Gray Ghost Vineyards and Winery
Located in Amissville, off of Route 211 in Rappahannock County (across the road from Narmada Winery), 15 minutes west of Warrenton. One of the older wineries in the area (opening in 1994), Gray Ghost Winery bears the nickname of one of the most famous Confederate officers, John Mosby (see below). Owners Al and Cheryl Kellert chose the name due to Al’s family link to Mosby, and to enhance the “history buff” atmosphere of Gray Ghost. Al also brings a chemistry background which is put to use on the winery.
Wine. Among the Top 100 wineries in the state, and among the Top 30 wineries of Northern Virginia. They are among the most successful makers of Cabernet Sauvignon in the state. Their 2022 Chardonnay was awarded a gold medal at the prestigious 2025 San Francisco Chronicle nation-wide wine tasting competition, and their 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded a gold medal at the 2024 event. Gray Ghost’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon was named “best Cabernet Sauvignon” at the 2024 Atlantic Seaboard wine competition, and their 2023 Adieu sweet wine was awarded a gold medal at the 2024 Finger Lakes Wine competition. Gray Ghost’s 2019 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded a gold medal at the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle competition. Their 2021 Late Harvest Vidal Blanc and Gewurztraminer received silver medals at the 2022 Finger Lakes Wine Competition; the 2021 Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer, 2020 Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2021 Adieu dessert wine all were awarded silver medals at the 2022 Atlantic Seaboard Wineries Association competition.
Setting. The winery is relatively small, but filled with Civil War memorabilia. The views outside are nice but simple. The setting becomes unique at the Christmas holidays, featuring sculptures made from Gray Ghost wine corks.
Stories. One star. Civil War – Mosby’s Rangers. Colonel John S. Mosby commanded a small Confederate cavalry unit of initially some 400 troops, eventually to grow to close to 2,000 men. He was by far the most proficient practitioner of “guerilla warfare” in Virginia during the Civil War – scouting, raiding and creating chaos in the front lines of the Union Army. “Mosby’s Rangers” were so effective that he is often credited with extending the life of the Confederacy by over six months. Much of US Highway 50 in Virginia goes by the name “John Mosby Highway,” as you will no doubt see on many signs in your travels through Virginia wine country. Mosby’s nickname was given by the Union Army, from his ability to infiltrate enemy lines undetected and capture prisoners and provisions. Interestingly, before the war Mosby was among those speaking out against secession. After the war he served in the Grant administration, notwithstanding their fierce enmity during the years of fighting, and became US Consul to Hong Kong.