Visited the grayhaven winery for the first time today, and certainly not the last! Deon was the perfect host and guide through an 8 glass tasting. The highlight for us was the white sangria with white wine and lychee juice. We traversed whites, reds and rosés - to ultimately end with a beautifully fresh sparkling rosé brut. We enjoyed this in the sunny courtyard accompanied by a 5 cheese charcuterie board- all enjoyed alongside the company of puppies zeke and pazuzu who only served to create a more relaxed and enjoyable vibe. We were lucky enough to enjoy the wonderful hosts and their home prepared charcuterie - wines made and thoughtfully curated by the owners whose flavours shone through. We will certainly be back, we only hope to get a table through the busier seasons! Thank you for your generous and warm hospitality. read more

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If you want a super chill and very personable wine tasting experience this is the place for you. It's small and beautiful. Lots of outdoor seating to enjoy the beautiful weather. The wines consist of their own vintages plus a selection of South African wines. You may also notice a couple of horses and some very friendly puppies roaming around. Highly recommend you try the sangria. We polished off a couple bottles sitting outside enjoying the beautiful weather. read more

Found this little spot tucked away off the beaten path while driving to look at some fall foliage. Lovely wine, friendly owners, and beautiful scenery. We loved their sweet puppy too. read more

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South African wines with depth! Reds in VA can be extremely basic, but this VA grown SA grape is delicious! We went on a Sat about an hour or so before closing and had no lines, excellent service and delicious wines with a detailed charcuterie board. The grounds are less impressive than some VA wineries, but the service and accent (if you meet the owner) add to the whole experience. This is one of my new favorites. Close to Richmond, great depth of flavor wines, and fabulous service. Infact, we sat at a table and each tasting was brought to us. (They are redoing the tasting room.) While the bathroom reviews are not wrong, (a bit sketch now).... New ones are in the works. So glad I found a great Red in Va!! read more

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Visited several wineries this day but this one was my favorite. The personal tasting experience was great. Dion ( sorry if I misspelled) was very attentive and friendly! He presented us some exceptional and unique wines. The grounds were very nice and relaxing. I really enjoyed the Koi Pond! read more

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It was my first time going to this winery. The owners and workers are from South Africa. They were super funny and very sweet. Be careful that when you park you don't go to "grandpas house" The barn with the wine is closer to where the horse is and it has some table and chairs. We were the first ones there and it's super small but cute. I can't imagine what it's like when it's busy. read more

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Great people and I highly recommend any of the charcuterie boards!! Relaxing place to spend an afternoon. read more

Grayhaven Winery - Wineries Near Me - Gum Spring, Virginia

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Enjoyed our time here a month ago. Simple food and good wine. The owners were exceptional and nice.

I stopped by on a Sunday afternoon to try some wines based on the great reviews. As I neared the tasting room, I noticed lots of uncleared tables, and found the same inside. There were 3 of us waiting for assistance and finally a woman showed up. When I heard that they were out of all white and rose wines, I left. It's ununfortunate that I wasn't able to try any wines. It would have been difficult to find a clean table anyway. read more

Grayhaven Winery - Standing in line, waiting for someone to help us - Wineries Near Me - Gum Spring, Virginia

Really awful fake tasting wine, like if you put raspberry essence in wine. Nice people but small pours in the tasting of not great wine.

I have been wanting to stop by this winery and I am glad we did. The owner was very knowledgeable, explained each wine well. Smooth, great tasting wine. Nice selection. Good charcuterie board, highly recommend. read more

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What a wonderful space! Came for our first time for a relaxing Saturday afternoon and it was perfect. The wine was wonderful, the staff were beyond welcoming, and the charcuterie board was just as great. We are looking forward to coming back again. read more

This is the most wonderful small family owned winery specializing in South African wines. They have vines both here and in South Africa and have wine dinners and the annual South African festival. Deon and Max are knowledgeable and extremely talented. We have been going there for many years and have never been disappointed. read more

Grayhaven Winery - Wineries Near Me - Gum Spring, Virginia

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Yikes! We arrived and I immediately got that feeling. My husband seeing the look asked if we should just leave. I decided to stick it out and give the benefit of the doubt. We should have left - it was just bad. The whites were leaving a metallic taste. The reds were just bad too. This is all our opinion, of course - this might be someone else's cup of tea"wine". Thank goodness we were sitting outside because they ALL were so bad the grass got most. My tongue is seriously feeling assaulted. The bathroom...serious sketch. You walk through what should be a condemned building - no joke, moldy ceilings, leaving (full buckets on the floor), the floor is slanted as if the foundation is no longer. Just gross - very gross. Not saying not to go - but do consider the kind of tasting experience you want to have. read more

Excellent host! Great wine...thanks for the fun experience. South Africa meets Virginia! read more

Every time I go to Grayhaven it's a great time! Let's talk aesthetics. Upon arrival you will cross a mini bridge over a koi pond to a hobbit- style tasting room! It's like stepping into a mystical fairytale. The very dainty tasting room has a bar area and a few tables for indoor seating. The owners are the hidden gems of Grayhaven! They have a way of making you feel welcomed while giving you a peak at the history of their wines. They have several South African wines that are native to the husbands homeland. My favorite wine to order here is the mulled wine and the lychee sangria.. (it is absolutely amazing) They also have a very light semi-sweet rose' that is great for a warm summer day. read more

While in the Richmond area we decided to give Grayhaven a try... The young lady working there was quick to greet us and she was very friendly, helpful and accommodating. The venue itself is very rundown, and since they weren't allowing customers inside, I couldn't imagine how tastings and visit will be during inclement weather. The style of wine they make and offer is South African, which I tend to enjoy. The wines we tried that they make were just OK, one was horrible, but that's just our feeling of it - to each their own. We did find a wine they offered, which was imported from another winery in South Africa that we enjoyed, so we stayed and had a glass or two from that bottle. Can't say that we'd return, not much scenery to enjoy while sitting & sipping. The koi pond was decent, but that was about it. read more

Grayhaven Winery - Koi in the pond - Wineries Near Me - Gum Spring, Virginia

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I LOVED this winery. I enjoyed every wine, even the reds. I will visit again. The venue is fashioned after a hobbit abode. It was cute. We sat by the pond and the owner served our tasting. He was very informative and kind. We bought two bottles of wine. One was a Rosé from France and a bottle of their Rendezvous (a red wine). There were a couple of ladies there when we arrived and another couple arrived when we were getting ready to leave. read more

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We went last year during a camping trip stop. Loved this tucked away and charming winery. The wine was delicious and we were able to try most everything they offered. We enjoyed the friendly service as well. They had a little pond that runs around the sitting area. Adorable. read more

Cute and quaint winery off the beaten path. Wines tasted lovely and have a special tie to South America. The owner was very humble and humorous. The service was above and beyond - the owner even unlocked my car that I had accidentally locked my keys inside of. What a gem! Highly recommend. read more

What a joy! We got to visit this winery on the most beautiful day of the year yet and couldn't have spent it at a better place. We were sat at a table on the deck by the koi pond, surrounded by flowers, and treated to their tasting. Now we're a group with varying wine preferences but there wasn't a wine in the tasting we didn't enjoy. The wines were easy drinking without being forgettable. Can't wait to go back and enjoy another afternoon here! read more

Grayhaven Winery - Koi pond - Wineries Near Me - Gum Spring, Virginia

This is one of the most unique experiences we've had! 100% loved it. The owner was buried....single handedly serviced a full house. He was able service each table without making it feel rushed and without making you feel he was inattentive. Bravo! I really appreciate the effort. It's an absolutely charming place. Not pretentious, just a beautiful and luscious style garden with some delicious wines and other drinks they will share while enjoying a tasting. Caution.....the granny slayer will get you!!!! The lychee sangria was absolutely brilliant for the beautiful day we've had today. I also became adorned to the Rendezvous and Orange...I think we will experiment with that during the holiday season. The owners are very personable and make sure to get around to all of their guests. We sat on the outskirts of the property due to the amount of guests but the visitors look like they would be fun to socialize with. I highly recommend a visit to Gray Haven Winery. read more

Grayhaven Winery - My wife....in her best state. - Wineries Near Me - Gum Spring, Virginia

Great wines! Very flavorful! I don't usual like reds but these reds are delicious. The owner is very friendly and very involved! Charcuterie board was delicious!! Will definitely be coming back!! read more

What an absolutely wonderful place. My wife and I love going to Virginia's wineries. It's the rare place that brings us back as regulars, but GrayHaven has become one of those exceptions even though it's a 99 minute drive for us. The location is gorgeous. The building unique with a lovely deck beside a delightful koi pond and waterfall. The rest of the property is country chic, not fancy and polished. I'm no oenophile, but I love their wines. GreyHaven serves an intriguing mix of estate wines from their 19 acres of vines of a dizzying array of varietals and imports from the owners native country of South Africa. GrayHaven is dog friendly with two winery dogs who work the parties. If you are truly lucky you'll be served by the owner who is charming as he is talented at winemaking. We love bringing family and friends to enjoy this magical spot of Middle Earth transported to central Virginia. read more

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We went there for the first time yesterday, and took another couple with us. All of us enjoyed this winery the best out of the three that we went to. Both couples spent a decent amount of money purchasing wine to take home. The cheese and sausage and cracker platter was absolutely delicious! The man who helped us, Dion, was extremely knowledgeable and quite funny to talk to. I love their varieties, and they had some wines with products from South Africa. These wines had tastes that I've never experienced in other wines. Really enjoyed it and fortunately it's close by to us. It is quite remote though, to get there read more

Grayhaven Winery - Cheese, sausage, and cracker platter. - Wineries Near Me - Gum Spring, Virginia

What a great spot loved the horses that where around. The wine was on point. Best way is to get the tasting you will go home with a bottle. The staff from the owner to the waitress and cooking staff where just amazing The food was really good. Charcuterie board was on point. Give it a try wether you sit out side or inside it will be a great experience read more

Purchased from Groupon for a tour and wine tasting, AND you get to keep the glasses as souvenirs and a platter of cheese. It is a smaller winery than what you would see at James River Cellar or Williamsburg winery. This place is pretty unique and more personal than you would get from a regular tour? - haha. I like how the owners were the ones that did the tours. We had the wife give us the tour this past weekend of the place and she was spectacular. She def knew her shiz-nits and answered any questions that we had about the place. It was quite chilly this weekend as well, so be sure to check the weather to dress appropriately. Anyways, the tour was quite interesting especially the lesson on Class A vs. Class B vs. Class C sort of winery business. On top of that, VA history on the # amount of wines that they produce and the history behind Grayhaven's South African wines. It was honestly unique and a great place to take a friend out and/or to have as part of their birthday gift. After the tour, we were then given a small cheese platter with different sorts of cheese and crackers. I remember them have cheddar, gouda, and (I think) Goat cheese with some jam from a local. It was really good, and at the end you got to keep the glasses as souvenirs. Out of all of their wine selections, my favorites were the dry wine (I can't really handle too much of a sweet wine) such as their Chamborcin. As a nice "dessert" wine, I REALLY enjoy their port. It is slightly expensive, but it's SO WORTH IT. I would always enjoy a small class of port on my back deck on cold winter nights....it's relaxing and the taste is so enjoyable. I would check out Groupon deals on Grayhaven if this is a place that you would want to learn their history and wine taste, it's really worth the drive!!!! read more

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This is a lovely spot to enjoy amazing wine and delicious snacks. The owner was so kind and attentive. He explained all the wines and even shared stories about winemaking, in general. We will definitely be back! read more

Grayhaven Winery - Housemade babaganoush and hummus. Just amazing! - Wineries Near Me - Gum Spring, Virginia

Date of visit: 02/15/2020 We are new to the area and so we googled some wineries to visit for the day. The outside of the winery is very cute: the building, ponds and the front door! Once inside you are immediately in the tasting room and it is small and cold and dingy. We were asked if we were there for the cheese tasting and we had no idea what he was talking about. They don't take the Virginia Wine Pass which immediately puts me out a little. The tastings are $10 each. We bought one a piece. We (hubby and I) liked one or two of the South African wines, did not like any of the winery's own wines. One wine was pure sediment and tasted like vinegar...we immediately dumped that one. The pourer didn't say anything to us about that. Just got home and read the YELP reviews and they were mostly good! We don't understand...we will not go back. The one good thing was the pourer told us to go to Elk Island Winery next...which we loved! read more

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What a quaint, rustic winery! I'm so glad, as we were driving down Rt. 522, we saw a little grape sign which we followed and led us to Grayhaven Winery. We pulled up to the property and immediately heard the sound of a babbling brook; we walked over a small wooden bridge to see a gentle waterfall surrounded by plants and earthy decor. We came in winter, and it was beautiful but I can imagine how glorious these surroundings would be in the springtime. We sauntered through the medieval looking door to find a cozy room filled with jovial people. We were greeted warmly... "come on in, pull up a chair!" The wrought iron chairs along the tasting bar were full once we claimed our spots. There were a few tiny tables set up which were also occupied. Grayhaven packs them in, in a good way! The tasting was fun and informative. As we tried the various wines, everyone sipped and joked. The mood was light and festive. With the heaters on, the room was toasty, and we were getting a bit toasted ourselves... The mulled cider wine was amazing, it was warm and spicy, like drinking a slice of apple pie. The Rose was light and crisp (we purchased the white and rose). The Cabernet Franc was slightly dry and bold, that'll be on my list next time we come here! The wines were moderately priced, the tasting was only $5, $8 if you want to keep the glass. I definitely foresee another visit to Grayhaven soon! read more

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Grayhaven is it's own little haven in Goochland. Every time I get a chance to visit the "hobbit winery" as we call it, it is pleasant. The owner is a South African native and his wines include a mix of grapes from that region as well as the local region. Very few wineries in the area have the owners on site willing to converse with patrons, and the owner here makes it a habit to speak to every guest in genuine conversation. In the summer they have a lychee Sangria that is love and in the fall/winter they produce a mulled wine with one of their reds. They also host a South African food and wine festival every September. It has been nice to see the winery expand and grow over the years. They are pet and kid friendly with horses and a Koi pond on the property. read more

We wandered in here on a Thursday afternoon after the original winery we'd planned to visit was unexpectedly closed. I'm so glad we did! This vineyard is run by a husband and wife team, and makes excellent use of his South African roots. I've never had varietals quite like these, and I drink a pretty decent amount of wine! Grayhaven is doing it right! Their grounds and tasting room are awesome, I can't wait to come back when the weather is nice. read more

Greyhaven is a small winery (12 acres under vine/3000 cases a year) with a VERY nice variety of vino! They started as a vineyard in 1978 but sometime in the 1990s started making their own booze. Their wine maker (and my server) was a South African gentleman named Deon, who kindly gave me the backstory of his place. What sets them apart is the availability of varietals I seldom see elsewhere. They have Touriga (Portuguese grape), Pinotage (South African), and Rkatsiteli (ancient Georgian varietal). If you're looking for your stereotypical tasting menu of Chardonnay, Viognier, and Cab Sav, look elsewhere! But if you want to expand your palate, try here. White/Rose: First off was the Moonlight White (Rkatsiteli). R-Kat is a dry white with a nice 'bite'. The dry Evening Tide was more of a Blush-style than a Rose; it was was made with Touriga; he made it in the dry style and it had a wonderful color. Reds: The Sojourn was a Chambourcin/Cab Franc blend; nice nose and earthy body. The 2013 Pinoage had a layered palate and earthy finish. But of the reds, my favorite was the Rendezvous Touriga; the boldest of the bunch. It must have been my lucky day because Deon opened a 2004 (!) Rivercrest port, which was supremely smooth. He actually was about to bottle a new vintage, and was deliberating on whether to hold on to his last bottle or drink it himself. Fortunately, he let me sample it before he chose the later. And fun fact: Greyhaven is the film location for Attack of the Vegan Zombies. No undead were spotted during my visit, vegan or otherwise. read more

Grayhaven Winery - Wineries Near Me - Gum Spring, Virginia

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While traveling home, we stopped in on a whim to this winery, in the heart of Virginia's wine country. We had a wine tasting, which consisted of some South African wines (juice imported and bottled here), some local red and white, and a Port (Rivercrest) which was excellent - very sweet but they insisted this is solely the sugar from the original wine/brandy. A bit pricey - we bought 2 bottles for about $65 (can't find receipt). We also bought a couple bottles of a white South African wine - Floriography, made with a mix of grapes which we thought were an interesting taste. These were about $20 each if I recall. The tasting room is on a family farm, with free-ranging horses and friendly dogs - a pleasant view. They had a fire pit going, with chairs and even supplied the fixings for s'mores! Luckily it was an unusually warm late December day so we took advantage. While there, we met one of the owners, an ex-pat from South Africa, which explains the unusual source of the wines. He was pleasant and made the stay even more enjoyable. Unusual in my experience, the price of the tasting wasn't deducted from our wines. read more

We did a spur of the moment stop here on our way back from Charlottesville. Such a surprise to find this gem of a local family winery. The host/owner Deon was so pleasant & personable and was more than willing to discuss wine, his personal history and journey form South Africa as well as the upcoming activities at the winery. The wines were very good (we brought home several bottles) as was the cheese/salami board. Beautiful and intimate setting sitting among the koi ponds and petting the family dogs that wonder around. Hope to return for the festival next year! read more

Awesome staff! Wines are very good and we really enjoyed the tasting room/outdoor space. Hope to return soon and see how the renovations are coming along. read more

Hosts were gracious and personable. Would recommend to anyone passing through or locals looking for a nice day trip. Wine was superb and the views were even better. read more

Not fancy, but decent wines and very quiet. Proprietor was very friendly, but in trying to hold down the fort himself created a sub-par experience. Got our charcuterie platter after our tasting was mostly over, so could not pair anything. The playground items are rusted and dangerous. read more

We came here for a bachelorette party (to start off with). Jessica and another gentleman were working who were wonderful. They told us just to yell when we were ready for our next round (they didn't want to interrupt our conversation). The place is petite, but adorable. Has lots of character and the outside is just precious. Jessica answered any and all questions we had, was so knowledged with the wine and even directed us to nearby wineries. Had a great time. read more

Love this place! Good wine, including South African wine option from owner. Owner is always here and a great host! Farm winery, quiet and comfortable! If you want fancy... go someplace else read more