The 10 Best Virginia Wineries (and More) to Visit Right Now
To understand Virginia’s booming wine scene, add these expert-loved wineries, restaurants and more to your travel itinerary. [...] Read More... The post The 10 Best Virginia Wineries (and More) to Visit Right Now appeared first on Wine Enthusiast.
With more than 300 wineries scattered across eight distinct AVAs, Virginia has plenty to offer oenophiles. The self-proclaimed birthplace of American wine gained popularity in the 1970s thanks to a small group of pioneers producing higher-quality wines. By the 1990s, the quantity of Virginia winemakers had multiplied to 50, and the region has been on the fast track to growth ever since.
Wine Enthusiast writer-at-large Cheron Cowan, who reviews American wines, is really excited about what’s happening at wineries across the state. “Virginia is committed to finding its own identity and moving beyond just the standards,” says Cowan. “Petit Manseng, Albariño and Tannat are being produced by a number of wineries, due to the grapes’ abilities to thrive in challenging climatic conditions.” In short, V.A. winemakers are zero-ing in on grapes “unique to their environment and consumer interest,” with spectacular results.
Cowan is also impressed by the “small enclave of producers exploring sustainability and modest intervention,” she says. “This is extremely challenging in this climatic environment, but the commitment and willingness to the investment is something to watch for in the future.”
Thankfully, it’s only the beginning. “Virginia wine is a young industry, really only just now beginning to see second-generation winemakers,” says Reggie Leonard, co-founder of Virginia-based Blenheim Vineyards’ Oenoverse wine club. “To be so young, and already so pedigreed, with so much room to learn and grow is an exciting position to be in.”
So, where should you begin? We asked insiders to share their favorite Virginia wineries that are truly worth a visit.
Early Mountain Vineyards
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains north of Charlottesville, Early Mountain Vineyards boasts more than 55 acres of Bordeaux-type varietals, such as Cabernet Franc and Merlot. They also grow newer varietals, like Malvasia Bianca and Tannat.
With a philosophy driven by “making the wine the grapes want to be,” Early Mountain has gained a reputation for making wines inspired by Virginia’s distinctive terroir. Four of their wines have even won gold medals in the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Cup Wine Competition.
Between the elegant tasting room, open-air patio and meadow picnic area, Early Mountain offers both upscale and casual sampling experiences. Wines are available by the glass and bottle.
“I was enamored the first time I visited, equally by the wines and the food. The winery is ornate,” Leonard says. He recalls a bison tartare paired with Petit Manseng. “It blew my mind. A dry white wine with raw bison was one of the most eye-opening pairings I’ve had in recent memory.”
Book a tasting room reservation at Early Mountain Vineyards.
Where to Eat: Reservations are recommended at Early Mountain’s on-site restaurant. The Meadow, a more casual picnic experience, offers a small menu and a walk-up bar for wine.
Where to Stay: Book a farm stay or mountain cottage on Airbnb, or drive 15 minutes west to the gracious Inn at Willow Grove in Orange, named one of the best resorts in the South by Travel + Leisure.
Walsh Family Wine
A family-owned and -operated winery situated in the rocky hills of Loudon County in Northern Virginia, Walsh Family Wine was consistently named as a favorite among our experts. “They’re incubating several compelling small-production projects [by Quartzwood, Guide Wines, Boden Young and others], which are all available in their tasting room,” Leonard says. “The music is always eclectic, the clientele tends to be diverse and the wines are exceptional.”
Stop in for a broad range of wines by the glass or bottle, like Tannat (including a carbonic version), Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonel, pét nats and more.
“The team is incredibly welcoming, and it feels like a house party at someone’s home who happens to have a cozy living room and a big backyard with a pretty dope patio,” Leonard adds.
Where to Eat: Head into the quaint downtown of Purcellville for a taste of smoky Southern barbecue at Monk’s BBQ, named one of the best barbecue restaurants in the region by The Washington Post.
Where to Stay: The winery offers three on-site properties for overnight guests ranging from a cozy apartment to a large Tudor-style home with a swimming pool.
Grace Estate Winery
On a 450-acre estate in Crozet, on the Monticello Wine Trail, this 10-year-old winery overlooks the picturesque Mount Juliet Vineyard. “Their philosophy is that wine is made in the vineyard … and that intention translates to the minimal intervention in the cellar,” Leonard says. “They’re just getting started, only having the current vintage of growing/production under their belts.”
Leonard suggests trying the Grace Estate Winery red blend and the “unexpectedly savory” Sauvignon Blanc.
And the views are not to be missed. “The massive lake along with the beautiful grounds and tasting room are gorgeous,” Leonard adds.
Where to Eat: Crozet Pizza is a much-loved Central Virginia landmark around since the 1970s—Food & Wine called it some of the best pizza in Virginia in 2021.
Where to Stay: Visit another local vineyard while finding a place to rest your head at the nearby Inn at Stinson Vineyards. This modern B&B is surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.
Gabriele Rausse Winery
Many consider the viticulturist Gabriele Rausse to be the father of the Virginia wine movement. In addition to overseeing the vineyards at Monticello, Rausse also runs Gabriele Rausse Winery, a destination for serious wine lovers known for its small-production, European-style wines.
“Gabriele Rausse’s tasting room is a must-visit,” says Lance Lemon, owner of Richmond-based wine shop Penny’s and the wine delivery service RichWine. “It’s an intimate setting with no frills, but the wine is amazing, especially their line of low intervention ‘garagiste’-style wines, Vino Del Basco, made by Gabriele’s sons.”
Where to Eat: Choose from more than a dozen vendors at the Dairy Market food hall, which offers everything from Filipino and Thai to Latin American street food. Eater has named it one of Charlottesville’s essential restaurants.
Where to Stay: Set on 14 rolling acres, Arvady Vineyard Bed and Breakfast is a cozy rural stay that’s just a ten minute drive from Gabriele Rausse.
Blenheim Vineyards
Southeast of Charlottesville, Blenheim Vineyards was established in 2000 by musician Dave Matthews—arguably the region’s most famous resident. Its two vineyard sites grow Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a minimalist, sustainable approach inspired by the surrounding Piedmont landscape.
“Winemaker Kirsty [Harmon] is one of my favorites, and their approach to winemaking and ‘winetainment’ is authentic and real,” Lemon says. “The rustic outdoor picnic table setting and separate tasting room add to the laid-back vibe.”
Blenheim offers a special wine club—Oenoverse Club—that aims to build diversity and inclusion in the Virginia wine industry, says Janelle Freeman, a Virginia-based wine educator who shares her love for wine on the Instagram account the Wino Educator.
“With a stunning backdrop, the winery is also an environmental steward with a property designed to reduce its carbon footprint,” Freeman says.
Book a tasting room reservation at Blenheim Vineyards.
Where to Eat: Sample local food trucks or order a charcuterie platter on-site. You can also head into nearby Charlottesville to try Tavola, a rustic Italian restaurant with a great wine list—it was voted the best restaurant in the city by readers of C-Ville Weekly.
Where to Stay: About 15 minutes up the road, Charlottesville is the nearest spot for hotels. The Graduate is a fun option located right on Main Street, ranked one of the top hotels in Charlottesville by U.S. News & World Report.
King Family Vineyards
Yet another Monticello Wine Trail favorite, King Family Vineyards is a boutique winery in Crozet known for its award-winning wines and super-popular polo matches.
“Winemaker Matthieu Finot has a golden touch,” says Jay Youmans, a Master of Wine and owner of the Capital Wine School in Washington, D.C. “He makes lovely Chardonnay and Viognier. His Meritage has been one of my top 12 wines for the last 10 years in a row. The skin-contact Viognier is exotic, and his Mountain Plains red blend is amazing. King Family has one of the most beautiful settings in Virginia.”
Visitors can enjoy wine by the glass or bottle in the tasting room, on the patio or the pet- and kid-friendly lawn. Self-guided and guided tastings are available, and winery tours offer an intimate glimpse into King Family’s vineyard management and winemaking process.
Where to Eat: Food trucks are on-site on select days during the summer. Otherwise, you’ll want to bring a picnic or visit downtown Crozet, where Fardowner’s is ranked one of the best restaurants in town on TripAdvisor.
Where to Stay: Home-sharing sites are typically your best bet in this rural region. The Barn at Haden is a highly-rated Airbnb conveniently situated close to many local wineries. Or drive about 10 miles toward Charlottesville’s western side to stay at the Boar’s Head Resort, recommended by Forbes.
Lost Mountain Vineyards
This 100-acre vineyard in Delaplane, an hour west of Washington, D.C., sits on a steep and craggy slope ideal for growing Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Rutger de Vink, a former marine, founded Lost Mountain Vineyards (formerly RdV) in 2004 after scouring the country for the perfect site.
“Lost Mountain Vineyards is thought to achieve ‘cult status’ in Virginia the same way that Harlan or Bond has in California,” says Lindsey Fern, director of wine at The Inn at Little Washington (a Relais & Châteaux property that’s the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Virginia). “They only produce a few thousand bottles annually, and there is a waitlist to become a member and receive a small allocation each year.”
The vineyard only produces two wines: Lost Mountain and Rendezvous, “which are reminiscent of Bordeaux’s left bank and right bank respectively,” says Fern. “Their wines are world class and the winery will have you wondering if you’re in Napa Valley or in Delaplane, Virginia. Last year the Bouygues family of Château Montrose acquired Lost Mountain Vineyards, which is another level of validation for the region.”
Where to Eat: The nearby Ashby Inn & Restaurant serves farm-to-table cuisine. Eater D.C. called the restaurant one of the most romantic in the region.
Where to Stay: For after dinner, book a room at the Ashby Inn, highly rated by TripAdvisor and considered a hidden gem by locals and visitors alike.
Barboursville Winery
Situated on the estate of James Barbour, Virginia’s governor during the War of 1812, Barboursville Winery focuses on producing European-style wines. Perched between Monticello and Montpelier (the homes of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, respectively), the historic site still contains the ruins of the mansion that Jefferson designed for Governor Barbour.
The site’s present-day operation was established in 1976 by Gianni Zonin, whose family has been producing wine in Italy since the 1800s.
“Barboursville is special because of their Old World ties and their history in Virginia,” says Fern. “The winemaker and estate director Luca Paschina is a third-generation Italian wine grower who has managed the estate since 1990.”
Because of their centuries-old ties to Italy, the winery has Italian varietals planted–like Nebbiolo, Barbera, Fiano and Vermentino– “that aren’t found at many other wineries in the state and decades of vintages to study and learn from as they age and evolve,” says Fern. “The Inn is fortunate enough to have the largest offering of library vintages from Barboursville Vineyards outside of the winery itself. It’s always a treat opening an old bottle of Nebbiolo—or Octagon, which are from Bordeaux varietals—and seeing how complex and vibrant they are.”
Youmans finds the wines to be “excellent quality” and agrees about the Octagon red Bordeaux blend: “It’s consistently good and age-worthy. Also, look for their Cabernet Franc reserve.”
The Discovery Tasting Room hosts tastings daily, where you’ll find the broadest range of current vintages, as well as Library 1821. This space houses a rotating selection of current and older vintage flights paired with seasonal dishes. Guests are encouraged to stroll the expansive grounds and visit the landmarked ruins while sipping their wine.
Where to Eat: The on-site Palladio Restaurant gives a nod to the winery’s Italian roots with a casually elegant vibe.
Where to Stay: Barboursville’s own 1804 Inn and Vineyard Cottages invites guests to fully embrace the history of this incredible site.
Veritas Vineyard and Winery
Operating since 2002 in Afton at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Veritas Vineyard and Winery is a scenic winery focused on making wine with the classic Old World principles of viticulture and vinification, while using modern technology and leaning into the regional character.
“Emily Hodson is a gifted winemaker crafting outstanding wines,” Youmans says. “My favorites are the Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Verdot and Vintner’s red blends.”
Reservations are encouraged for the tasting room, which includes an indoor dining room, covered veranda, fireside area and private picnic area. Guided and self-guided tastings are available. Other picturesque options are open to guests without reservations, including the lawn overlooking the vines. To see Veritas’s crush pad, wine cellar and barrel room, be sure to book a guided tour.
Book a tasting room reservation at Veritas Vineyard.
Where to Eat: Choose from an extensive menu of lighter fare like boards, salads and sandwiches in the tasting room, or opt for a multi-course meal with wine pairings at the on-site Farmhouse restaurant.
Where to Stay: The historic Farmhouse at Veritas offers six guest rooms with views of the surrounding vineyard. It was recently voted one of the top wine country hotels in the U.S. by readers of USA Today.
Linden Vineyards
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, 60 miles west of Washington D.C., Linden Vineyards has long been a force in Virginia’s wine scene. Since Linden’s first vintage in 1997, the winery has expanded to three distinct sites: Hardscrabble, Avenius and Boisseau Vineyards.
“The founder and winemaker Jim Law is thought of as the Godfather of Wine in Virginia,” says Fern. “Nearly all of the winemakers and wines found in Virginia seem to have a path back to Linden. Whether it’s a winemaker that trained under Jim and his team, or studying from the groundwork laid by the team at Linden and their farming technique practiced.”
Fern is also incredibly impressed by the wines themselves, which she says “are always an expression of the vintage, and it’s obvious that they are just guiding the wine into a bottle.”
She adds, “They aren’t heavy handed in their technique, so the wines have a beautiful purity and tell a story of the terroir.”
Book a tasting room reservation at Linden Vineyards.
Where to Eat: Spelunker’s Frozen Custard and Cavern Burgers is a regional hotspot for custard, burgers and a killer fried chicken sandwich.
Where to Stay: Located right beside the Appalachian Trail, the much-loved Mountain Home B&B dates back to 1847, which adds to the charming antique vibes. It’s the perfect spot for both hikers and wine lovers.
More Virginia Wine Coverage
- Tannat is taking off in Virginia. Here’s why that’s so exciting.
- Get to know the two other grapes—Petit Manseng and Petit Verdot—that are changing the Virginia wine scene.
- Travel off the beaten path in Virginia wine country and visit these charming pit stops.
- These nine places are preserving the history of American wine.
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