One of the early leaders of the VA Wine Industry who believed that good wine, great wine, could be made in VA, has returned to the state as winemaker at Chrysalis Vineyards. Alan Kinne served as a consultant for many of the state’s wineries from the late 80s to the late 90s. Then he took the circuitous route and traveled to see what other states were doing in the wine industry. After years in California and Oregon, he is back to the state where he started it all in 1979 when there were just 6 wineries!

In many respects his is a return to Chrysalis as he helped owner Jenni McCloud manage the vineyards the first year of operation, in 1998. Kinne’s wife, Kelda, will become the hospitality director and head the winery’s popular wine club. A great two-fer for Chrysalis as the Kinne team brings their broad industry experience back to the state.

Stay tuned. This is an exciting development obviously for Chrysalis and also for the state’s wine industry.