Virginia has granted temporary waivers to 169 wineries and vineyards whose crops were badly damaged by frost and freeze this spring, allowing them to source a higher share of grapes from vineyards they do not own or lease so they can keep producing while their own vines recover.

Farm wineries in the state normally face limits on how much out-of-state fruit, and how much fruit from vineyards they do not own or lease, they may use. This spring's losses were severe enough that Governor Abigail Spanberger asked the US Department of Agriculture for a natural disaster declaration, which was granted for 104 Virginia localities hit by frost and freeze events between 17 March and 4 May 2026.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) then filed a joint fruit-loss exemption request with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) on behalf of farm winery licensees in the designated areas. The waiver lets Class I to IV licensees bring in more out-of-state product than their licence class allows, and lets Class I, II and IV licensees use a smaller share of fruit grown on their own premises or elsewhere in Virginia.

"This waiver offers essential relief to Virginia winemakers recovering from devastating freeze losses," said AJ Greely, president of the Virginia Vineyards Association. Jennifer Breaux, president of the Virginia Wineries Association, said the frost created challenges that will extend well beyond this year's harvest.

Virginia ABC will contact every winery that received a waiver with guidance. Operations that may qualify but have not applied can find guidance through the Virginia Vineyards Association or the VDACS commissioner's office, and the list of localities with USDA disaster designations is on the VDACS disaster recovery resources page for farmers.

Photo: Jan Kronsell / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)

Source: Morning Ag Clips