FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hickory Hill Vineyards to Retire from Farm Winery Business at End of 2025 After 25 Years

Moneta, VA – June 14, 2025 – After a quarter-century as a beloved fixture in the Smith Mountain Lake community, Hickory Hill Vineyards has announced plans to retire from the farm winery business at the end of 2025. This decision marks the conclusion of a remarkable chapter for the family-owned vineyard, known for its warm hospitality, handcrafted wines, and the cherished Sunset Saturday concert series.

This summer, the winery will operate under reduced hours for wine sales only. As the Furrows ease into retirement, regular tastings and wine flights will no longer be offered.

“It has been a good run,” shared Wendy Furrow-Scott, Winemaker and co-owner, as she looked out over the 33-year-old vineyard. “I’ve worked here longer than any other job I’ve had—maybe longer than all of them combined!”

Reflecting on their time at Hickory Hill, the Furrow family said the greatest joy has been the people. “It’s the visitors and the music I’ll miss most,” Furrow-Scott added. From 2005 through 2023, Hickory Hill hosted Sunset Saturday, a summer concert series that became a beloved local tradition.

Although last year’s grape crop was lost to deer damage, a wide selection of bottled wines remains available. Customers are welcome to shop in person on Fridays from 1–5 p.m., or order online through the Hickory Hill website and schedule a convenient pickup time. While traditional tastings are no longer available, visitors can enjoy a “Tasting Quartet”—a set of four wines and four glasses designed for a self-guided tasting experience, complete with links to online tasting notes. It’s a perfect way to bring the Hickory Hill experience home and share it with friends.

Furrow-Scott estimates they’ve led close to a quarter million tastings over the past 25 years.
“I wish to thank everyone who visited the winery and supported us,” she said. “They are the ones who allowed us to live this dream.”

Media Contact:
Wendy Furrow-Scott
Winemaker & Co-Owner
Hickory Hill Vineyards
thefurrows@smlwine.com | (540) 296-1393