OUR TEAM

Abingdon Vineyards was started in 2001 by Bob Carlson and Janet Nordin, as their retirement project. In 2018, the Gardner Family stumbled upon the beautiful gem and moved from California to Virginia to grow the legacy of Abingdon Vineyards. It's a family affair - these families, along with many friends and volunteers, work together to tend to the land, grapes, wine and our guests. 

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ELIZABETH & LOREN GARDNER

Elizabeth, Loren, Ava Jean, Eli and Jackson are also known as the "Country Gingers." They discovered Abingdon Vineyards when helping their best friends move from California back to Virginia. They fell in love with the beautiful land, delicious wine and gracious community. 

Loren grew up in Napa Valley and has always been fascinated with the wine industry. He studied viticulture and wine making at UC Davis and built many wineries and vineyards with his construction company. He is excited to learn about a new terroir and create world class wines with regional varieties of grapes.

Elizabeth is passionate about food, art, nature and education. She is a Stanford graduate, Master Gardener, Certified Natural Chef and has a Masters in Education.
In 2012, she started a business in Point Reyes, California: foodandfarmtours.com. She is looking forward to hosting events and bringing delicious artisan products to the winery.

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TERESA & KEVIN SUTHERLAND

Kevin has been the Vineyard Manager and Cellar Master at Abingdon Vineyards since 2005. His close attention to the grapes and wine making are the reasons for our success. 

Teresa is our office manager and helps keep things humming. She is informally know as "The Ginger Wrangler" around here!

Teresa and Kevin met at the Abingdon Farmer's Market at the Abingdon Vineyards wine booth and now live right next door to the winery! Their dog, Chester, vigilantly guards the vines.

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MEGHAN SULLIVAN & KEVIN FORRESTER

Kevin and Meghan are the "best friends" mentioned above and the reason the Gardners moved to Abingdon! Kevin grew up in Damascus, just a few miles from the winery. Meghan took a 4 month nurse fellowship in the area and loved it so much, she bought at house and stayed for 5 years!

​After Kevin and Meghan had their son, Ethan Boone, they moved to Point Reyes, California, to be closer to Meghan's family. It was there they met Loren and Elizabeth and became "chosen family."

Kevin works full time at Abingdon Vineyards and wears many hats - you will see him at the tasting room, delivering wine to restaurants and helping with harvest and wine making.

Meghan and Ethan are the "fort holders," making sure the ginger crew is happy and healthy as they work long hours!