Our Founder

Dr. C. Richard Daniel, the founder of Daniel Vineyards, was born and reared in this area. After completing his medical education and military service, he returned to Beckley where he practiced as a radiologist for 43 years. During this time, Dr. Daniel developed a passion for wine and winemaking. This passion led him to explore the wine regions of Napa Valley in California, France, Spain, Germany, and more. In these travels, he sought to learn all he could about the cultivation of grapes and production of wine. Inspired by what he learned, he returned home and set out to build the very first winery in Raleigh County. He planted the first vines in 1988, and Daniel Vineyards was established as an LLC by 1990.

Dr. Daniel is a true innovator, applying the same methodical and curious nature that made him a successful doctor to the establishment of a successful vineyard. He was the first vintner to introduce a multitude of different grape varieties to the climate conditions of West Virginia, and 11 of those original varieties are still being grown on site as part of our Cold Climate Cultivars. At 87 years young, Dr. Daniel continues to maintain a dynamic presence at the vineyard. He routinely tours vineyard grounds, sharing his passion for wine and the expertise he has honed as a wine-maker for almost 30 years, with his grandsons Chad and Rich, the next generation of Daniel Vineyards owners.