Vint Hill Craft Winery was founded in 2009 by veteran Virginia winemaker Chris Pearmund and business executive Ray Summerell; these two industry leaders are spearheading this new concept in ultra premium personalized winemaking; ensuring quality, success and sustainability. The state of the art “green” winery is located in the unique historic barns at the former Vint Hill Farms Station, VA. The barn facility was once a high-security listening station used by the US Government from the early 1940s through the late 1990s.
Executive Winemaker – Chris Pearmund
Chris Pearmund is one of Virginia’s most widely recognized and highly decorated winegrowers and winemakers. He has over 25 years experience as a winemaker, vineyard manager and winery operator. In addition to being Managing Partner of Vint Hill Craft Winery, he also manages Pearmund Cellars, the Winery at La Grange and Meriwether Vineyard.
Chris has been President of the Virginia Vineyards Association, Chairman of the Virginia Wine and Food Society and a Board Member of the Virginia Wineries Association. He regularly speaks at wine and vineyard seminars and conferences and is published frequently in both the regional and national wine media.
Chris is a nationally certified wine judge by the American Wine Society, has taught the Higher Certificate Education course for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, and has organized and taught numerous courses to both amateurs and professionals on various aspects of the wine industry.
Winemaker – DJ Leffin
DJ has moved up in the world of fermentation. With a start in beer production, he moved to winemaking first at Pearmund Cellars under the watchful eye of Chris Pearmund and is now our full time enologist and Partner at Vint Hill Craft Winery.
With Army officer training, a degree in science and sense of humor from his acting days, DJ is always a charm to work with and a good person from whom to learn. His days as a school teacher and the fact that he has just finished the certificate program in viticulture and enology from U.C. Davis make him a great asset for the teaching and learning environment of Vint Hill Craft Winery.
Winemaker – Seth Chambers
Seth Chambers joined our team in 2010 and supports winemaking operations at Pearmund Cellars, the Winery at La Grange, and Vint Hill Craft Winery. Prior to accepting a permanent position with us, he gained several years experience in vineyard management and winemaking, working with nine Virginia wineries.
Seth began his winemaking career by interning with Chris Pearmund during the summer of 2006 and that year, worked through his first harvest and crush. He continued his education at Penn State, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in organic chemistry and microbiology; he is currently working towards a certificate in enology from Washington State University.