Beginnings

Our ancestors arrived in this area in 1787, when what is now our estate was included in the vast 5 million acre land grant owned by Lord Fairfax of England. In 1812, Lord Fairfax’s heirs sold what was then named Gooney Manor Leeds to James and Chief Justice John Marshall. The Marshall family sold about 8,000 acres to William Woodward in 1837, and Stephen Clifton Lawson (Jeff’s great-grandfather) purchased a small part of the Woodward tract in 1901.

Stephen and his wife, Annie Susan Beaty, were the first generation of our family to live on and farm this land. The only structure on the land at that time was a very nice log cabin. The Lawsons lived in this cabin while they built a larger home that is still used by our family today. In addition to the Manor home, the Lawsons also constructed a large German-style bank barn and numerous other outbuildings. Most of these structures are still being used today, albeit for different purposes.

This is a mountain farm, and although the Lawsons grew both wheat and corn in the lower fertile fields, much of the farm is steeply sloped. With less fertile soils, the land was first planted with apple and peach trees. It is high on these mountain slopes above where orchards once flourished that we now grow our wine. In addition to selling wheat, corn, apples, and peaches, the Lawsons sold cream, butter, and eggs. Everything else raised or grown on the farm was for the family’s personal consumption.

Passing on the Family Farm & Vineyard Establishment

The Lawsons had one child, Ruth Ardelia, who married Raymond Hodder Rudacille. They were the second generation of our family to work and live on this land. Ruth gave birth to two children in the Manor home, a son (Stuart Lawson) and a daughter (Anna Rae). Upon the deaths of Ruth and Raymond, the farm passed to their two children. Anna Rae married Alpheus Lee White, and the portion of the farm that Anna Rae inherited is where the vineyards and winery are now established. Alpheus and Anna Rae had three sons, the youngest of whom developed an interest in and an appreciation for wine.

Glen Manor is currently managed and operated by Jeff Raymond White, whose passion for winemaking and viticulture blossomed while working for a nearby Virginia winery. He established the original 6 acres of vineyards in 1995, thus envisioning what is today Glen Manor Vineyards.

Today, the estate comprises 226 acres of pastures, forests, and 18 acres of vineyards. Our farm is recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Century Farm for being owned and farmed by five generations of our family for over 121 years. As we look to the future, we welcome the next generation of our family – especially Jeff’s niece, Ashleigh Rae – to the team at Glen Manor, learning and working with the vines and wines alongside her uncle.