Early Mountain Vineyards

About Winery: Voted "#1 Tasting Room in the Nation" by USA Today, Early Mountain Vineyards encompasses a 350-acre property surrounded by rolling hills and pastoral farms within the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Jean Case and her husband, Steve, purchased the property in 2010 and, after some renovations, re-opened it under the Early Mountain brand in 2012. They specialize in Bordeaux-type varietals such as Cabernet Franc and Merlot, as well as newer varietals namely Petit Manseng and Tannat. These wines have defined the landscape and allowed the winery to create award-winning wines. 

Visit for a wine tasting, a fine dining experience, or a stay in their guest cottage.

Aggie Connection: Jon Ruel approaches winegrowing with a keen environmental awareness, inspired by his Masters degrees from UC Davis in Viticulture and Enology and Northern Arizona University in Ecology. Before joining Early Mountain, Jon served as the CEO of Trefethen Family Vineyards in Napa Valley, where he was instrumental in elevating the brand on the global stage. Under Jon’s guidance, Early Mountain Vineyards is poised to continue leading the Virginia wine industry with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled excellence.  

Maya earned an M.S. in Viticulture and Enology from U.C. Davis, with her research focusing on time-dependent sensory profiles and bubble nucleation of sparkling wine. She gained hands-on experience at several boutique wineries across the state before joining Early Mountain, where she now leads both grape growing and winemaking. Known for her low-impact winemaking practices and site-driven wines, Maya was nominated for Wine Enthusiast’s and VinePair’s Winemaker of the Year in 2024.

Alum: Jon Ruel '04, President 

Maya Hood White, Winemaker