OUR TEAM
From Napa to Appalachia... Loren & Elizabeth Gardner grew up in California and discovered Abingdon Vineyards when they were helping their best friends move back to Virginia. The winery was started in 2001 by Bob Carlson and Janet Nordin, both retired engineers. In the summer 2018, the Gardner Family purchased the winery and have been working hard to grow the legacy of Abingdon Vineyards. This incredible team, along with many other friends and volunteers, work together to tend to the land, grapes, wine and our beloved guests. We love our community!
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ELIZABETH & LOREN GARDNERElizabeth, Loren, Ava Jean, Eli and Jackson are 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 this unique terroir and create world class wines with regional grape varieties. Elizabeth is a Stanford graduate, Certified Natural Chef, Master Gardener and has a Teaching Credential and Masters Degree in Education. An entrepreneur at heart, she has started and sold two businesses in California. Her passions for community building, event planning, marketing and design help make Abingdon Vineyards a distinguished brand and destination. |
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KEVIN FORRESTERKevin 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. |
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COLETTE SULLIVANLucky for us, Meghan's cousin also fell in love with Virginia and moved from California! Colette is our Tasting Room Manager and greets our guests with a smile.
She has extensive experience with her family's business back in Santa Cruz and helps keep all the crazy Gingers organized and on track! She is also the sweetest auntie to Miss Ava Jean... |