The Land Trust of Virginia (LTV), a nationally accredited non-profit land trust that protects open space and natural and historic resources in Virginia, announced today that Dr. George and Nichola Bazaco have placed their 496-acre Windham property near Hillsboro in conservation easement with LTV.

It is one of the largest single easements taken by the Land Trust, which now holds more than 10,000 acres of easements in Loudoun, Fauquier and surrounding counties.

Also known as the home of Doukénie Winery, Windham Farm is located on the eastern side of Short Hill just north of Hillsboro. Settled in the 1730s, Hillsboro is one of the oldest and most scenic villages in the county.

The Bazacos’ action not only protects in perpetuity the property’s spectacular open space, and its agricultural, forestal, and other conservation values, but helps protect the village of Hillsboro and surrounding countryside east of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The property contains nearly 135 acres of forested mountainside and 360 acres of agricultural land, including 170 acres of prime farmland. For nearly one and one-half miles, it also borders Mountain Road (Route 690), a Virginia Scenic Byway, and stretches to the crest of Short Hill Mountain just north of Hillsboro.   

Said Dr. Bazaco, “Nicola and I purchased this property with the hopes of living and working for the rest of our lives here in northern Loudoun County, and someday passing this beautiful land on to our family. We loved this land from the moment we saw it, and we have worked hard to take good care of it. We are especially pleased that we will be able to continue our vineyard operations and protect the land with a conservation easement.”

LTV Chairman Turner T. Smith, Jr., said, “We are delighted to accept this easement from the Bazacos, which protects their property’s conservation values while allowing them to continue their use of the property, including the vineyard. As a result of their foresight and generosity, this beautiful landscape will be here hundreds of years from now, and our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy the benefits of this easement forever.”

The Land Trust has now protected 105 properties and 10,680 acres of land in Virginia, according to LTV Executive Director Don Owen.  Most of the properties are located in Loudoun and Fauquier Counties, although the organization also holds easements in Clarke, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Madison and Greene Counties. 

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