Located at 3304 Ruritan Lake Road in Palmyra, southeast of Charlottesville, this new winery planted its first vines in 2013 and opened its doors in 2016. Friends Bruce and Debby Deal and Rick and Sara Hernandez purchased what was the cattle and hay Bragg Farm in 2011. They have 11 acres of Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Gris, Cab Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot vines (and a couple of acres of strawberries and pumpkins). The wine-making is supported by Mathieu Finot, the winemaker of heavily-awarded King Family Vineyards
Wine. One of the Top 100 wineries in Virginia. Cunningham’s 2019 vintage Rivanna Red was awarded a gold medal at the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Cup state-wide wine competition. Five of their wines received silver medals at the event: their 2019 Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2021 Chardonnay, Merlot, and Viognier. Five of their wines also received silver medals at the 2022 Governor’s Cup: their 2020 Chardonnay, 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Virginia Rosé, and 2017 Rivanna red. Their 2019 Chardonnay, and 2017 vintage Petit Verdot and Meritage also received silver medals at the 2022 Monticello Cup competition. The Cunningham 2017 vintage reds were a big success at the 2021 Virginia Governor’s Cup, when both the Meritage and Estate Petit Verdot were awarded gold medals, while the same vintage “Her Dog Red” also was awarded a gold medal, back at the 2020 Governor’s Cup event. With Mathieu Finot around, chances are high the wines will continue scoring well in the future. Very reasonably priced both whites and reds.
Setting. Seating inside with a fireplace, on the patio, and around a fire pit. Three small tasting bars rather than one long one. Crackers and cheese available, and the Farm Store Gift Shop sells chocolates, or you can bring your own food. Live music on weekends.
Stories. Making summertime childhood memories in Virginia — Camp Friendship. Sending young children off to camp remains a rite of Summer for parents across Virginia, especially from the cities and suburbs. Camp Friendship in Palmyra, down the road from Cunningham Winery, is one of Virginia’s longest-established summer camps. As the name implies, the camp aims to nurture lasting camaraderie among campers who can choose among swimming, fishing, hiking, archery, horseback-riding and other outdoor activities. Many of the younger campers return year after year, becoming counselors in their later years.