Unicorn Winery in Amissville is on the market for $1.8 million. The sale includes 18.8 acres, a five bedroom brick residence and a turnkey winery with all equipment needed to produce over 2,000 cases of wine annually.

A one acre pond is nestled next the winery with a pond-side deck. It was the 55^th winery established in Virginia. Today, there are 275 wineries in the state.

Proprietors Richard and Sandy LePage are the second owners of the winery that originally opened in 2000; the couple purchased the property in 2008.

An on-site six and a half acre vineyard is planted in five varietals and produces 60 percent of the tasting room wines. The remaining fruit is purchased from other Virginia vineyards.

The winery is located on Old Bridge Road just north of the Culpeper County line in the Clevengers Corner area. The LePages built a covered stage on the back of the property—bordered by 650 feet of Rappahannock River frontage—and host many events there.

“Last year, we sponsored a fundraiser for Hospice that generated $14,000 for the organization,” said Sandy LePage. The setting is ideal for outdoor performances utilizing a sweeping natural amphitheater overlooking the river.

“The property is phenomenal, Mother Nature’s natural landscaping,” said Richard LePage. “We have no plans to leave the Piedmont region. We love the Blue Ridge Mountains and the foothills. We’ll stay in the area.”

Not only will they remain in the Piedmont, the sale of the winery comes with an offer for the LePages to manage it and train new owners, with the couple living either onsite or off; preferably on the property.

The river setting is dramatic and the hard-working couple often relaxes by setting up plastic Adirondack chairs in the middle of the shallow river and “enjoying a bottle of wine” after a day of working in the tasting room.

Interestingly, years ago, well-known Old Dominion vintner Chris Pearmund bottled his first wine with his name on the label. Pearmund was consulting for the winery at the time.

Challenges
So what precipitated the sale of the winery? “Our financial and working partners unexpectedly retired to Wyoming last May,” said Sandy LePage. The couple was the “right arm” of the LePages, running the winery whenever they attended festivals or were otherwise away from the operation.

“We don’t have them available anymore” and it’s become more work than passion for the LePages whose adult children have not shown an interest in running the business.

Another challenge was the closing of the Waterloo Bridge last year for safety reasons. The bridge was used by over 800 cars daily and provided access to winery guests coming from Northern Virginia.

“We’ve seen a drop in foot traffic since the closing,” said, Sandy LePage. She is working with GPS firms to create new coordinates for travelers.

While the real estate listing is being marketed as a full winery, the LePages will consider offers for purchase of the residence, winery or winery equipment separately. “We are flexible” and would negotiate any portion of the property in part or whole. The equipment includes wines presses, tanks, tractors, trucks and inventory.

Interested buyers can contact Horizon Real Estate in Warrenton for further details.

 

Published in the September 26, 2014 edition of the Fauquier Times.