Cardinal Point Vineyard and Winery

Open: Year Round

Our History

old vine at Cardinal PointFamily owned and operated, Cardinal Point Vineyard and Winery lies in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge, in the shadow of Afton Mountain. Years ago, while stationed in the small city of Bad Kreuznach, Germany on the banks of the Nahe River, Paul and Ruth Gorman discovered a passion for the Riesling wines that were crafted with care in the little vineyards surrounding the town. It was then and there that they decided to add their own vineyard to their retirement plans.

In 1985, Paul retired from the army, and they moved to their farm in Afton, which they called Cardinal Point. Their first order of business was to install the first four acres two acres each of Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon on what is now Cardinal Point Vineyard. While eldest son John oversaw the renovation of the old farmhouse on the property, daughter Sarah and youngest son Tim tended the vines while home from school during the summers.

Tim took over as full-time Vineyard Manager in 1989, and has grown the Vineyard to 15 acres, supporting a variety of vinifera. In 2002, Paul and Ruth finally realized their dream of erecting a winery on the premises. Tim now adds winemaking to his farm duties, and the rest of the family share responsibilities in the enterprise. John, an architect, designed the winery buildings; Sarah handles business concerns; and Tim's wife, Susan, runs the tasting room.

The Gormans invite you to come and visit them in the tasting room, take a tour of the winery and see the vineyards that produce their delicious wines. While you sample the fruits of their labors, they'll tell you how Cardinal Point got its name, and the meaning of "These are my credentials" on the bottle.