Episode #10 Andrew Hodson/Founder & Owner of Veritas Vineyards and Winery

Fine Wine Confidential Podcast

Veritas Winery was established in 1999 by Andrew Hodson and his wife Patricia. They both had successful careers in the Medical field but asked themselves is this all there is? So, during a folk tour after meeting a couple who had moved to Virginia and described how they had never been happier and that Virginia had a budding winegrowing industry. Andrew and Patricia looked into Virginia and eventually bought a piece of property that was Saddleback Farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and planted their first vines in 1999 with the help and direction of Chris Hill one of Virginia's pioneering viticulturist. Surprisingly, with the luck of perfect weather they had a crop in 2001 and produced their first vintage. Andrew started as the winemaker and later on his daughter Emily Pelton would join the winery as the winemaker after getting her degree in enology at Virginia Tech. She has been the winemaker since. Veritas is truly a family affair as their son George joined them an is CEO along with their youngest daughter Chloe who is project manager and oversees all hospitality and events.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE INCLUDE:
a). Andrew details why he, and his wife Patricia, decided to leave their careers in the Medical field and start a vineyard and winery in Virginia.
b). Andrew gives much credit to why the experts in Virginia like Chris Hill, noted viticulturist, Tony Wolf, head of the Virginia Tech agricultural extension service focused on winegrowing, and Brue Zoecklein, foremost Enologist at Virginia Tech were so important to him in the beginning and the Virginia wine industry in general.
c). Andrew shares why he wasn't daunted by taking on the role as the winemaker for the first vintages at Veritas with no former wine making experience.
d). He then chronicles how and when his daughter Emily came on board and became the winemaker in 2004 and has been since.
e). He talks extensively how Petit Verdot became a focus varietal and wine for Veritas.
f). Discusses why he believes their Authenticity is one of the keys to their success.
g). mentions the humble beginnings when they first started a tasting room. It consisted, much like any number of smaller family wineries, of two barrels and a plank for the tasting bar.
There is so much more; take a listen or read the full transcript which is attached.

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