Camp Cardinal is thrilled to invite the community to a very special celebration — the grand opening of our newly remodeled camp store and the debut of the Virginia Wine Camp Shop, a brand-new destination for wine lovers in Gloucester and beyond.
Whether you’re a seasoned camper or simply a local looking for a fresh experience close to home, this event – Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. – is your chance to discover all the exciting changes happening at Camp Cardinal. Our updated camp store has been reimagined to offer a more inviting, elevated shopping experience — and now includes the Virginia Wine Camp Shop, a curated collection of Virginia wines from vineyards across the Commonwealth.
The grand opening event will feature an evening full of flavor and fun. Guests will enjoy exclusive wine tastings hosted by Michael Kimball of the Virginia Wineries Association, who brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for Virginia wine to the table. It’s the perfect opportunity to sample hand-picked selections and learn more about the stories behind each bottle.
In addition to wine tastings, guests can explore the beautifully updated camp store, take part in exciting giveaways, and enjoy a free scoop of ice cream from RiverMutt Ice Cream with every purchase (one scoop per purchase).
Everyone who attends will also be automatically entered into a raffle for a Season Pool Pass!
An artisan sourdough bread baker and a food truck will also be on site.
The Virginia Wine Camp Shop is the first step in a broader initiative called Virginia Wine Camp — a new concept created by Camp Cardinal to connect the community to Virginia’s wine industry through curated experiences, seasonal tastings, and events designed to make wine more approachable, fun, and local.
“This is a way to experience wine differently,” Kimball says. “It’s about celebrating Virginia, now the sixth-largest wine grape producer in the U.S., with around 300 wineries. When you combine wine with the relaxed setting of a campground, the experience becomes very personal, approachable, and fun.”
Co-owned by Ryan Cox, Rudy and Stephanie Heinatz, Camp Cardinal has long been a staple of Gloucester’s outdoor lifestyle scene — and with this new addition, it’s expanding into something even more unique: a destination where outdoor living meets local wine culture.
Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, a curious neighbor, or just looking for a fun evening out, this grand opening is your invitation to sip, shop, and celebrate with us.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Camp Cardinal’s next chapter — and raise a glass to what’s ahead.
