Our Family
People, Passion, & A Sense of Place
These three unique ingredients, strengthened by hard work and bolstered by perseverance,
define what we are all about here at Casanel Vineyards & Winery.
People
On a cold, clear November day in 2006, our owners, Casey and Nelson DeSouza, left their mark: two signatures penned along the dotted lines, laying claim to the ownership of what was now their very own little slice of heaven. Casanel Farm was born, and little did they know what an awesome, monumental undertaking lay ahead of them.
Casanel was a homestead, a place Casey, Nelson, and their family could call their own, and a place where they could build something beautiful that celebrated the history of land ownership and having your own business.
Through the growth and journey of this business, we have encountered so many people — from our hard-working tasting room staff, to our loyal club, to the vineyard crews, and all the vendors in between that have helped develop what Casanel is. Without these people and their passion and their love for us, Casanel does not exist. They are a part of our unique experience as they act as cheerleaders and ambassadors of our brand to create a unique Virginia wine experience.
Passion
We started right away, hand-planting over 10,000 vines on eight acres in three separate vineyards on the property. We chose varieties that defined regions (Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon), and varieties that we hoped would define us as a Virginia farm winery (Carménère, Petit Verdot, and Norton).
We set to work on renovating and restoring the historical buildings on our property: choosing to reuse the wood and stone of our land, combining old world with the new, as well as paying homage to those who came before us.
While our vines were growing, we chose to source quality fruit from our neighbors in Loudoun County, and to produce wines that would highlight the uniqueness of our region here in Northern Virginia. However, our main goal, what we strove for years to achieve, was to be fully Estate, in that we would grow our own grapes and produce our own wine right here on our home site — a unique experience where we are involved from bud to bottle.
We are proud to say that within three years, our dream was realized. Our Estate fruit has been recognized as superior, and our hand-crafted wines have won international acclaim.
A Sense Of Place
Our first Estate harvest was hand-picked by our family in September of 2010. We grew and expanded in the tasting room, and became a part of the rapidly growing wine country of Loudoun County.
Our first Estate crush began in the Fall of 2014, which led to our first Estate hand-bottling in the following Spring of 2015. We re-branded Casanel Vineyards as Casanel Vineyards and Winery in June of 2015. After many years, the fruits of our labor were showcased in every bottle. We continue to strive as close to estate grown and bottled as possible and to preserve the beauty of our property located here in Loudoun County. Come enjoy the serenity and peace it offers.
We have the people, the passion, and the sense of place to give us the motivation to keep going, to keep experimenting and creating, and to prove that Virginia deserves a seat at the international wine table.
We cannot wait to share our story with you.
Sincerely,
The Casanel Family
