and moral support.
Valerie Van Dyke, General Manager
Recently adopted into the Savoy-Lee family, Valerie is new to
wineries but not new to Agriculture. A graduate from the college
of Agriculture & Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, Valerie is starting
to show some true talent in the inner workings of running a small
agricultural business through event planning, advertising, and
promotion. With some international tours of South African's
finest wineries fresh in her memory, she has some exciting new
ideas to bring to our winery, and we are glad to have her with us.
Recently adopted into the Savoy-Lee family, Valerie is new to
wineries but not new to Agriculture. A graduate from the college
of Agriculture & Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, Valerie is starting
to show some true talent in the inner workings of running a small
agricultural business through event planning, advertising, and
promotion. With some international tours of South African's
finest wineries fresh in her memory, she has some exciting new
ideas to bring to our winery, and we are glad to have her with us.
We are very thankful to our many volunteers that help us keep this place going. Whether it be
making Sangria, pouring wine at festivals, or loaning us a good truck and trailer, we are happy to
have them be a part of our passion.
We are confident that you will be proud to support your veteran-owned, family-run, Virginian Farm
Winery. Please come by and get to know the Family and the Wines. We'll be so glad to meet you.
making Sangria, pouring wine at festivals, or loaning us a good truck and trailer, we are happy to
have them be a part of our passion.
We are confident that you will be proud to support your veteran-owned, family-run, Virginian Farm
Winery. Please come by and get to know the Family and the Wines. We'll be so glad to meet you.
