Eric Gronning

Eric is an architect, furniture designer and wood/steel fabricator in Washington, D.C. He is the owner of Gronning Architects, PLLC, which has a track record of successful projects over the past 30 years. His design-build firm focuses on restaurants, small commercial and residential projects. He has also designed a local winery and tasting room, near Front Royal, starting construction in 2025.  The firm has completed over 45 restaurant projects in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area. This experience will aid in the design of the tasting room. Eric is a founding member and will manage the operations of the winery. 

Lori Robertson

Lori is a journalist, who is the director at FactCheck.org, a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center. FactCheck publishes articles about the factual accuracy of statements by politicians, and the site debunks viral misinformation. She has a master’s in law from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s in public relations and advertising from Duquesne University. In more than 20 years as a journalist, Lori has also covered the media, health, travel, immigration and children’s issues. Lori is a founding member and will assist with the management of the winery.

Together, Eric and Lori also owned and operated a successful restaurant in Washington, D.C., called Maple. The restaurant was Italian-focused and featured an extensive wine list. They regularly held wine classes on various topics, some based on their travels to Italy and winegrowing regions in the U.S., and Lori hosted a monthly wine flight event, focusing on certain varietals, wine styles and attributes, and regions.