Central Virginia is understood for its wine and vineyards. Listed here are the wineries in Charlottesville that I like to recommend for a tasting, picnic, or music occasions.
Nestled within the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville, VA is understood for a lot of issues: presidential historical past, the College of Virginia, a captivating downtown, farm-to-table meals, and naturally wine tasting!
Referred to as “The Birthplace of American Wine,” Thomas Jefferson first began rising grapes close to his dwelling, Monticello, in 1773. Now there are greater than 40 wineries within the surrounding areas of Cville. From best-selling Virginia wines like Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Viognier, to classics like Chardonnay and Merlot, to refreshing white and purple blends, the grapes grown and wines produced vary from conventional to inventive.
Charlottesville’s vineyards have stunning landscapes, and visiting the wineries is among the greatest methods to discover the countryside surrounding downtown. In simply 10-Quarter-hour, you’ll really feel such as you’re in one other world.
Lots of the vineyards have dwell music, particular occasions, and most of them have tasting rooms the place you’ll be able to pattern a wine flight earlier than shopping for a bottle to open on the spot or take dwelling.
The Monticello Wine Path has a helpful app that can enable you navigate the vineyards as you go. Use it to map out your day and get up-to-date hours and tasting room data.
When planning your day, remember that lots of the vineyards are closed Monday – Wednesday. Some have caps on the dimensions of your group too, so in case you have a big one name forward first.
Lastly, these are the vineyards I frequent most, however there are much more fantastic spots I’ve but to go to! Please share your favorites within the feedback.
Wineries in Charlottesville
1. Jefferson Vineyards
This attractive setting is the unique land of Jefferson’s first winery – one of many oldest wineries in Albemarle County. With a small tasting room, expanded tasting barn, and loads of fields to run, Jefferson Vineyards is ideal for sunny, heat days. Sip wine in Adirondack chairs whereas the youngsters run up and down the hill and go to the music stage. It’s an ideal spot for throwing a frisbee or bringing a picnic to take pleasure in within the grass. It’s additionally one of many closest vineyards to city so if you happen to’re in search of a fast tasting, that is your spot.
2. Merrie Mill Farm & Winery
This newer winery just isn’t your conventional formal affair – the décor is a great deal of enjoyable! Bought by the Pelly household who relocated from the UK, the primary home on the farm dates again to 1857. The tasting room, pictured under, is glowing with new paint and décor. And it’s adorned with a really eclectic assortment of artwork and design components, like animal print wallpaper and a Victorian sea lion suspended from the ceiling (sealing?) floating by pink balloons. They’ve a small menu of meals, together with charcuterie boards.
3. Keswick Vineyards
Simply down the highway from Merrie Mill is the 400-acre family-run property of Keswick Vineyards. The drive out to Keswick is thru attractive Virginia countryside. The draw at Keswick for me are the large bushes that shade the entrance terrace space, so it’s an ideal spot for a scorching summer time day. The views are good too! They typically have big followers to assist cool off the patio. The terrace has good tables with umbrellas, so if you happen to deliver a picnic, you don’t must eat on the bottom. Good spot for a bachelorette celebration!
4. Veritas Winery
Veritas was based in 1999 with solely 5 acres and now covers greater than 50 acres in close by Nelson County. It’s one of many “fancier” vineyards with a tasting room with huge leather-based sofas and tall ceilings. They’re additionally recognized for weddings and Starry Nights occasions that had drawn 1000’s of individuals for a live performance as soon as a month all through the summer time. Final I heard these at the moment are extra intimate dinners for wine membership members solely. We had a lot enjoyable at Starry Nights prior to now!
Whereas the drive to Veritas is a little bit of a haul, you’ll be able to keep on the property in The Farmhouse at Veritas. They’ve 8 rooms and you’ll decide in to four-course farmhouse dinners paired with Veritas wines Tuesday by way of Saturday evenings. Breakfast is superb as nicely!
5. Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
15 miles southwest of Charlottesville, Pippin Hill sits on the land that my husband grew up romping round! Identified for its stunning gardens and unbelievable views, Pippin Hill has a full restaurant on the property, so it’s an ideal vacation spot winery to take pleasure in farm-to-table meals. Lots of the substances on the tasting room menu are harvested from the property, from honey from bee hives to herbs and greens. The big terrace (seen under) is nice for sitting to absorb the view, and there may be indoor seating for the most popular and coldest of days as nicely.
6. Loving Cup Winery & Vineyard
A dust highway drive away, Loving Cup is simply across the nook from Pippin Hill. Loving Cup is the one certified-organic winery and vineyard in Virginia, and considered one of solely three on the East Coast. Their wines are nice! The winery is small, and the tasting room doesn’t pull in busloads of individuals like among the different spots, however if you happen to’re in search of a family-run vineyard with consideration to element, that is it!
7. Stone Mountain Vineyards
As its title suggests, Stone Mountain Vineyards sits on prime of a mountain! Situated in Dyke, Virginia, you would possibly wish to print out instructions as a result of it’s straightforward to lose cell service out that approach (talking from expertise!!). The windy, twisting filth highway resulting in the winery is difficult to navigate, however the views (and the meals and wine) on the prime are value it! The tasting room is rustic, however there may be area to unfold out.
8. Stinson Vineyards
West of Charlottesville in White Corridor close to Crozet, Stinson Vineyards is understood for its French-influenced small lot wines. The tasting room is housed in an outdated three-car storage, and it has a contemporary really feel. There’s a pleasant patio with tables and umbrellas. If you’ll find availability, you’ll be able to keep on the property on the Inn At Stinson. There’s a pool, so I like to recommend visiting in the summertime months! Throughout our keep, we did a chef dinner that was excellent, and breakfast was fantastic too.
9. King Household Vineyards
Additionally west of Cville is King Household Vineyards. My favourite wine is the Crosé, named for the city of Crozet the place it’s in fact. (GENIUS!) King Household can get fairly crowded – for good cause – however there may be tons of area to unfold out! Flat grassy fields are excellent for youths, sports activities, canines, and teams.
Along with a winery, there’s a full polo area! Attempt to plan your journey round polo season within the hotter months, so you’ll be able to sip your wine whereas watching a recreation and purchase wine from one of many golf carts promoting it!
10. DuCard Vineyards
DuCard is about an hour north of Cville, nestled proper into the mountains in Etlan, VA. On the drive there you’ll be able to’t think about a winery and vineyard on the finish of the rainbow, however certain sufficient there was not solely a vineyard on the finish of the highway, however loads of folks having fun with it as nicely! It’s the form of place the place you’d meet the proprietor hanging out with visitors – that’s precisely what I’m doing under!
DuCard is simply Quarter-hour from the well-known hike Outdated Rag and only a few miles from White Oak Canyon. So go on a hike after which spend the afternoon sipping scrumptious vino!! There are picnic tables and provides at your service.
11. Blenheim Vineyards
Should you’re a Dave Matthews fan, that is your spot! Owned by Dave Matthews, Blenheim was based in 2000, and he designs among the labels as nicely. Blenheim’s wines are 100% sustainable and constructed from grapes grown in 4 completely different blocks throughout the 30 acres of vineyards. The tasting room is 2 tales the place you’ll be able to see down into the manufacturing facility under. There’s a very nice view! There are many picnic tables and deck areas.
12. Barboursville Vineyards
On an 18th-century property a couple of 25-minute drive northeast of Charlottesville is Barboursville. It’s been some time since I visited on a university journey with my roommate, and I would like to return! Barboursville is considered one of Virginia’s most well-known vineyards, and it’s large. There’s an Italian-inspired restaurant, Palladio, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in a lavish lunch. There’s an inn on the property as nicely. They’ve many award-winning wines – Octagon is a favourite! You possibly can even purchase library vintages of Octagon for an funding worth : )
13. Mount Ida Farm & Winery
For some very odd cause, I’ve but to go to Mount Ida! However my associates all rave about it, so it’s on the prime of my winery vacation spot checklist. The grounds are expansive, they’ve a full kitchen, they usually’re open every single day! And a uncommon discover: they serve wine AND beer so teams divided on the most effective drink will all be joyful!
14. Eastwood Farm & Vineyard
Solely about 10 minutes south of Cville is Eastwood Farm, a more moderen, woman-owned winery so as to add to the checklist. It additionally will get my vote for the most effective family-friendly vineyards. I simply love that they’ve juice flights for youths and supply charcuterie boards for all ages. My dad and mom used to tug us to wineries for tasting earlier than we have been of age, and it was so boring. A juice flight makes it extra enjoyable! Eastwood has an indoor barn area for cooler months and a beautiful tent on the prime of the small mountain the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in views of terraced panorama.
15. Early Mountain Vineyards
30 miles north of city, Early Mountain is among the extra subtle vineyards within the space. The tasting room is attractive, and the wines are crafted to match. Have lunch with a view on the Virginia Desk the place they serve charcuterie boards, sharable plates and fundamental programs that includes native substances. An accolade on their web site says they have been voted the #1 tasting room in America!
16. Afton Mountain Vineyards
Stunning views, a heated and cooled glass pavilion, and an out of doors patio space make this a stunning spot to absorb the mountain views. I like their slogan: “Grapes don’t develop in ugly locations.” 🙂 The glass pavilion is open year-round the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in a self-guided flight.
17. Pollak
Close to Greenwood in western Albemarle County (in your option to Veritas or Blue Mountain Brewery), you’ll discover Pollak. The small, family-owned vineyard was based in 2003 and has a coziness like you’re visiting somebody’s dwelling. Take pleasure in your wine by the pond close to the veranda and vineyards with mountain views!
18. Septenary Vineyard
This adults-only winery looks like somebody rented a non-public property (with a pool on the middle!) and invited you over for a wine tasting celebration. There may be solely restricted indoor seating, however a number of choices outdoor. The grounds have pebbled stone walkways, shady tree paths, and pergolas to lounge below. A number of completely different desk choices – from small to sq. to spherical – are nice for picnics and dialog.
Should you’ve been to Cville earlier than, please share your favorites!
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