LWWA Launches "Uncork Loudoun" to Transform How the Trade Sources Local, Loudoun-Grown Wines

Leesburg, VA - The Loudoun Wineries & Winegrowers Association (LWWA), in partnership with Visit Loudoun and Loudoun Economic Development, today announced the launch of Uncork Loudoun, a coordinated trade initiative designed to transform how restaurants and retailers source and sell local wine.

Bringing together a collective of 13 Loudoun County wineries, the initiative focuses on education, unified marketing, and collaborative sales to expand the presence of Loudoun-grown wines across restaurants, wine shops, and regional markets.

A New Model for Local Wine in the Trade

"This is a program we've been talking about for a long time," said Aimee Henkle, Owner of Lost Creek Winery and founder of the initiative. "Everywhere you travel in the world, people drink local wine - and Loudoun is no different. Our goal is simple: to have a Loudoun Made, Loudoun Grown wine in every restaurant across Loudoun and surrounding counties, and ultimately throughout Washington, DC.

"This initiative is about making Loudoun wines easy to access, competitively priced, and fully supported through trade education so buyers and teams understand our region. Most importantly, it's about getting these wines into consumers' hands - getting them excited about what's grown and produced right here. We're making exceptional, high-quality wines in Loudoun, and it's time to showcase that through our restaurants and retailers."

Built for the Trade

Uncork Loudoun is designed to make working with local wines easier and more profitable for buyers. The program is led by Antoinette Landragin, Dip WSET, Loudoun's dedicated Brand & Sales Manager, who serves as a single point of contact for the trade - bringing deep industry expertise and a focus on education, sales support, and long-term account relationships.

• Streamlined ordering through distribution channels
• Competitive wholesale pricing and consistent supply
• Staff training, technical sheets, and marketing resources
• Direct access to winery owners and winemakers for events and education

The curated portfolio includes award-winning wines grown and produced in Loudoun County, with a focus on varietals such as Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Viognier, and Bordeaux-style blends - wines known for balance, natural acidity, and food-friendly structure.

The initiative aligns wineries around a shared mission to increase placements, strengthen pricing strategies, and build a unified Loudoun wine identity in the marketplace.

Kickoff Event: Uncork Loudoun Trade Tasting

The initiative officially launches with a trade-only tasting event on Wednesday, April 22 at Echelon Wine Bar in Leesburg, VA.
The event will feature:
Masterclass: Loudoun County Terroir (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Walk-around tasting of 30+ wines from 13 Loudoun wineries (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM)

Designed for sommeliers, wine buyers, and industry professionals, the tasting offers an immersive introduction to Loudoun's terroir, styles, and opportunities for restaurant and retail programs.

Trade professionals are invited to RSVP to:
Antoinette Landragin, Dip WSET
Loudoun Wine Sales & Brand Manager
antoinette@loudounwine.org

Program Growth & Future Expansion

Uncork Loudoun is launching as a pilot program with a select group of wineries, with a clear path for expansion. The long-term vision is to grow the collective, bring more Loudoun producers into the portfolio, and steadily increase placements across restaurants, retail, and regional markets.

Participating Wineries

The pilot program includes 13 Loudoun wineries: 8 Chains North Winery, 868 Estate Vineyards, Bozzo Family Vineyards, Cana Vineyards & Winery, Domaine Fortier Vineyards, Endhardt Vineyards, Fabbioli Cellars, Good Spirit Farm Winery, Hillsborough Vineyards, Iron Will Winery, Lost Creek Winery, October One Vineyard, and Two Twisted Posts Winery.

About Uncork Loudoun

Uncork Loudoun is a regional trade initiative developed by the Loudoun Wineries & Winegrowers Association in collaboration with Visit Loudoun and Loudoun Economic Development to increase the visibility, accessibility, and sales of Loudoun County wines through coordinated education, marketing, and sales efforts.

Located just outside Washington, DC, Loudoun County is defined by diverse soils, varied microclimates, and a growing reputation for producing high-quality, terroir-driven wines.

Explore the full portfolio of wines here:
https://loudounwine.org/trade

Loudoun Wineries & Winegrowers Association
PO Box 1200
Leesburg, VA 20177

Media Contact

Aimee Henkle
Owner, Lost Creek Winery
aimee@lostcreekwinery.com 540-808-6255

Loudoun Wineries & Winegrowers Association (LWWA) is the unified voice of Loudoun County's winery and winegrowing community, representing nearly 50 wineries just outside Washington, DC. The association advances the success of Loudoun wine through advocacy, education, and strategic marketing, with a focus on strengthening trade relationships and growing placements across restaurants, retailers, and hospitality partners. LWWA's members are committed to producing high‐quality, terroir‐driven wines while protecting the region's agricultural foundation and promoting responsible rural growth. Through initiatives like Uncork Loudoun, the Loudoun Wine Awards, and seasonal campaigns, LWWA elevates the Loudoun County wine brand locally and regionally.

This release was published on openPR.