8 Chains North Winery

Owned by Cissi and Edz Sturans, 8 Chains North follows a vineyard-first approach where the vast majority of a wine’s quality, character and style is determined by how the grapes are grown rather than interventions in the winery. Cissi and Edz craft the wines themselves under the continued consultation of former owner and award-winning winemaker Ben Renshaw.

Loudoun County, VA Loudoun grown Trade available

8 Chains North Winery — vineyard view with wine glasses on a patio table

The story

The Furnace Mountain blend

Edz and Cissi Sturans took ownership of 8 Chains North in 2021 from former owner Ben Renshaw, a respected Loudoun viticulturist who continues to consult on the program. They have carried the estate forward with a deeper investment in estate fruit and a more disciplined Bordeaux-leaning style.

A vineyard-first approach

8 Chains North embraces a vineyard-first approach where the vast majority of a wine’s quality, character and style is determined by how the grapes are grown, rather than interventions in the winery. The estate spans roughly 19 acres of vineyard, anchored by Zoe’s Vineyard in Waterford and the Tranquility site, with a new four-acre block added in 2024. Plantings emphasize Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Tannat, alongside Sauvignon Blanc and Albariño. A small Méthode Charmat sparkling rosé and blanc round out the portfolio, inspired by Cissi’s love of Prosecco and bottled by hand in small batches.

Recognition

The house Albariño and Sauvignon Blanc have collected multiple Gold medals at the Virginia Governor’s Cup, with both wines earning 89 points from James Suckling. The Charmat sparkling rounds out a small portfolio that punches well above its size.

The team

Owners & winemaker

Owners

Cissi and Edz Sturans

In 2021, Cissi and Edz Sturans came into this venture with little vineyard or winemaking knowledge. Under the tutelage, and continued consultations of previous owner Ben Renshaw, they have embraced the day-to-day of the vineyard, the seasonal work of the crush pad, and the ongoing detail of fermentations, aging, blending and bottling.

Winemaker & vineyard consultant

Ben Renshaw

Ben Renshaw has more than 20 years of award-winning winemaking experience in Loudoun County, Virginia, both for other wineries and for 8 Chains North for the last 10 years. He serves as lead winemaker and vineyard consultant.

From the cellar