Although the focus of an expansive 700-acre farm in Essex County is its winery, Wind Vineyards is more of a family-fun destination.

by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi

That’s right—family. Wine and family fun aren’t words that normally go together, but Dr. Tyler Wind, his wife Ashley and their children are making the two synonymous. In fact the banner on Wind Vineyards’ website boasts “serving wine and family fun since 2021.”

And indeed, the farm a few miles northwest of Tappahannock, just off Richmond Tappahannock Highway, has been doing just that with its monster truck shows, concerts, fall festivals and Christmas and Easter celebrations.

The winery and vineyard is one of seven businesses the couple operate but it’s evident in the way Wind talks about it, it’s his pride and joy. “Changing, growing, adding” are all catchwords used by Wind, who speaks enthusiastically about all of his plans for Wind Vineyards at Laurel Grove.

“When we started this, it was not just about going into the wine business to make money from selling a bottle of wine. The point of the farm is the process from planting a seed to putting the cork in the bottle.

“And, if I’m being honest, we couldn’t survive just being a winery. We couldn’t pay for the press or the 37 acres on just wine sales, ” he said. “We use wine as the backbone to things.”

A native of Tappahannock and 1997 graduate of Essex High School, Wind wanted to start a business that would draw people to his native county for fun and entertainment.

“I really wanted to do this here because this is home to me. This is where my heart is.”

Carnival ideas spun in his head and eventually the winery and all its activities are what evolved.

“We wanted there to be more to do here than any other place [in Virginia],” said Wind.

A lover of all things agriculture, Wind was fascinated by the agritourism business and dove in full force in 2018 when his family planted about 27 acres of grapes on the farm. They’re up to 37 acres now.

“I fell in love with agritourism and the aspect of exposing people to agriculture with fun events.”

With 24 different varieties of grapes, Wind Vineyards grows more varieties of grapes than any other winery in the state, according to Wind. They currently have 13 wines in the tasting room and are preparing to make 20 new wines this year. Although Wind and family do 95% of the “grunt” wine-making work, Tom Payette is the brains behind the operation. He brings 40 years of wine-making experience to the operation as a consultant.

And unlike some new wineries, which purchase grapes from other vineyards, all the wine at Wind Vineyards is made from grapes grown on-site and 100% of the processing is also done on property with a high-tech bottling process capable of producing 1,000 bottles an hour.

The winery includes two buildings, including the vineyard pole barn, a 3,400-square-foot building that opened in 2021 with the first fall festival. It’s barely visible from Route 360. A tasting room, a couple hundred yards off of the highway, is 18,000-square-foot under roof and opened in May 2022. It includes covered patios, tasting room, a second-floor event space and the production center.

Family fun

The tasting room is where the weekly fun takes place, from bingo to karaoke and line dancing to trivia. There’s something happening literally every night Wednesdays through Sundays. There’s music on Saturdays and Sundays, and on Fridays during the warmer months.

A few weeks ago, I stopped by for a taste of wine and some Saturday evening bingo. There were several families there dining and winning Wind Vineyards’ swag.

Food trucks are often on-site and the winery also now serves its own tasty fare including a pretzel charcuterie, tacos, wraps, barbecue sandwiches, flatbreads and sesame tuna.

“We want it to be a place not to just hang out and drink wine but to come and have a nice lunch or dinner,” said Wind.

Non-alcoholic slushes and ciders are also available.

The vineyard building/pole barn is where the major events take place. This Memorial Day weekend national recording artist Darryl Worley takes the stage. In August, Confederate Railroad returns.

A Bluegrass Festival kicks off the month of May and 80s tribute band, The Deloreans, will rock the winery in July.

But probably the biggest draw is the Wind Vineyards monster truck shows. One happened in late April and another is scheduled in September. Monster truck demos also happen during Harvest Festival weekends.

“All of these events draw thousands,” said Wind, who was excited to add the winery’s recent Easter celebrations, including an adult egg hunt with about $6,000 in prizes, and a Bunny run. It was listed by a travel sight as one of the top five Easter celebrations in Virginia. The winery received a similar ranking for its Christmas celebration, which included wreath making, Santa Claus and children’s activities.

Its Harvest Festival weekends include vendors, haunted hayrides, corn mazes and a field of fun area with over 20 activities including slides, corn pits, sluicing for rocks and monster truck rides.

There are lots of plans and additions in the works this year when Wind hopes to add an Antique Farm Day and host a mud run/obstacle course.

A 43-foot wooden deadrise, built in Urbanna, will be transformed into an outdoor tasting barn by the pond. Groundbreaking on a new miniature golf course is happening now.

Wind recently submitted an application for a brewery and cidery at the farm and has planted 100 apple trees. He wants there to be a “pick-your-own” component with visitors able to pick apples, peaches and strawberries on-site. He’d also like to partner with local growers for an occasional farmers’ market.

“It’s taken a while to pull the business out of Richmond and Fredericksburg, but we are expanding beyond our region. Eighty to eight-five percent of our business comes from Richmond. And that’s what we want to do, bring people to Essex County,” said Wind.

The post Wind Vineyards: Family fun on the farm first appeared on Wind Vineyards.

Most activities are included with admission; however, Knockerballs, Apple Cannon/Paintball, Dunk Tank, and Whizzer Scrambler ride require a $2.00 cash fee to participate. The Grape Crusher Monster Truck ride does include a cash only fee to ride.

Learn more about the event: October Fall Festival – Wind Vineyards

Tickets:

Adult (ages 13+): $15.00
Child (ages 3-12): $10.00
Children Under 3 are free!

Purchase Tickets here: Wind Farms & Vineyards Fall Harvest Festival (runsignup.com)

The post Wind Vineyards Fall Harvest Festival first appeared on Wind Vineyards.

Most activities are included with admission; however, Knockerballs, Apple Cannon/Paintball, Dunk Tank, and Whizzer Scrambler ride require a $2.00 cash fee to participate. The Grape Crusher Monster Truck ride does include a cash only fee to ride.

Learn more about the event: October Fall Festival – Wind Vineyards

Tickets:

Adult (ages 13+): $15.00
Child (ages 3-12): $10.00
Children Under 3 are free!

Purchase Tickets here: Wind Farms & Vineyards Fall Harvest Festival (runsignup.com)

The post Wind Vineyards Fall Harvest Festival first appeared on Wind Vineyards.

We have THREE of the world’s BEST monster trucks, a mini monster truck, a pit party that rivals any you can find, clear views for everyone in attendance, and one of the largest monster truck tracks in the country with ACRES of jumps and obstacles allowing the trucks to perform freely—no small indoor arenas, crammed jumps on a pulling track, or small venue constraints! There is no monster truck venue more fun for drivers or fans!

Come join Walking Tall Monster Truck and Grand Slam mini monster as they welcome Hurricane Force and Storm Damage Monster Trucks to the farm! These trucks are fresh off of the Monster Jam circuit and eager to thrill the folks of Eastern Virginia! NEVER have there been this many nationally known trucks competing in our region!

Ticket Price & Sales

Ticket sales through August 27: $15 for kids (3-12 years old) and $25 for adults (13 & up)
Ticket sales after August 27: $20 for kids (3-12 years old) and $30 for adults (13 & up)
Children 2 and under are free!
& Attend both show dates (September 17 & 18) for a discounted price for a limited time of $40 for adults and $25 for kids!

Get your tickets here: Wind Vineyards Monster Truck Show & Harvest Festival (givesignup.org)

Event Schedule

Saturday, September 17, 2022, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sunday, September 18, 2022, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Grape Harvest Festival starts off a 1:00 pm
Enjoy slides, bounce houses, games, rides, food trucks, concessions, vendors, and of course, award winning Wind Vineyards wine, sangria, and ridiculously delicious wine slushies! Wind Vineyards brand new monster ride truck, GRAPE CRUSHER, will load up daring attendees and take them for a ride in a REAL monster truck! (additional fee required)

Pit Party starts at 3:00 pm
Included with your admission ticket, attendees get a chance to get up close and personal with the drivers of the monster trucks, mini monster trucks, and other competitors to chat, get autographs, and snap photos with these amazing machines. No other show in the country will allow such a personal experience! Merchandise from the trucks will be on sale.

Monster Truck show starts at 4:00 pm
Find your seat early as the real fun begins when the engines fire up and national superstars Walking Tall, Hurricane Force, & Storm Damage take to the air for high flying car crushing action, including jumping a full-size school bus! The show will also feature “Grand Slam,” driven by 11yo Tyler Wind, II.

An old-fashioned DEMOLITION DERBY will entertain everyone midway through the show! A kid’s “Power Wheels” race will steal the spotlight and put your youngster center stage on the track at intermission! (sign up coming soon for Power Wheels racing). “Tough trucks” are scheduled for racing as well as other motorsports fun!

On Sunday only, you can see professional lawn mower racing!

TAILGATE SPOTS are available for $200 and will allow you to park your vehicle trackside to grill, hang out, and watch the show with a front row seat! These spots will be laid out and marked clearly to guarantee your position and are very limited.
This event is rain or shine. The event line up and activities are subject to change, and we are working to add more attractions. Please realize that machines all break occasionally and while all participants will do their best to make the show go on, disabled machines are possible.

Rules & Regulations

• NO PETS please!
• There is NO OUTSIDE DRINKS allowed anywhere and bringing drinks is grounds for immediate dismissal without refund. We will have Wind Vineyards wine, sangria, beer, and hard cider available for sale AS WELL AS WATER, soft drinks, and Gatorade.
• Outside food is NOT allowed EXCEPT for those with tailgate spots. Tailgate ticket holders may bring food and/or a grill. Tailgate tickets are only for the trackside spot and general admission tickets must be purchased as well.
• Seating is limited and bringing chairs and tents is not only allowed but encouraged.

Get your tickets here: Wind Vineyards Monster Truck Show & Harvest Festival (givesignup.org)

The post 2nd Annual Grape Harvest Festival with Monster Truck Show first appeared on Wind Vineyards.