Fairfax County’s first winery, Paradise Springs Winery, became part of an exclusive contingent from the Commonwealth of Virginia as it was one of just six state wineries to be showcased on the global stage at the 5th Wine Paris Vinexpo Paris in February 2024, bringing Fairfax County’s wine scene into the spotlight.
The winery, already the first bi-coastal wine brand in the United States after opening a second location in Santa Barbara, CA, showcased several of its key blends, including 2023's Virginia Governor’s Cup Case Winner, the 2021 Petit Verdot, at the Wine Paris Vinexpo event. The renowned international wine and spirits exhibition, one of the largest wine shows in the world, took place from February 12 – 14 in Paris, France.
In addition to the Petit Verdot, the winery also poured the Cabernet Franc Petit Manseng and the specialty PVT (50% Petit Verdot/50% Tannat), which was also served at the U.S. Ambassador’s home during the U.S. Ambassador Dinner.
Following its successful participation at the 2024 Wine Paris Vinexpo, Paradise Springs Winery continues to elevate Virginia wine on the global stage. As Fairfax County’s first winery and the nation’s first bi-coastal wine brand, Paradise Springs remains a strong ambassador for Virginia’s growing wine industry.
In early 2025, the winery welcomed internationally renowned sommelier Charlie Arturaola, who visited Paradise Springs to explore and highlight Virginia’s unique wine offerings. This visit reinforced the winery’s position as a leader in the region and helped to introduce its award-winning wines to a broader audience.
Paradise Springs, nestled in Fairfax County’s bucolic town of Clifton, Virginia, has been family-owned and operated for 18 years. The historic property where the winery is located was part of the original land grant from Lord Fairfax in 1716 to the family’s direct ancestors and has been passed down through the generations since.
Paradise Springs Winery CEO & Founder Kirk Wiles says, “To think of the journey we’ve been on since opening the winery over 18 years ago, to now have our wine being well received globally by audiences in different regions that are known the world over for producing excellent wines, is a really satisfying feeling."
He continued, “Having served as the chairman of the Virginia Wine Board for 8 years now, we’ve always had a vision for where Virginia wine can go, and to be here in this moment is validating for the Commonwealth - being recognized as producing some of the best wine in the United States. The goal is to reach new audiences that don’t know the quality of Virginia wine, and the more people that know about our exceptional product, the higher the demand will be.”
Paradise Springs Winery will also be hosting a 5k and 10k run on Saturday, March 1st, 2025. Participants can enjoy a challenging course at Hemlock Overlook, followed by a celebratory glass of wine. The winery also hosts live music every Saturday from various local artists from 2-6pm, and trivia nights one Friday a month. Keep your eyes peeled for additional events Paradise Springs Winery will be hosting or attending in spring and summer 2025!