By Jennifer Waldera
In 2020, Jay Smith was on the search for a vineyard to purchase in the Charlottesville area when he happened upon Glass House Winery. Instantly falling in love with the sprawling acreage, the unique greenhouse-style interior with colorful tropical plants, and a business model that included an in-house chocolatier, Smith knew that he’d found exactly what he was looking for. Not only did he buy the vineyard, he also created a four to five-year plan to expand operations into brewing, and in March of 2025 those plans came to fruition with the grand opening of the brewery.
“Being a planner and an innovator, my plan before I bought the winery was to open a brewery,” Smith said. “I did a lot of research on demographics on beer, breweries, and craft beer. I wanted to do something different to make us attractive and unique.”
Smith has some experience with homebrewing but for the Glass House brewing operation, he has partnered with another established local brewer to craft the first three brews that have been released — a Vienna Lager, Hazy IPA, and Pineapple Sour — all of which will be available, initially, only onsite.
Each of the beers is made using his partner’s equipment but the recipes are Smith’s. And more varieties are on the way. “I’m always thinking ahead,” he said. “Stouts, potentially brown ales, maybe cider, and I’m considering a non-alcoholic beer.” Smith also noted that he has looking into experimenting with overlap with the winery operation in the form of potentially aging the beer in the vineyard’s wine barrels. Additionally, he hopes to eventually utilize some of the property’s fruits like persimmons, peaches, and apples in future fermentations.
Currently, the winery’s tasting room offers options for pairing its in-house-made chocolates with various varietals, an experience that highlights how specific wines can transform the chocolates that are available in flavors that range from salted caramel and cherry chili to rum & coconut and Earl Grey. Ultimately, Smith hopes to do the same type of pairing with the beers.
“We needed the beer to try the chocolates with it; absolutely we will match it with the beer, he said. “I think we’ll end up creating new chocolates that go with beer even better or different ones, like chocolate-covered nuts.”
As a music enthusiast, Smith invites Central Virginia-based musicians to perform regularly at the property but he has his eye on expanding the event schedule as well, including collaborations with other area breweries. Glass House’s onsite 6,000 square-foot bed and breakfast is also getting some upgrades. He’s hired a new Innkeeper who is also a trained chef which has translated to both a new brunch and plated dinners.
Smith’s primary goal is to provide a venue where visitors feel welcome and can enjoy themselves whether it’s for a tasting, an overnight stay, or a wedding. “I love people, I love seeing people happy,” he said. “I want people to come to this vineyard and brewery to have fun, be safe, and enjoy life. When I see people having fun I’m having fun.”
