Food Processing - Food Handling

Pearmund’s planning for a Prince William County winery has been active for over a year. This project has received significant support from members of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors and Economic Development officials. Pearmund said he is very encouraged by the County’s welcoming enthusiasm for a destination vineyard and winery. According to Pearmund, “La Grange is an ideal site; it has a historic background and includes a circa 1790s manor house that will be renovated as part of the development.” Additionally, Chris said that “the land will support an organic agricultural vineyard for several wine grape varieties and the manor house provides a notable and distinguished destination that will differentiate the Winery at La Grange from other regional wineries.” The Winery at La Grange will have the closest ‘drive time’ from Washington, DC and will be a hallmark of responsible commerce and business growth for Prince William County.

“The Winery at La Grange will be developed and operated with respect for its heritage and with utmost care for the land and its environmental quality,” Pearmund said. He further remarked that the entire investment team is committed to building and operating a destination winery that is elegant, that reflects the character and period of the manor house, and that will be a good neighbor to surrounding land owners and land use. In addition to welcoming visitors to the tasting room in the manor house, the Winery at La Grange will support wine production and sales, passive outdoor recreation for patrons and will be designed to support special group visits and tours including private parties, winemaker’s dinners, weddings and corporate functions.

Site cleanup and manor house renovations will begin immediately. Vineyard planting is scheduled for spring 2006 and the Winery at La Grange is planned to open for retail sales in fall 2006. Over the next eight months a 5,000 case production winery building will be constructed that includes operational components and a “period décor” barrel room that will double as an event space. Wine is currently being produced for La Grange by nearby Pearmund Cellars and other regional wineries. Financing assistance is being provided by Marshall National Bank and Trust.

The Winery at La Grange is not Chris Pearmund’s first endeavor of this type. He founded and operates the successful and popular Pearmund Cellars Winery on the grounds of the Meriwether Vineyard in Broad Run, VA. Over the last 3 years, Pearmund has produced some of the finest wines made in Virginia; evidenced by numerous awards from regional and national wine competitions. Chris is the Chairman of the Virginia Food and Wine Society, a board member of the Virginia Wineries Association, a professional member of the American Wine Society (AWS), a Certified Wine Judge, a member of the Heritage Hunt Chapter and the John Marshall Chapters of the AWS, and a member of the Vinifera Wine Growers Association. He is an educator, a Virginia Wine History notable, and has and continues to consult to numerous wineries across Virginia and North Carolina.

Pearmund and his investor team are committed to the preservation of the historic La Grange site, the manor house and its character which are essential, while operating an environmentally sensitive and attractive business. Pearmund sees this as a win-win, commenting “The Winery at LaGrange will be a successful vineyard and winery that is good for the local area, good for Prince William County, and good for the Virginia Wine Industry. We look forward to fall 2006 when we open our doors to our neighbors, old and new friends and guests from across the Washington, DC area.”