King Family Vineyards.

Overview

King Family Vineyards sits on 6550 Roseland Farm, a 327-acre former cattle ranch between Crozet and the Blue Ridge. The King family bought the land in 1996, planted their first vines two years later, opened a tasting room in 2002, and built it into one of the most decorated wineries in Virginia. The 2023 Virginia Governor's Cup is the highest-profile of a long string of awards. Matthieu Finot, a French-trained vintner who joined as winemaker in 2007, has been a constant.

The winery

Estate-grown Viognier, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Petit Manseng, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Tannat. Roughly 30 acres under vine. The signature wines:

• Crosé, the family's dry rosé. Light, food-friendly, the Wine Wednesday default.
• Loreley, a late-harvest Petit Manseng. Sweet but not cloying.
• Crosé Bubbles, sparkling rosé.
• 7th Chukker, the port-style fortified wine, named for the polo. The bottle to take to a dinner party.
• Mountain Plains, the flagship Bordeaux blend. The 2023 Governor's Cup winner.

The tasting room is the original farm building, expanded through the early 2010s, with a long bar and a porch that opens onto the polo field and the mountains beyond. Tastings are $20 per person, walk-in for groups of six or fewer; reservations for larger groups. Mon/Tue/Thu 10–6:30; Wed 10–8:30; Fri–Sun 10–5:30. Wine Wednesdays push the close back and add live music on the porch. Closed Tuesdays in the offseason. Check kingfamilyvineyards.com before driving out.

Polo, fireworks, and the calendar

King Family's distinguishing feature among Monticello AVA wineries is the social programming. Roseland Polo matches run every Sunday at noon from Memorial Day through mid-October, on the field directly behind the tasting room. Spectating is free. Bring a picnic blanket, dress somewhere between casual and slightly fancy, walk the field at halftime to stomp the divots back down. The match is real polo by professional players who actually compete; you're encouraged to watch but no one minds if you don't.

POLOWEEN is the Halloween finale: the last polo match of the season, in costume, doubling as one of the village's better adult social nights of the year.

In 2024, the Crozet Independence Day Celebration relocated its fireworks to King Family. The village parade still rolls down Crozet Avenue at 5 PM, but the fireworks at 9:30 PM now launch from the King Family back acreage with the Blue Ridge silhouetted behind them. Suggested $5 donation per person to keep the fireworks free for kids. July 4, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of US independence; King Family is the spot for that one.

Other regular programming: Wine Wednesdays on the first Wednesday of each month with live music on the porch. Private events and weddings book the Carriage House, a 200-capacity event venue on the property. The polo grounds host a handful of charity matches each season. The events page on the site fills a quarter ahead.

What to order, what to do

First-time visitors: do the seated tasting. Five wines, a knowledgeable pourer, about 45 minutes. Crosé is on the flight in summer, Petit Verdot in fall. Buy a bottle of whichever surprised you and stay for a glass on the porch.

Repeat visitors: skip the tasting, get a bottle and two glasses at the bar, find a seat outside. Cheese boards and small bites are on offer. During polo season the porch fills by 11:30; arrive early to get a seat before the match starts.

Bringing out-of-town guests: come on a Sunday during polo season.

Why it matters

King Family is a working wine operation that took its viticulture seriously and applied the same seriousness to social space. The Governor's Cup wins are real. The polo is real. The fireworks are real.

Matthieu Finot has been winemaker since 2007. The King family has owned the land since 1996 and the polo field since the early 2000s. Roseland Polo runs every Sunday Memorial Day through mid-October. The Independence Day fireworks first went up here on July 4, 2024; they will go up again in 2026, 2027, and the years after.

In the news

King Family Vineyards· Jun 15

King Family hosts Crozet July 4 fireworks for the third year

Since 2024 the village's July 4 fireworks have launched from King Family Vineyards' back acreage at 9:30 PM, with the Blue Ridge as the backdrop. 2026 is the 250th US independence anniversary.

More winery in Crozet

Winery

Grace Estate Winery

50+ acres. Two 2026 Governor's Cup Gold Medals. Live music + food truck Fridays 6–9 PM.

Winery

Stinson Vineyards

Garagiste-style French wines. Father–daughter Scott Stinson and Rachel Stinson Vrooman. Inn at Stinson onsite.

Winery

White Hall Vineyards

Established 1992. 48 acres at 800 ft. Wide varietal range; weddings.

← Back to the Crozet business directory