8 Chains North Winery

What 8 Chains North Winery does

8 Chains North Winery is a privately-held Virginia farm winery located in Waterford (Loudoun County), Virginia, approximately one hour from Washington DC. The company operates ~16.5 acres of owned and leased vineyards across the Middleburg, Purcellville, and Waterford AVAs (Serendipity, Daymont Lane, Tranquility, and Spring House Vineyards) and produces 1,800-3,000 cases of wine annually across 10-18 varietals and blends, including estate-grown reds, whites, rosés, and the Charmat-method Peacock Farm Sparkling Rosé. A separate 8 Chains North West sub-brand incorporates up to 25% Washington State fruit (Yakima Valley, Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley AVAs). The winery opened a tasting room in a renovated barn in August 2010 and was acquired by current owners Edz Sturans and Cissi DeMarco in August 2021 from founder Ben Renshaw, who continues as Winegrower.

The company operates a multi-revenue DTC model: on-premise wine and craft beer sales through the tasting room, e-commerce shipments to 41 states via Vinoshipper and UPS, a free wine club (Pick-Up Club at ~$75-$85/quarter; Ship-To Club at ~$150-$170/semi-annual) managed through OrderPort, and a sizable events business including weddings (20-130 guests, multiple packages), corporate daytime events ($300-$500 base), private parties, vineyard picnics ($150-$225), and recurring community events (trivia nights, live music, Paint Your Pet). An on-site microbrewery (Best Little Brewhouse in LoCo) launched in 2023 adds three craft beers (Laima Lager, Māra West Coast IPA, Mēness English-Style Ale). The operation is supported by preferred vendor networks for weddings, a dog-friendly policy with an off-leash park, and a marketing stack built on Constant Contact, Facebook, and Instagram.

Wine quality has been validated through multiple Virginia Governor's Cup medals (including 2024 Gold for 2022 Albariño), IWSC Sommelier Challenge recognition (2023 Platinum/94 points for 2022 Sauvignon Blanc), and Loudoun Wine Awards, while the wedding venue is recognized by Virginia Living Magazine and WeddingWire. The business is unleveraged and privately financed by its owners, with no institutional capital, no disclosed revenue, and no AI capabilities evident in the operating stack.

Name

8 Chains North Winery

Legal name

8 Chains North

Website

https://8chainsnorth.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

8 Chains North Winery is a privately-held Virginia farm winery in Loudoun County producing 1,800-3,000 cases of estate and Washington State-sourced wines annually, serving wine club members, tasting room visitors, wedding couples, and corporate event clients through an integrated DTC, venue, and on-site brewery model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Farm Winery & Vineyard

NAICS

Wineries (312130), Grape Vineyards (111332), Breweries (31212), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine Production & Winemaking (AFAFAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE), Alcoholic Beverage Tours & On-site Experiences (Brewery/Winery/Distillery) (THAFALAK), Alcohol Subscription & Wine Clubs (Retail) (CRANABAF), Producer-Owned Retail & Bottle Shops (On-site) (THAFALAL), Packaging & Production Breweries (Limited/No On-site Service) (THAFALAB), Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD)

Keywords

• Virginia wine production
• Wine tasting experiences
• Wedding venue hosting
• Craft brewery operations
• Wine club membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Waterford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Wine Sales (On-Premise): Direct wine sales by glass and bottle in tasting room. Includes regular tastings ($18), self-guided flights ($20), and elevated tastings ($45). Premium pricing with wine club member discounts.
2. E-commerce Wine Shipping: Online wine store shipping to 41 states. Volume discounts: 6-10% off for 3+ bottles, 10% off for 6-11 bottles, 15% off for 12+ bottles. Wine club members receive 20% discount.
3. Wine Club Memberships: Free membership with quarterly wine allotments (Pick-Up Club ~$75-85 per quarter, Ship-To Club semi-annual ~$150-170). Members receive 20% discount, complimentary tastings, library wine access, exclusive blending parties, and 10% off event rentals.
4. Wedding and Private Event Venue Rental: Wedding packages for 20-130 guests including Grand Cru Reserve (full winery), Grand Cru, Furnace Mountain, and LoCo Vino elopement packages. Additional revenue from wine minimums (1 case per 25 guests at 15% discount, wine club members 20% off).
5. Corporate and Private Event Hosting: Daytime corporate events up to 80 guests (Compass Rose Room starting $500, Vine Room starting $300). Optional add-ons: lunch ($30pp), wine tastings ($20pp), elevated tastings ($45pp). Security deposits $150-750.
6. Beer Sales: Craft beers served in tasting room: pints $8, 4-packs $20 for carryout. Laima Lager, Māra West Coast IPA, and Mēness English-Style Ale on draft.
7. Food and Beverage Add-ons: Charcuterie boards ($34), bruschetta boards ($16), personal pizzas ($11-15), Latvian piragi ($9), Nordic knot pretzels ($9), chocolate pairings ($8), vineyard picnics ($150-225).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

8 Chains North Winery is a Virginia farm winery in Loudoun County producing 1,800-3,000 cases of handcrafted estate-grown wines annually across 10-18 varietals and blends. The operation includes an on-site tasting room with guided and self-guided tasting experiences, a small craft brewery (Best Little Brewhouse in LoCo), wine club memberships, vineyard picnics, food service, and full wedding and private event venue hosting. Production spans approximately 16.5 acres of vineyards across Loudoun County supplemented by Washington State fruit under the 8 Chains North West label, with hand-harvested grapes, stainless steel fermentation for whites and rosés, minimum 22-month oak barrel aging for reds, and Charmat-method sparkling wine production.

Product overview

8 Chains North Winery is a Virginia farm winery in Loudoun County producing 1,800-3,000 cases annually of 10-18 different wine varietals and blends. The operation includes a core wine program with estate-grown grapes from the Serendipity, Daymont Lane, Tranquility, and Spring House vineyards (~16.5 acres under vine), supplemented by Washington State grapes under the 8 Chains North West label. The winery offers wine tasting experiences, an on-site brewery (Best Little Brewhouse in LoCo), food service, vineyard picnics, wine club membership, private event rentals, and wedding venue packages. Production occurs on-site at the Waterford crush pad with stainless steel tanks and French/American oak barrel aging.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 8 Chains North West: A separate brand for wines created with imported grapes from Washington State (Colombia Valley, Yakima, and Horse Heaven Hills AVAs). These wines are bottled separately from the Virginia estate wines.

Products and services

• Red Wines Estate-grown and sourced red wines including Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, GSM blend, Mourvèdre, and various red blends produced from Loudoun County AVA and Washington State grapes and aged a minimum of 22 months in French and American oak barrels.
• White Wines White wines including Albariño, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, and LoCo Vino white blend produced primarily through stainless steel fermentation.
• Rosé & Sparkling Wines Chambourcin-based rosé wines including Pink Link Rosé in multiple vintages and the Peacock Farm Sparkling Rosé produced via Charmat pressure tank method.
• 8 Chains North West Label Separate wine brand utilizing Washington State grapes (Yakima Valley, Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley AVAs), including Mourvèdre, Tempranillo Reserve, and specialty blends bottled separately from the Virginia estate wines.
• Wine Tasting Experiences Guided and self-guided wine tasting options including the $18 In-person Tasting (six pre-selected wines led by staff), $20 Self-guided Flight (four 2 oz. pours), and $45 Elevated Tasting (regular tasting plus vineyard/production tour, custom charcuterie board, and exclusive barrel tasting, 4-guest minimum). Bon Bon Chocolate Pairing available for $8 add-on.
• Best Little Brewhouse in LoCo (Beer) On-site microbrewery producing handcrafted beers including Laima Lager (ABV 4.7%), Māra West Coast IPA (ABV 7.4%), and Mēness English-Style Ale (ABV 5.6%), named after Latvian pagan deities. Available by the pint ($8) or 4-pack ($20 carryout only).
• Food Menu Lite fare menu including charcuterie boards ($34 serves 2-4), bruschetta boards ($16), Latvian Piragi ($9), personal pizzas ($11-15), and Nordic Knot Pretzels ($9), available Friday-Sunday and Wednesday evenings during trivia.
• Vineyard Picnics Private vineyard picnics for 2-4 adults lasting two hours in the vineyard, including a bottle of favorite 8CN wine along with an assortment of meats, cheeses, crackers, and accoutrements. $150 for 2 adults, $225 for 4 adults.
• Wine Club Membership Free membership with Pick-Up Club (quarterly wine allotments ~$75-85 per quarter) and Ship-To Club (semi-annual shipments ~$150-170 for 6 bottles). Members receive 20% discount on wine, complimentary tastings, library wine access, exclusive blending parties, member events, and 10% off event rentals.
• Private Event Spaces Rental of private and semi-private spaces including Compass Rose Room (up to 80 guests, starting $500), Vine Room (up to 40 guests, starting $300), Vineyard View Deck, Covered Patio, and full winery buyouts for corporate events, parties, and gatherings, with optional lunch ($30pp), wine tastings ($20pp), and elevated tastings ($45pp) add-ons.
• Wedding Venue Packages Vineyard wedding packages including Grand Cru Reserve (full day, full winery), Grand Cru, Furnace Mountain (full winery), and LoCo Vino (vineyard elopement), accommodating 20-130 guests with wine minimums (1 case per 25 guests at 15% discount, wine club members 20% off). Non-Saturday 10% discount, wine club member 10% discount, military 5% discount available.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple Virginia Governor's Cup medals including Gold for 2022 Albariño
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Endhardt VineyardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriends and neighbors who helped with 2022 harvest operations. The Endhardt Vineyards team (Sarah and Hannes Endhardt) participated in custom crush operations and were described as a fun part of the harvest process. Located just a few miles away.
• Yakima Valley Growers (Washington State)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term relationship with fruit growers in Colombia Valley region including Yakima and Horse Heaven Hills AVAs. Provides whole fruit imports (25% allowance for non-Virginia grapes) under 8 Chains North West brand. Refrigerated truck delivery in as little as 30 hours.
• UPScoreTechnology or IntegrationShipping partner for direct-to-consumer wine shipments to 41 states. Provides temperature monitoring and weather-related shipping recommendations.
• Pour House TriviaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest pub trivia company in Washington D.C. metro area provides weekly Wednesday trivia night hosting at the winery. Free to participate for customers.
• The ConcheminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chocolatier that handcrafts artisan Bon Bon chocolates for wine pairing experiences. Bon Bon Chocolate Pairing available for $8 addition to tastings.
• Al and Mary TaylorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwners of Tranquility Vineyard in Purcellville, VA (off Tranquility Road). 8 Chains North leases approximately 6 acres where they grow Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat, with new Chardonnay plantings.
• Frank and Carol LazarusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwners of Spring House Vineyard in Waterford. 8 Chains North leases approximately 1 acre of Chambourcin grapes that are grown and tended to by Frank Lazarus.
• Preferred Caterers NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExtensive list of preferred caterers and vendors familiar with the venue who ensure smooth event execution. Couples must hire a Day-of Coordinator from this network.
• Local Musicians (Various)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRotating lineup of local musicians including Rook Richards, Travis Tucker, Grayson Moon, Patty Reese, Joe Downer, Dan Gallagher, Ryan Sill, Karen Jonas, Lindsay Austin, Zach Jones, Scott Kurt, David Thong performing weekend live music.
• Clover Hill EventsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred event design partner for weddings. Featured in multiple real wedding galleries with floral arrangements and event coordination.
• Loudoun County FarmsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred flower vendor providing wedding floral arrangements. Featured in multiple wedding galleries.
• Virginia ABCminorOthersVirginia Alcoholic Beverage Control authority. For private events wanting beer or mixed spirits, couples must purchase a one-day banquet license through Virginia ABC.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tarara Winery: Loudoun County winery with estate vineyards, tasting room, and private event hosting. Directly comparable in geography, vineyard size, and tasting-room-led DTC model.
• Early Mountain Vineyards: Madison County, VA winery with tasting room, wine club, and weddings. Comparable as a Virginia boutique winery with award recognition and event venue focus.
• King Family Vineyards: Crozet, VA winery offering tastings, wine club, and polo/event programming. Comparable as a Virginia farm winery with diversified experiential revenue streams.
• Stone Tower Winery: Loudoun County winery with estate vineyards, a tasting room, and a major event/wedding venue. Closest direct comparable in geography, production scale, and event-driven revenue model.
• Breaux Vineyards: Loudoun County estate winery with tasting room, on-site events, and live music programming. Comparable as a Loudoun farm winery combining wine, hospitality, and private events.
• Sunset Hills Vineyard: Purcellville, VA winery with on-site tasting room, wine club, and event programming. Comparable as a Loudoun County craft winery with wine club and DTC focus.
• Chrysalis Vineyards: Middleburg, VA estate winery with tasting room and on-site bistro. Comparable as a Loudoun-area Virginia winery combining wine, food, and hospitality.
• Doukenie Winery: Loudoun County estate winery with tasting flights and group events. Closely comparable in Virginia wine tourism, tastings, and on-premise sales.
• Hillsborough Vineyards: Purcellville, VA small-batch Loudoun County winery with tasting room and limited events. Comparable as a small Virginia craft winery with on-premise DTC.

Broad incumbents

• Williamsburg Winery: Larger Virginia winery with tasting rooms, wine club, weddings, and on-site lodging. Comparable business model (wine + weddings + DTC) but at materially larger scale, serving as a broader benchmark.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/8chainsnorth
• Instagraminstagram.com/8chainsnorth
• Xx.com/8chainsnorth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/8-chains-north-winery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 8 Chains North Winery