GRELEN
Finding Inspiration at Every Turn
Mission: To create a welcoming environment which celebrates open space, agriculture and the farm-to-table philosophy while successfully providing products and services that add value to our clients' lives within a successful and sustainable business model.
Our Story
Dan Gregg, Founder of Grelen Nursery, Inc., has loved plants and trees for as long as he can remember. In 1990, he left banking to follow his dream, moving to Orange County to establish Grelen Nursery on a corner of his grandparents’ cattle farm. As demand grew, Dan partnered with Zeke Galvin in 1997 to expand the landscaping side of the business.
In 2003, Gregg and Galvin purchased a 200-acre farm in Somerset, Virginia, providing much-needed room to grow. Over the next several years, Grelen acquired adjoining properties, and today the nursery spans 1000 acres, making it one of the largest rural businesses in Virginia. Grelen grows hundreds of varieties of trees, shrubs, and plants and offers a full range of landscaping, hardscaping, and tree care services. After more than three decades, Grelen Nursery is known for exceptional quality and horticultural expertise.
In 2010, inspired by frequent compliments about the nursery’s layout and breathtaking views, the idea for a destination garden market and pick-your-own experience began to take shape. Berries and fruit trees were planted, a farmhouse was renovated, and gardens and a terrace were added. When the vision was ready to come to life, Leslie Gregg joined the business to oversee buying, marketing, and operations for what would become The Market at Grelen.
The Market opened in April 2013 as a European-style garden shop and has continued to evolve ever since. Almost immediately, couples began asking to marry at Grelen. A 4,500-square-foot clear-span tent was installed, a full-time Venue Manager joined the team, and the Events division was born. In response to guests traveling from near and far, the Grelen Café followed, along with a full-time chef and a thriving vegetable garden to complement the orchards. Today, the café features seasonal, farm-to-table fare alongside Virginia beer, cider, and wine.
As more visitors discovered Grelen’s natural beauty, additional experiences were added over time. The Grelen Trails now span six miles and connect to James Madison’s Montpelier. Pick-your-own orchards offer blackberries, raspberries, peaches, and apples throughout the season, along with Cut-Your-Own Christmas trees in winter. And, a cut-your-own flowers is on the horizon!
The Events & Properties division has grown to include Boxwood Villa, Spotswood Lodge, and The Depot, each offering distinctive lodging and event experiences rooted in the Grelen aesthetic. And for its next chapter, The Grelen Conservatory, a European-inspired glass conservatory wedding venue set within the gardens. Breaking ground in November, 2026 and opening in April, 2027, the Conservatory will provide a light-filled, year-round setting for garden weddings and events, further expanding Grelen’s commitment to thoughtful design, natural beauty, and meaningful gathering.
We invite you to visit The Market at Grelen to explore the gardens, walk the trails, gather with friends, and discover all that Grelen has to offer. And if you are in need of landscaping, please reach out to Grelen Nursery, which is by appointment only.
To visit all of our websites, please see: www.grelen.info.