Firefly Hill Vineyards gets OK to use out-of-state grapes after theft

ELLISTON, Va. – Firefly Hill Vineyards will be able to move forward to with its plan to get grapes from Washington.

The vineyard posted this message on its Facebook page Wednesday:

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"Super excited and relieved to report we received the request for exemption from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the exemption from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board allowing us to move forward with acquiring grapes from Washington! Cheers!"

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ORIGINAL STORY POSTED Oct. 8, 2018:

A Montgomery County vineyard is facing another roadblock after tons of grapes were stolen in September. 

Firefly Hill Vineyards in Elliston estimated a loss of about $50,000. After that news made national headlines, Washington state's Alexandria Nicole Cellars offered to donate grapes to make up for the loss. 

But based on Virginia law, 51 percent of the grapes have to come from Firefly Hill's property and only 25 percent can come from out of state. Now, the vineyard is working with the Virginia ABC and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to secure a waiver. 

The vineyard will have an inspection Friday, and owners say they are hoping a decision will be made on the waiver soon after.
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