Veritas

About

Owners: Andrew & Patricia Hodson
Winemaker: Emily Hodson
Vineyards: 60 acres of estate vineyards + 25 acres of long-term leased vineyards + purchased fruit from local growers
Vineyard management: Conventional
Soils: Varied, including mainly Ednytown loam and clays
Grapes grown: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Traminette, Petit Manseng, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Chambourcin, Malbec, Tannat
Annual production: 12,000-15,000 bottles

Quick facts:

• The name Veritas comes from the phrase “In Vino Veritas,” meaning “In wine, there is truth.” The Hodson family believes that the “truth” in their wines is the expression of the land and their vineyards.
• Emily Hodson has spent her whole career in the Virginia wine industry–one of only a few people who can say that–and she feels strongly about the tremendous potential of the state’s wines.

Veritas was founded in 1999 as the realization of Andrew and Patricia Hodson’s longtime dream. After careers in medicine, which brought the native Brits to the east coast of the US in the 1970s, they were ready to take the leap and purchased Saddleback Farm. At the time, it was a horse and cattle farm, but they saw its potential as a place to pursue their passion, wine. The estate is situated in the Monticello AVA, along the western edge of the southern aspect of the Blue Ridge mountains. They benefit from almost constant wind, as they’re just south of Rockfish Gap, which is the lowest point in the Blue Ridge for miles and acts as a funnel to draw cool mountain air across the vineyards. The breezes help protect against spring frosts as well as the worst of the summer humidity.

Andrew and Patricia produced their first vintage in 2001. Since then, the winery has become a thriving family affair, with all three of their children joining them in the business. Oldest daughter Emily worked alongside her father from the beginning of the Veritas project, and since getting her masters degree in oenology, has taken over as lead winemaker. Youngest daughter Chloe’s husband Elliott has also joined the winemaking team, with a focus on sparkling wines. In the cellar, they seek to find a balance between old-world traditions and state-of-the-art technology.