About Us

The Tasting Room offers guests a spacious, yet intimate setting—cozy chairs, seating for small groups, and some fun and funky decorative touches. It is welcoming and comfortable and will make you want to buy a bottle and stay a while—for the wine, the view, weekly music, and camaraderie. In cooler weather, warm up by the roaring fireplace. And during the season, you’ll love the covered patio’s southern exposure, which overlooks our Waterford vineyard.

In addition to being family-friendly, we are the most dog friendly winery in Northern Virginia. We allow leashed dogs in the Tasting Room and on the patio. In the separate fenced dog park, our four-legged guests may play off the leash and make new friends. Take a look at some of our furry visitors and make sure to read our Dog Policy before you come.

The Compass Rose Room is an ideal location for corporate or private events or special occasions such as weddings. It boasts a large open space with high ceilings, elegant lighting, cork-covered walls, and multiple French doors opening onto the patio with a view of the vineyard. There is a view into the barrel room/production, and the Compass Rose Room has its own entrance and restroom facilities. There is also an adjacent kitchen, suitable for caterer set up and service. See all of our Venue Spaces.

The Vine Room (21+) upstairs is an additional event space that accommodates up to 40 guests and has ample bar space and farm table seating. You’ll be surrounded by vines that came from our Waterford Vineyard, and the space is enhanced by whimsical and elegant vine chandeliers. It is the perfect space for more intimate social occasions and parties. For weddings, the Vine Room may be used as a gathering space for extended family members and early-arrival wedding guests.

Our extensive patio features ample seating and overlooks the lawn and rolling  landscape. The lawn has comfortable Adirondack seating—so cozy around our fire pits in the winter—as well as room for a game of corn hole. The sunsets are lovely and serene, and the setting is perfect for wedding ceremonies, with a spectacular vineyard backdrop. We also offer reserved seating for large groups or small- to-medium private parties under our 20′ x 40′ Covered Patio and on the Vineyard View Deck (21+).

In the Production Room, you’ll find French and American oak barrels (and a few puncheons!), stainless steel tanks, and all the equipment needed to manage the vineyards, harvest grapes, process, ferment, and age the wine. All winemaking is done on site at the Waterford location—usually right in front of the building. Bottling occurs by mobile truck, also in the parking lot.

As a farm winery in Northern Virginia, 8 Chains North owns and leases vineyards with about 20 acres of mature vines. The original vineyard along the Potomac River, Furnace Mountain, includes Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Traminette. The Waterford Vineyard, where the winery is located, produces Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, Viognier, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. The leased vineyards yield Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, and Chambourcin.