Hillsborough Vineyards

The Baki family purchased their 36-acre property west of Hillsboro in 2001; Kerem Baki, a Virginia Tech enology graduate, makes the wines from 14 acres of estate vineyards.

Loudoun County, VA Loudoun grown Trade available

The story

Tannat on rocky soils

The Baki family arrived in Loudoun in 2001 and built Hillsborough Vineyards into one of the county’s most distinctive estates: a 36-acre property west of Hillsboro. Bora Baki, the family patriarch, co-planted the vineyard with his son Kerem in 2003. Kerem Baki, a Virginia Tech enology grad, makes the wine. Tolga Baki runs the business side and serves as head brewer for the property’s on-site brewery, Asli Baki manages hospitality, and matriarch Zeynep “Momma Baki” anchors the family table.

Vineyards & varieties

Fourteen acres of estate vines include Tannat, Fer Servadou, Petit Verdot, Petit Manseng, Roussanne, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. It’s an ambitious mix that leans into Loudoun’s ability to ripen unusual varieties.

Recognition

The 2023 Ruby Nights 20th Anniversary Reserve took Gold at the 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup, and the 2021 Bloodstone earned Silver at the same competition, adding to earlier Gold medals at the 2021 Virginia Governor’s Cup for both Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Onyx 2019 and Ruby 2021 have won Best Red Vinifera in Loudoun, the 2022 Opal Petit Manseng took Best Petit Manseng, and multiple wines have scored 89 points from James Suckling. The estate is also a Decanter Magazine favorite, recognized in their tasting reviews, alongside U.S. coverage in The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, Washingtonian, Fox 5 DC, and numerous national and regional outlets.

The team

The Baki family

Winemaker

Kerem Baki

Winemaker and owner. Kerem has been making wine at the family-owned estate in Hillsboro since its early days, learning the craft through the Enology Graduate program at Virginia Tech.

Head brewer

Tolga Baki

Head brewer and business lead. Tolga oversees the brewery operations on the Hillsborough property, in addition to running the business side of the family estate.

From the cellar