Urban wineries are exciting places. The idea of a production facility that also serves as an incubator for new brands—and a tasting room where you can actually see winemaking in action—appeals deeply to the wine nerd in me.

Common Wealth Crush has truly set the bar for what this model can look like.

Getting to Know CWC

We’ve known Kylie for some time, before her time at Ethos when she was an incredible bartender at Près de Près in Gordonsville. She hosted a very fun tasting for us a little over a year ago, and when she moved to be the Tasting Room Supervisor at CWC, I knew we’d take Out and About there.

I first saw this facility when I met up with Jake here, before he moved to Eastwood and helped launch the Wine Collective. Both CWC and the Collective serve as incubators for up-and-coming winemakers, but they have some differences.

Where the Collective leans more toward Vinifera and Bordeaux-style wines, CWC experiments boldly—embracing hybrids, low-intervention techniques, and mentoring new winemakers through every step of the process. A big part of their mission is to elevate underrepresented voices in Virginia wine, and that shows. They see themselves as bringing forward and supporting the next generation of winemakers, and they intend for it to be diverse and vibrant.

Co-Fermenting vs. Blending

One of the things that really sets CWC apart is their love of co-fermentation. I learned quite a bit about it that I didn’t understand prior to this visit.

Most wineries create blends after fermentation—once the wines have aged and their personalities are clear. CWC often ferments multiple grape varieties together, allowing the yeast to interact with all those different juices from the start.

It’s a little like seasoning a steak before grilling versus after—the flavors integrate differently when they come together early. And the results are some of the most distinctive, surprising wines in Virginia.

Here’s how ChatGPT shows it:

Aspect	Co-Fermentation	Blending
When	Before fermentation	After fermentation
Goal	Integration, synergy	Balance, precision
Control	Low (one-shot)	High (adjustable)
Risk	Higher	Lower
Texture	Seamless, unified	Layered, complex

If you like:

• Romance and risk → co-fermenting gives a unique, “born together” character.
• Craft and control → blending gives you finesse and repeatability.

It’s an exciting time here, with places like CWC redefining what Virginia wine can be.

The Tasting Lineup

I arrived a bit early for the event. Kylie and her team greeted me with their trademark energy, and—because I trust her palate completely—I asked her to pick something interesting to start with.

Here’s what I tasted:

Love Echo Pet Nat

Made from Concord and Niagara grapes. I expected it to be sweet, but it was surprisingly restrained—fun, fresh, and only slightly “welchy.” Just a hint of bubbles, making it a perfect party-starter.

Midland Riesling

This one caught my eye on the chalkboard. Made partly with skin contact, it had great texture, just enough grip, and refreshing acidity. A standout for sure.

Mise

Dave ordered this official orange wine—a Petit Manseng blend with tons of texture and character. I liked it a lot.

Dos Idiots & Los Idiots (Side-by-Side)

These two co-ferments were so much fun to taste together.

• Dos Idiots (Cab Franc + Petit Manseng): earthy, grippy, and my favorite of the two—I took a bottle home.
• Los Idiots (Blaufränkisch + Riesling): brighter, more refined, but just as intriguing.

Midland Cabernet Franc

A lighter, younger take on a Virginia classic—less earth, more freshness. A great afternoon conversation wine.

Lightwell Survey “Electric Juice Box”

The name says it all. A lively rosé co-ferment that wrapped up the tasting perfectly.

Behind the Scenes

Once the crowd reached critical mass, we headed into the production area—past tanks, barrels, and rows of aging bottles. Kylie led us through the space (and even out into the hallway where the old Virginia Metalcrafters building is being reborn into a cool mix of retail and activity).

Waynesboro is getting pretty hip—CWC sits next to a craft soda shop and a local brewery that was packed by mid-afternoon.

We even got to taste some samples from the 2025 harvest, and it’s safe to say there’s a lot to look forward to. One highlight was the Sauvignon Kretos – which is in barrel and being considered for an upcoming “Party Kiwi” release, or maybe some variant of that – this hybrid brings Sauvignon Blanc to mind, with maybe a little less lemon zest and zing to it than I normally associate with Sauvignon Blanc.

Wrapping Up

As the day wore on, the space filled up and the vibe got even better. Common Wealth Crush is one of those places that makes you want to linger—talk wine, swap stories, and soak it all in.

If you haven’t been, go. Join one of their tastings or tours, or reach out through their website to plan your visit.

I’m really looking forward to seeing what Kylie, the CWC team, and their partner winemakers dream up next. The future of Virginia wine is in good hands—and it’s only getting more exciting from here.