DuCard Vineyard
Located in Etlan, Madison County, on the border of Shenandoah National Park. About two hours from Washington. Started by Scott and Karen Elliff as a private wine selling business in 2000, with the winery opened to the public in 2010.
Wine. Among the Top 50 wineries in Virginia. The 2021 TANA Chardonnay was awarded a gold medal at the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle nation-wide wine competition in 2023, while the 2019 vintage Chardonnay had been awarded a gold medal at the Chronicle competition in 2022. The DuCard 2019 Norton was awarded a gold medal at the 2022 Atlantic Seaboard Wineries Association competition, their 2019 Petit Verdot won a gold medal at the 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup state-wide wine tasting competition, and their 2017 Meritage won a gold medal at the 2021 Governor’s Cup competition. At the 2023 Governor’s Cup, DuCard came away with seven silver medals, including for the 2019 Cabernet Franc Reserve and Triskele (a Bordeaux-style red blend), 2021 Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. Their Viognier came away with a bronze medal, as it did at the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle competition. DuCard received six silver medals at the 2022 Governor’s Cup, including for their Triskele and Norton. Back in 2020 the winery was awarded two gold medals at the Governor’s Cup, for their 2017 Petit Verdot and their “C’est Trop”. The winery produces a wide range of both whites and reds, including a pair of Bordeaux-style blends. Grapes are all either estate of locally sourced.
Setting. Two stars. Scenic views of the National Park from both indoors and outdoors. Wine writer Michael Leahy calls DuCard “a small and welcome wine Shangri-La, near Old Rag Mountain.” Light snacks available. DuCard was also named the 2016 Virginia Green Winery of the year.
Stories. Virginia Mountains – Old Rag. DuCard is the closest winery to Old Rag. Old Rag Mountain is Shenandoah National Park’s most popular hike. This 3,284 foot mountain has an exposed summit – unlike most of the Blue Ridge peaks – which allows for wide-ranging panoramic views of the Blue Ridge and nearby valleys that are part of its popularity. Old Rag is also one of the more dangerous hikes in the Park, as attested to by the number of search and rescue missions that have been needed for hikers. Inexperienced hikers should be particularly careful. Old Rag is best experienced before, and not after, a wine tasting tour in the neighborhood.