Farm House on Working Vineyard Near Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville

About Susan Gorman

Years ago, while stationed in the small city of Bad Kreuznach, Germany on the banks of the Nahe River, Paul and Ruth Gorman discovered a passion for the Riesling wines that were crafted with care in the little vineyards surrounding the town. It was then and there that they decided to add their own vineyard to their retirement plans. While stationed in Panama, Paul and Ruth came up to Virginia to look for a property to which to retire. The property has been an apple and peach orchard in the past, as well as a sheep farm. Although the building was rather shambling, the Gormans bought it knowing that it could be restored to something beautiful. In 1985, Paul retired from the army, and they moved to their farm in Afton, which they called Cardinal Point. Their first order of business was to install the first four acres — two acres each of Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon — on what is now Cardinal Point Vineyard. While eldest son John, a graduate of UVa's architecture school, oversaw the renovation of the old farmhouse on the property, daughter Sarah and youngest son Tim tended the vines while home from school during the summers. Tim took over as full-time Vineyard Manager in 1989, and has grown the Vineyard to 15 acres, supporting a variety of vinifera. In 2002, Paul and Ruth finally realized their dream of erecting a winery on the premises. Tim now adds wine making to his farm duties, and the rest of the family share responsibilities in the enterprise. We are proud to have Cardinal Point on the property, and we hope you will enjoy what it has to offer.

Why Susan Gorman chose Afton

The Afton and northern part of Nelson County is a beautiful and very special place. It is conveniently located just 25 minutes from Charlottesville and 15 minutes from both Waynesboro and Crozet. There is so much to do in our area and so many natural resources to take advantage of, that we think you will also enjoy your stay at Cardinal Point.