Our Wines

It was Sharon Roeder’s dream to grow grapes and to make wine that gave birth to Barrel Oak. Her background was in international affairs with a Master’s degree from Georgetown.  But the path sent her in a surprising direction and she realized that she wanted out of the rat race.  Once the decision was made she began interning in 2006 at the surrounding Fauquier wineries as a cellar rat, reading the literature, and taking local classes.  In 2007 she assisted with producing Barrel Oak’s first vintage and in 2008 she manged her first harvest and vintage.  In the years since she has never looked back, producing over 100 gold medal wines and living her dream to the fullest.

Shai started with us in August 2016 and has proven to be a great fit for the BOW team. His passion for scientific experimentation has lead to Barrel Oak being a pioneer of modern technologies including being the first Virginia winery to implement AgroThermal technology. He also utilizes organic and sustainable practices in vineyard management (including oyster shells recycled from BOW’s own vendor!) to increase the quality of the estate fruit. In his relentless pursuit of wine growing excellence, each year our wines enter national and international competitions, continuing to build on the name BOW has created for itself as a producer of award winning wines. During your visits to BOW, you may see Shai driving a tractor, working in the cellar, talking to guests at the tasting bar, or walking his dogs, Zombi and Cooper, around the vineyard.

In his spare time, Shai enjoys participating in fundraising/charity motorcycle rides, taking trips around the United States, visiting family abroad, exploring Virginia scenery, recreational shooting sports, camping, turkey hunting, bass fishing, reading the latest ASEV scholarly article, researching “the next experiment”, cheering on the San Jose Sharks (and sometimes the Caps), and spending time with his wife Ashley and their fur babies.