In 2015, Chris Pearmund and his partners purchased Effingham Manor, with the intention of marrying the history of Virginia, and the history of Virginia Winemaking. The task at hand was to keep the elegance of Effingham Manor as the property for the front while providing guests a day at a Virginia winery.
The first step was to clear the grounds. We replanted 30 new species of plants. The swimming pool was transformed into a Koi pond with over 50 fish, much bigger than a wine bottle. The Historic Slave House, most recently used as a guest home for previous owners of Effingham, was converted to a small gathering space, honoring those who lived inside the four walls many years ago.
Next, there was a building to build. The Winery building was built, using a state-of-the-art Geothermal HVAC system. The Barrel Room was crafted, with room for 110 barrels. Inside the winery building are three tasting bars, fireplaces, soft seating and room for multiple guests, with the ability to transform into a wedding venue for 150 people.
A sister winery to Pearmund Cellars and Vint Hill Craft Winery, we wanted the Effingham wine line up to be unique. Using varietals found in Virginia, such as Traminette, Viognier, Petit Verdot and Norton, Effingham Manor tells the story of Virginia’s wine history. Along the way, Effingham’s wines have picked up international awards, including our 2017 Tannat being named one of the top 10 wines in the country by Wine Enthusiast.
