From German Settlement Roots to Award-Winning Wines at Hiddencroft Vineyards
Tucked away among the rolling farmland of Loudoun County lies a property steeped in history, nourished by tradition, and brimming with rustic charm. This land has been witness to over 150 years of family legacy, agricultural perseverance, and now—award-winning wine.
Since 2001, our property has been home to Hiddencroft Vineyards, a true Virginia Farm Winery where nearly all of the wine is produced from estate-grown grapes. But long before grapevines took root, this was the home of the Compher family. They were some of the original settlers of what was once known as “The German Settlement,” and now the town of Lovettsville, VA.
A Farm Through the Centuries
The Compher family owned and worked this land from 1868 until 1968, shaping the landscape and living through cycles of war, recovery, and modernization. Their imprint can still be seen in the preserved 19th-century outbuildings (log structures), and the bank barn built in 1929. These historic features give our visitors a tangible connection to Loudoun County’s rural past.
- Meat Curing House (aka Smokehouse) & Summer Kitchen (circa 1845–1855): Once used for meat curing and open-hearth cooking.
- Springhouse & Footpath: A functioning spring still flows through the stone-lined channel behind the tasting room, accessible by a rustic footbridge over Dutchman’s Creek.
- Bank Barn: Constructed with massive timbers and filled with light from batten-strip walls, the barn is now used for large winery events such as barrel, library or release tastings.
These buildings are more than remnants of the past—they are living parts of the Hiddencroft experience.
From Farmland to Vineyard
The transformation of the former Compher property into Hiddencroft Vineyards began in 2001, when the first vines were planted. Since then, the vineyard has matured into a tranquil oasis producing red, white, rosé, and port-style wines that reflect the character of Virginia’s unique terroir.
What Sets Us Apart:
- 98% Estate-Grown: Nearly all wines are produced from grapes grown right on this historic farm. We source 2% of our grapes from other Loudoun County vineyards.
- Cellared & Bottled On-Site: From vine to bottle, every step of winemaking happens here.
- A Sense of Place: Each glass captures the soil, sun, and stories of this land.
Whether you’re sipping a robust Chambourcin aged 7 ½ years in oak, or enjoying a fruit-forward Rosé on the patio, you’re tasting the fruits of a vineyard rooted in history.
The Heart of the Experience: The Mid-1800’s Farmhouse
In 2011, Hiddencroft’s tasting room moved into the restored Compher farmhouse. Believed to be constructed by the Compher family themselves between 1868 and 1874, the house now welcomes guests with its cozy rooms, antique ambiance, and expansive views of the vineyard, backyard and Dutchman’s Creek.
Inside, two tasting bars and upstairs seating in three vintage rooms offer plenty of space to enjoy wine and conversation. Outside, a deck, stone patio, and massive fire pit provide seasonal gathering spots surrounded by pollinator gardens. The flower beds have become a haven for butterflies—earning the farm a designation as a Certified Monarch Waystation.
Nature, History, and Community
Hiddencroft is more than a winery. It’s a living ecosystem and community gathering space. From buzzards nesting in the barn to foxes raising families under the smokehouse, the farm is alive with stories of both wildlife and wine.
Hiddencroft’s event calendar includes:
- Library and Barrel Tastings
- Harvest Celebrations
- Wine Dinners
- Historical Lectures
- Animal Welfare Fundraisers
No matter the season, there’s something meaningful happening on the farm.
A Place Worth Discovering
We like to say Hiddencroft is “Rustic Charm & Regal Wine… in a relaxing, rural setting.” If you’re looking for a winery that’s off the beaten path, rooted in authenticity, and committed to its land and history, you’ll find it here.
Whether you’re a wine lover, history buff, nature enthusiast, or all of the above, we invite you to experience the Compher Farm as it lives today—restored, reimagined, and ready to share its next chapter with you.
Plan Your Visit
- Open Year-Round
- Indoor and Outdoor Seating
- Events Calendar: Check Here
- Location
- Shop Wine: Online Store Link
© 2025 Terry Housel. All rights reserved.
This work may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the author, except for brief quotations in reviews or scholarly works.
