Nestled in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains is the family-owned Veritas Vineyard and Winery. While passing by that stretch of Afton Mountain Road, (Route 6), outside of Charlottesville last weekend, I stopped to take some pictures.

I’m far from being a wine connoisseur and I’m even less of a consumer. However, I’m intrigued by the art and science (and hard work!) of making good wine. Besides that, the striking nature of a vineyard is hard to miss. Veritas Vineyard & Winery is no exception when it comes to quality and beauty—they have received many awards and accolades since their inception in 2002.

Veritas Vineyard & Winery in Afton, Virginia, complete with a Blue Ridge Mountain backdrop.

In Latin, “veritas” means “truth.” The vineyard’s name harkens to the words of Pliny the Elder, a first century Roman author and philosopher of nature: “in vino veritas.” Translated, this means “in wine there is truth.”

In the foreground here is a unique metal sculpture situated on a rise not far from the Tasting Room. — Veritas Vineyard & Winery; Afton, VA

The grapes grown at Veritas Vineyard are primarily vitis vinifera, a grape common to Europe and Asia. An American-French hybrid is grown to a lesser degree as well. —  Afton, Virginia

At Veritas, overnight guests can stay at The Farmhouse B&B. This lovely 1800s homestead offers six guest rooms and an adjacent 2-bedroom cottage. — Afton, VA

Sheep craze in the pasture beside the barn-turned-cottage. — Veritas Vineyard & Winery; Afton, VA

I could have spent all afternoon in The Farmhouse Garden, which sits at the back of the house facing rows and rows of grapevines and the Blue Ridge in the distance.

A pretty pollinator on a coneflower in The Farmhouse Garden. –Vertias Vineyard & Winery; Afton, VA

…And still more coneflowers. — Veritas Vineyard & Winery; Afton, VA

The science and production of grapes is referred to as viticulture. Turning the subsequent grape juice into wine is known as vinification. Veritas Vineyard uses the classic principles of the two when creating their wines. –Afton, VA

The fruit of Veritas Vineyard’s labor can be enjoyed responsibly in the architecturally pleasing Tasting Room. — Afton, VA

Looking out over Veritas and its lovely vistas, I sensed the work, time, and creative power involved from the moment the ground is prepped and the vines are planted to the final enjoyment of the wine produced, and I thought about how Jesus (God in human flesh) miraculously turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana. Concerning this miracle in relation to God’s ongoing providence over creation, C.S. Lewis wrote:

…it will have its full effect if whenever we see a vineyard or drink a glass of wine we remember that here works He who sat at the wedding party in Cana.

Year after year, by His creative power and through the stewardship of man and his labor, God is turning water into wine.

C.S. Lewis quote from God in the Dock, p. 29.