About
You might not think of Virginia as wine country, but there is a very special winery in Goodview, VA, that recently opened in May 2021. Fables & Feathers Winery is a family-owned and operated winery, but it’s much more than that. It’s a destination for families and loved ones to celebrate the bounty of the fertile Virginia soil.
The story began many years ago, in Illinois, when a young man named Tom took a young woman named Pam on a first date to go bowling. Five children later, the Leudtke family grew to include beloved daughters-in-law and seven grandkids. A green thumb, Tom started growing grapes in their backyard as a hobby in 2008. Soon, jams, jellies, and homemade wine began appearing on the family table.
They began Marquette and Effemelle Winery, which proved to be a success. Fast forward to 2020, and the Leudtke’s discovered a full-fledged winery for sale in Goodview, VA called White Rock Winery. They reinvigorated the winery using their experience and hard work, and renamed it Fables & Feathers Winery. So even though Fables & Feathers Winery is officially just over a year old, the actual winery and the loving family who operate it have years of experience in the winery industry. Best of all, you can visit the winery and sample the fruits of their labor, along with some other enjoyable activities, beverages and events!
Fables & Feathers Winery: Fun Facts & Cool Features
This is an excellent destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in nature on a Smith Mountain Lake getaway. When the weather suits, you can wander the vineyard and admire the trees and hills in the background. On colder days, sip wine inside and take in the surroundings through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The family “home” is a massive white colonial-style house, with what I would call a garden room or a conservatory. The tasting room is located upstairs, where you can sample a variety of wines, beers, and ciders.
This is a casual place, where people generally turn up in blue jeans and a nice shirt. The space features an open concept design, with ample natural light and multiple seating areas. You and your friends can sit back and relax on a sofa, an easy chair, or any number of other comfortable seating options.
As mentioned, the beer and cider tastings feature interesting flavors, like a pineapple cider, honey-infused wine, peach sangria, and more. Their wines include chardonnay, riesling, rkatsiteli, merlot, and pinot noir, to name a few.
When it comes to food, they don't have a very extensive menu. However, they do have delectable chocolate truffles that will pair perfectly with your wine sampling. They are also probably the most beautiful truffles you will ever try!
The owners like to support local causes, too. For instance, they recently hosted a pet adoption and donation drive in partnership with a local animal shelter. That’s just the kind of people the owners are, and it shows in the way they operate the winery.
They also often have live music and other fun events like “Yoga in the Vineyard,” Stitch & Sip,” and a Greek food day.
They advertise features such as RV and bus parking, a picnic area, and being pet and child-friendly. It’s worth it mentioning that on rainy days, kids can play inside with a Brio train set and various kids’ toys.