Visit Veritas Vineyard
Escape to wine country at the two-decade-old Virginia vineyard this spring and summer
Tucked away in the mountains of Afton, Virginia, Veritas Vineyard is a must-stop destination for vino drinkers looking to embark on wine adventures throughout the state. Just 20 minutes west of Charlottesville, Veritas is an easy trek for oenophiles traveling from Richmond or Northern Virginia. Helmed by husband-and-wife team Andrew and Patricia Hodson, Veritas reached a 25-year milestone in 2024. The duo originally met in Nottingham, England, and eventually were called to the foothills of Virginia.
In more recent years, the pair have worked to grow the events aspect of their business, and in turn, leaned into a flourishing food and beverage program. Events include Sounds of Spring: Evening Serenade at the Farmhouse, a four-course dinner in the gardens with live musicians on April 12, and a Supper Series dinner featuring a a guest chef on April 19.
Working behind the scenes at Veritas Vineyards is tenured Executive Chef Andy Shipman, a Virginia native raised in the Shenandoah Valley who first started with the company in 2010. The chef took a short break from the winery to finish his degree from the University of Mary Washington before making a return in 2013. While attending college and hitting the books, he also worked at Foode, a restaurant in downtown Fredericksburg operated by the former “Top Chef" contestant Joy Crump.
After reuniting with Veritas, Shipman started to work at the Farmhouse (the Bed and Breakfast on site) and took over as their head chef in 2014. While in that role, he mastered the art of wine pairing, tasked with creating an ever-evolving four-course menu with wines from the vineyard.
Seven years later, he levels up and moved into the executive chef position. With an affinity with local, Shipman, says that dinners are a celebration of Virginia purveyors. “We try to keep the food fresh and light, using seasonal and local ingredients whenever possible,” says Shipman, whose favorite wine is Scintilla, a brut sparkling wine made in the traditional Champagne method. “We change the menu two to three times a year to reflect the season we are in.”
A key relationship that assists Veritas and Shipman succeed in their dedication to local is Cavalier Produce. “I have been working with Cavalier since 2019,” says Shimpan. “We order most of our produce from them and take advantage of their local offerings throughout the year. Spencer and his team provide great customer service and it would be hard to find another company that would deliver their attention to detail.”
