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Final Wine Down Wednesdays, Laid Back Fridays: While supplies last, Red and White Sangria, Blackberry Rouge, Hakuna Catawba, Black Dog Norton, Bright Hope Blanc
CHESTERFIELD – Wendy and Matt Houck, owners of Spring Run Vineyards, announced they will not renew their Virginia ABC license at the end of June. The couple who prides themselves on hand-crafting quality wines has mixed emotions. The family-owned and operated winery is located on their farm nestled next to Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield. For several factors, the Houcks have decided not to continue wine production.
“With deep gratitude, first we give thanks to God who gave us all of the motivation, talent and provisions to start and build this venture and to our family and close friends, without whom this would have not grown into what is has become,” the Houcks posted on Facebook. “Last but not least, thanks to all of you who have come out and supported us throughout these 10 years. Some of you have been here since we started with 20 cases of wine in our basement and stuck with us to where we are now! You all have helped to make SRV a great success and we sincerely appreciate it!”
Spring Run Vineyards not renewing Virginia ABC license: Here’s why…
Wendy Houck shared three main reasons why they made the decision to no longer produce wine to sell. One reason, not a small part in their decision-making process, is based on changes to farm winery laws. According to Wendy Houck, farm wineries are required to produce 250 cases of wine before they are allowed to purchase grapes from another Virginia winery.
“We’re very small and only produce 250 – 300 total after purchasing the current allowance of up to 49% of grapes from other Virginia vineyards. Thus, this would cause us to have to expand. That’s not a direction we want to go,” Houck said. “It’s a shame because not only does this new law affect businesses like ours but vineyards who rely on selling their grapes to businesses like ours. In my understanding, a lot of fruit was forced to go to waste this year for lack of buyers.”
According to Houck, they are stuck between Virginia ABC’s Farm Winery: Class I and II current classifications, requirements and fees, and they do want to have to be forced to grow more grapes, purchase more equipment and hire more people.
In addition to building Spring Run Vineyards all these years, Wendy Houck has maintained a full-time job. “I’m getting a little tired,” Houck shared. “One might ask, why not let go of the day job and go full steam with the winery. However, I love my job with benefits, so the choice is clear.”
“The third reason we decided to switch gears is because our kids don’t have any interest in taking the reigns. They both have inherited the entrepreneurial gene,” Houck said. Justin, 22, a Patrick Henry Community College grad, is focusing on his business Houck’s Hot Rods and Alexandra, 19, has her own little jewelry-making side hustle Houck’s Handmades while she attends Bright Point Community College.
Spring Run Vineyards: Final Wine Down Wednesdays, Laid Back Fridays
Listen up fans. Here is a list of what is left in the cellar: Red and White Sangria, Blackberry Rouge, Hakuna Catawba, Black Dog Norton and Bright Hope Blanc. Get ready for the final six “Wine Down Wednesday” events with live music and a food truck which begin May 1 and go through the first week of June. During those same weeks, visit the winery during “Laid Back Fridays” where munchies from home may be consumed while chilling on the patio. Play a board game or two while you relax, sip and have fun.
The Houck family is exploring ideas for transitioning to more farm like activities such as pick-your-own produce and/or a farmers market. They plan to still host crafting, painting and private events. “Other ideas include leasing our barn to another winery or brewery that might be interested… thinking something like a ‘2.0 or satellite’ for an established winery that’s not too close but not too far away,” Matt Houck said. “We have a pretty cool spot, as our regulars know.”
Celebrate Spring Run Vineyards’s tenth year and final season at 10700 Spring Run Road in Chesterfield. Details for upcoming events will be posted on Facebook and at springrunvineyards.com.
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Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on X and @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.
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