When we first laid eyes on the beautiful rolling hills we now call CrossKeys Vineyards, it was nothing more than a thick forest. After crossing the fence which divided the land from the road, we saw the vision of the vineyard come to life. With no roads on the property, we walked through the untouched forest to the top of the first hill. Through the dense trees we could see the immaculate Massanutten Mountain peeking through, dominating the landscape. A few months after purchasing the land, we had a family picnic to celebrate the wonderful new beginnings with a bottle of Pinot Noir. It was there in that moment the realization of the endless possibilities this land had to offer was planted in our minds. Not too long after, in 2001 the first vines were planted. After many years of hard work, passion, hope, and most importantly perseverance breathed life into our dream; opening the doors to our own vineyard. In May of 2008, we opened the doors to the tasting room and offered the first vintage of 2006, 100% estate grown Virginia wine from the once forgotten land.
Aside from the impressive beauty of the land, the old Cross Keys Tavern was and still is one of our biggest inspirations. The old Tavern served as a town center for the community in the early to mid-19th century. Friends and family gathered after long days and could unwind and enjoy the pure essence the valley has to offer. However, on June 8th of 1862, the small village was engulfed by Union and Confederate troops. The old Tavern became a place of healing as wounded soldiers were carried off after the infamous battle of Cross Keys. We have a dream of rebuilding what the old Cross Keys Tavern offered a century and a half ago; a place of relaxation and gathering for visitors and the locals of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. We strive to be an establishment that gives back to our community. In years past, we have held a New Years Eve Ball to benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital and have donated more than $250,000 to St. Jude’s.
The two gold crossed keys are an old symbol of hospitality, excellence, and a place of prestige. The keys embody our goal of producing exquisite wines, delicious food, fabulous events, but most of all they are a daily reminder that we are here to provide an excellent experience for every guest that walks through our doors.
Thank you for believing in our dreams,
Our Great Team
Bob & Nikoo Bakhtiar
Owners
The Bakhtiar’s began this family business in 2001 and have loved every minute of it. Nikoo’s favorite wine is our Pinot Noir and Bob’s is our Meritage.
Saam Bakhtiar
Director of Operations
Saam Bakhtiar brings energy, vision, and a hands-on approach to CrossKeys Vineyards. A Coastal Carolina University grad with a degree in Business Management, he returned home to help turn a rundown piece of land into a thriving vineyard—and hasn’t stopped moving since.
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As Director of Operations, he’s focused on growing the brand, refining the guest experience, and keeping things running smoother than a glass of Cab Franc reserve his go-to wine after a long day.
When he’s not working on new ways to elevate the CrossKeys experience, you’ll find Saam hanging with his dog Kira, snowboarding down a mountain, or wakesurfing behind a boat—basically anywhere he can’t check his email.
Babak Bakhtiar
Director of Marketing
Babak grew up in the Shenandoah Valley just like his brother, Saam, and is an East Carolina University alum. His favorite wine is CrossKeys Vineyards Meritage.
Michelle White
Marketing Manager
Michelle graduated from EMU with a double major degree in Photography and Digital Media Communications and a minor in Journalism. Michelle worked in photojournalism before transitioning to marketing. She started with CrossKeys in 2019. Her favorite wine is Fiore.
Ranae Powers
Events Manager
Her favorite CrossKeys wine is Sauvignon Blanc.
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For the past six years, Ranae has been the Events Manager and Day-of Coordinator at CrossKeys Vineyards, and she absolutely loves what she does. What drives her most is getting to know each couple and hearing their unique love story – those personal details and connections are what help her create a wedding day that truly reflects who they are as a couple.
As the oldest of six children growing up in Philadelphia, PA, coordinating and organizing has always been second nature to Ranae. Growing up in a large family taught her how to manage multiple moving parts while keeping everyone happy and on track, and she absolutely loves working in the fast-paced environment that her upbringing prepared her for. After six years at CrossKeys, Ranae knows every corner of this vineyard and exactly how to bring your vision to life. She guides her couples from their very first wedding tour all the way through the entire wedding process, working closely with you to ensure every detail is perfect. It is such an honor to be a part of so many special days and to build lasting relationships with her couples.
Leslie Rodriguez
Assistant General Manager
Her favorite CrossKeys Wine is our Cabernet Franc.
Laura Schilling
Bookkeeper
Her favorite CrossKeys wine is Scarlett.
Jeff Jones
Chef
His favorite CrossKeys wine is our Port-Style Tavern.
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Jeffery Anthony Jones Jr. is the Executive Chef at CrossKeys Vineyards where he brings passion and precision to every dish. Hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, Jeffery’s journey in the kitchen is rooted in resilience, culture, and a deep love for food. With a natural talent for leadership and a commitment to excellence, he inspires his team while delivering unforgettable culinary experiences. His Southern roots and personal drive fuel his creativity and dedication in the kitchen. Jeffery continues to grow as a chef and leader, always pushing forward with pride in where he comes from and a vision for where he’s headed.
