A Strategic Step for Exports and Industry Growth

After a ten-year absence, Virginia wine is returning to the London Wine Fair, one of the world’s most influential trade events for the wine industry. This May, a group of Virginia wineries will present their wines to international buyers, media, and trade professionals in London—marking an important step in expanding the global footprint of the Commonwealth’s wine industry.

The milestone was recently highlighted by international trade publication The Drinks Business, which covered Virginia’s return to the fair and the wineries participating in the showcase. You can read the full article here.

For Virginia’s wine sector, participation in the fair is not just about pouring wines. It reflects a broader strategy to strengthen Virginia wine as a traded sector industry, one that brings new revenue into the state through exports and national distribution.

Virginia’s return to the London Wine Fair has been made possible through generous support from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office, and private sector partners, whose investment is helping introduce Virginia wines to influential global buyers and trade leaders.

Why International Trade Matters for Virginia Wine

Virginia is now home to more than 300 wineries and nearly 4,000 acres of vineyards, making it one of the fastest-growing wine regions in the United States. Yet despite this growth, the majority of Virginia wine is still sold locally through tasting rooms and direct-to-consumer channels.

International trade opportunities represent an important next phase of development.

When Virginia wines reach export markets, they:

• Bring new outside revenue into the state economy
• Expand market opportunities for Virginia wineries
• Strengthen the reputation of Virginia as a global wine region
• Support job creation across the wine supply chain—from vineyards to logistics and distribution

Trade events like the London Wine Fair help accelerate these outcomes by connecting producers directly with importers, distributors, and international wine buyers.

A Collaborative Virginia Showcase

Nine Virginia wineries will participate in the showcase, demonstrating the diversity of the Commonwealth’s wine industry:

• Commonwealth Crush
• Domaine Finot
• Early Mountain Vineyards
• King Family Vineyards
• Lightwell Survey Winery
• Paradise Springs Winery
• Rosemont of Virginia
• Southwest Mountains Vineyards
• The Williamsburg Winery

Together, they represent multiple regions and winemaking approaches—from traditional European-inspired styles to innovative small-production projects.

This collaborative presence reflects a key strength of Virginia wine: producers working together to elevate the region as a whole.

Cabernet Franc and Virginia’s Emerging Identity

As part of the program, Virginia will host a seminar titled:

“Cabernet Franc and Beyond: From Terroir to Identity in Virginia Wine.”

The seminar will explore how Virginia’s climate and soils shape wine styles and how the region is building a clearer identity in global markets. The masterclass will be hosted by Jimmy Smith of West London Wine School alongside Matthew Brown, Coordinator of the Virginia Wine Coalition, who will guide the discussion on Virginia’s evolving wine identity and the region’s growing presence in international markets.

Cabernet Franc in particular has emerged as a compelling calling card for Virginia wines. The grape thrives in Virginia’s growing conditions and produces wines that combine freshness, aromatic complexity, and structure—qualities that resonate strongly with today’s international wine trade.

Alongside Cabernet Franc, Virginia producers are also gaining recognition for varieties such as Petit Manseng, Meritage blends, and distinctive sparkling wines, demonstrating the breadth of the state’s wine portfolio.

Building Long-Term Market Access

For the Virginia Wine Coalition and industry partners, efforts like the London Wine Fair are part of a broader strategy to expand distribution opportunities beyond the Commonwealth.

While tourism and tasting rooms remain essential to winery success, long-term industry growth will also depend on:

• Expanding national and international distribution
• Increasing visibility for Virginia wines in retail and restaurant markets
• Strengthening the regional identity that buyers and consumers recognize

Trade engagement in markets like the UK—one of the world’s most influential wine hubs—helps lay the groundwork for these opportunities even in closer to home markets such as Washington D.C. and New York City.

A Milestone for the Industry

Virginia’s return to the London Wine Fair reflects the confidence and momentum of an industry that has matured significantly over the past decade.

Today’s Virginia wineries are producing wines that can compete on a global stage. And by engaging directly with international buyers and educators, they are helping ensure that Virginia wine becomes part of the broader global conversation about emerging wine regions.

For Virginia’s wine industry, London is not just a showcase…it is an investment in the future.