Overview: Join us for an immersive two-day exploration of the world of viticulture, from the natural history of grapes to modern winemaking in the Virginia Piedmont. This intimate program brings together Oak Spring’s botanical and horticultural expertise with the craft and innovation of Lost Mountain Vineyards, one of the region’s most celebrated wineries.
Participants will begin their experience with a welcome lecture from OSGF President Peter Crane, followed by a guided wine tasting and dinner pairing led by our Chef Jason Neve. Over the course of the program, you will delve into the remarkable story of grapes through lectures by Peter Crane and viticulture specialist Tremain Hatch, explore rare and historic materials from the Oak Spring Garden Library, and walk through the Formal Gardens, Glasshouse, and Biocultural Conservation Farm with members of our horticultural team.
A highlight of the course is a private tour and tasting at Lost Mountain, led by winemaker Josh Grainer, offering an up-close look at terroir-driven winemaking and the thoughtful practices shaping Virginia’s evolving wine landscape. Back at Oak Spring, evenings feature curated wine pairings with delicious food that will deepen the experience.
Instructors:
Tremain Hatch has been the viticulture research and extension associate at Virginia Tech since 2010 where he generates and delivers innovative research to Virginia grape growers. He is responsible for developing programs and outreach for new and experienced grape farmers in Virginia’s growing wine industry. His current research focuses on vineyard cost flow projections, evaluation of protective culture in vineyards, and vineyard fertilizer programs.
Tremain completed vineyard and winery practicums in Italy (2006), New Zealand (2009) and Virginia (2007 & 2010), received his MSc in Horticulture at Virginia Tech (2010), and completed his MBA at Shenandoah University (2017). He is a third generation farmer and has helped transition the family farm in Loudoun County from dairy production to direct-to-consumer sales of pastured beef/lamb, and wine, as Zephaniah Farm Vineyard.
Sir Peter Crane, FRS is the President of Oak Spring Garden Foundation, and he has held this role since the foundation came into fruition in 2016. He is known internationally for his work on the diversity of plant life—its origin, fossil history, current status, conservation, and use.
Peter Crane was elected to the Royal Society (the U.K. academy of sciences) in 1998 and was knighted in the U.K. for services to horticulture and conservation in 2004. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Foreign Associate of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, a Foreign Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and a Member of the German Academy Leopoldina. He is the recipient of several honorary degrees from universities in the U.S. and U.K., including an honorary doctorate of science from each of the following institutions: the University of Connecticut and Sewanee: The University of the South, both in the U.S., and Cambridge University in the U.K. He received the International Prize for Biology in December 2014.
Josh Grainer is Joshua is the managing director and winemaker for Lost Mountain Vineyards. A native Virginian, Joshua discovered his love of wine in his early twenties while traveling through Italy. He went on to develop his craft in the US, France, and Australia before returning to his home state to help pioneer the next generation of great American wines. He has been with Lost Mountain Vineyards since its inception and on any given day, he can be found in the vineyard, cellar, and tasting room, creating and sharing the wines from this magical hillside. In 2023, Joshua was anointed as a Master of Wine, making him the 1st Virginian to have earned this prestigious title.
Lost Mountain Vineyards is a world-class winery nestled in the foothills of the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains, dedicated to crafting iconic American wines that stand proudly among the best in the world. The vineyard, formerly known as RdV Vineyards and recently acquired by Eutopia Estates (owners of Bordeaux's Château Montrose), is highly acclaimed for its exceptional Bordeaux-style red blends.
Eligibility: Whether you're a wine enthusiast, a gardener, a botanist at heart, or simply curious about how grapes are grown and transformed into expressive wines, this course provides a unique opportunity to engage viticulture from vine to glass in the inspiring surroundings of Oak Spring.
About OSGF: The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) is an operating foundation based on the former estate of Paul and Rachel ‘Bunny’ Mellon, two of the major U.S. philanthropists of the second half of the twentieth century. OSGF is located in the northern Virginia Piedmont and Blue Ridge Mountains region (ca. one-hour drive from Washington, D.C.). Led by Sir Peter Crane, the Foundation’s inaugural President, OSGF supports fellowships and residencies for artists and scholars, offers short courses, and engages its multiple audiences, including its local community in practical horticulture, as well as land stewardship for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. OSGF is rapidly becoming a new center of excellence and stimulation for all things botanical, from fundamental research in plant evolution, to horticulture and plant conservation, as well as the history and contemporary practice of plant, garden and landscape art.
Accommodation and Travel Information: Participants will be accommodated with all meals and private lodging on site at Oak Spring.
Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to the Washington, D.C. area. If flying, please book flights to Dulles International Airport, where Oak Spring will arrange ground transportation to bring guests to Oak Spring.
Dates and Duration: Guests should arrive between 1:00 - 3:00pm on Wednesday, November 4th, 2026, and programming will begin at 4:00pm that evening. The course will conclude at 1:30pm on Friday, November 6th, 2026 and departures should take place then.
Course Fee: $2,000 is all-inclusive and covers full tuition, lodging on-site for four nights in our comfortable suites, and all meals on-site (from dinner on Wednesday through Lunch on Friday).
Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed by Jes Clark and OSGF staff.
Application Deadline: Applications are due Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
The Oak Spring Garden Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. Decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other non-merit factor.