Meet Andrea Matheson, General Manager of Chisholm Vineyards and Adventure Farm in Charlottesville, Va.

I like to think of Chisholm Vineyards as my neighborhood vineyard. It's less than 10 minutes from my house, on the most stunning piece of land I've ever seen. And even as a Charlottesville newbie, I still always see a familiar face or two every time I go.

On Friday nights, the place becomes alive — the thumping rhythm of a live band; the smell of fresh, local food wafting from the visiting food truck; a group of kids chasing a giant beach ball through the sunset-drenched lawn; and at least one group of friends celebrating a birthday with clinking glasses and homemade charcuterie boards.

Since moving to Charlottesville, Chisholm has been one of the first places to give me that warm, homey feeling.

So to partner with Andrea, who has managed the vineyard and farm since 2013, has been so incredible! Andrea grew up on the land and moved back in 1991 when her grandfather was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

In 2007, Andrea's grandmother started the vineyard, with the first wine produced in 2012 — a Gigi Red Blend and Chardonnay. Two years later came the tasting room, and as Andrea says, "the rest is history!"

Q&A with Andrea: Growing up on the farm, her grandparents' legacy, and a peek into the vineyard's future

What do you love most about your job?
My favorite part about being an entrepreneur is thinking outside the box, figuring out how all the pieces fit together, and making a plan to realize the dreams. I love working from home and having the flexibility to take care of my children. I also love sharing the farm with our community. The best part about farming is the benefits of living in a beautiful place and knowing that you are keeping green space preserved and the heritage alive. 

What was it like to grow up on the farm?
I grew up as an only child, so in some respects it was lonely being on a big farm all by myself. But I often had friends over, and we would wander the fields, play in the creeks, or ice skate in the winter. My grandparents lived on the farm, too, so we spent a lot of time fishing, checking cattle, or riding horses. It was simple and pure.

What's one thing people might not realize about what it takes to run a vineyard?
Running a vineyard takes a lot of hard work, investment, patience, and in the end, whatever good luck Mother Nature allows. There is never a slow time. I would never consider farming to be a hobby and know there are many easier ways to make a living. I often joke that I could make more money not working or gambling in Las Vegas. The joy of being on the land and being a part of the seasons is a driving force through even the most difficult times. 

How does Chisholm differ from other vineyards in the area?
Our wine is 100 percent estate-grown, which means that we only use the grapes that we grow on our farm. We are also a family-owned and operated farm with beef cattle. The setting is peaceful and relaxed, family-friendly with lawns, gardens, a lake, and a spectacular Blue Ridge Mountain view. We have a relaxed approach to wine and enjoy engaging with our customers, telling our story, hearing theirs, and learning about wine and life together.

What makes a memorable wine? 
A wine is only as memorable as the experience you have while drinking it. The best wine is one that is tasted in a beautiful and meaningful setting with people you care about the most.

What's your all-time favorite wine?
Having an all-time favorite wine is almost impossible since, to me, it depends on the setting, the company, the season, or the weather. However, I am a big fan of champagne and sparkling wine and feel they go with all foods and can be enjoyed at any moment. Champagne is viewed as a luxury item, but really like anything fine and precious, it should be enjoyed and not relegated to celebrations. I am fond of French biodynamic and organic champagne, which is beyond words.

Which Chisholm wines are you most proud of?
I love our darker style Rosé, made with Chambourcin, and so do our customers. The perception has been that lighter Rosés are more appealing, but the trend is toward darker versions with more flavor and less intervention. Our signature wines are our Gigi Red Blend and Farmer’s Reserve. Both are unique and showcase our high-quality fruit.

What's one thing most people don't know about you?
Most customers are shocked to know I have six children! It is my balancing fate, since I was an only child. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Family is everything to me. 

What's your favorite thing about Charlottesville?
It is my home and such a beautiful place to live. I feel blessed every single day and would not trade it for the world. Although I love traveling and have a long list of places to visit, I will always come back to my home.

Who inspires you?
My grandparents have been my biggest inspiration. I spent so much time with my grandfather on the farm and remember so many of his antidotes and soaked up his approach to life. It would be a long book to write about his wisdom and how I try to embody that spirit on a daily basis. My grandmother is 93, and her ongoing will and strength keeps me focused. She has always been there for me and is the centerpiece of our life here today.

What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day starts early, a homemade bulletproof coffee and then to work, usually at my computer. I do my best work in the first part of the day. In the afternoons, I go out and take care of business. There are breaks for children and eating, but the farm and the wine business are always on my mind. If it's not football or basketball season, I am watching shows about food and wine or reading anything I can about wine around the world. The more I learn, the less I know. I dream about it all, too. My family jokes about a t-shirt I wear that reads, “Never not working,” but the reality is that it really isn’t work at all. It is living and I love it. 

What's in store for Chisholm in the near future?
With the winemaking team at Early Mountain Vineyard, we aim to make wines with minimal intervention that are true to the terroir. In 2020, we will have a new “orange” wine or skin-contact Chardonnay that we are super excited about. This is an ancient method that leaves the skins on and allows for more depth and tannins. We would like to experiment with kegged wine that could be served on tap and purchased with reusable growlers. There is also a trend for simple packaging like cans, and I like the idea of keeping up with the desires of the customers. ​

learn about my event at Chisholm next month

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Laura Richards is a family, newborn and maternity photographer in Charlottesville, Virginia. She specializes in authentic, feel-good photographer that tells "the story of you" for decades. Learn all about what makes her different from other photographers here.