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Wine
Afton Mountain Vineyard
Autumn Hill Vineyards
Barboursville Vineyards
Blenheim Vineyards
Burnley Vineyards
Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery
Cooper Vineyards
DelFosse Vineyards and Winery
First Colony Winery
Flying Fox Vineyard
Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery
Horton Cellars Winery
Jefferson Vineyards
Keswick Vineyards
King Family Vineyards
Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard
Lovingston Winery
Mountain Cove Vineyards & Wine Garden
Mountfair Vineyards
Old House Vineyards
Pollak Vineyards
Prince Michel Vineyards
Rockbridge Vineyard
Stone Mountain Vineyards
Sweely Estate Winery
Sugarleaf Vineyards
Veritas Winery
White Hall Vineyards Wintergreen Vineyard & Winery
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Virginia Wineries
Pop vitiCulture:
We are wine country
BY LINDSAY BARNES
[email protected] Look out, California, your days at the pinnacle of America's wine industry might be numbered.
That's what some are saying about the booming Virginia wine scene. According to the Virginia Wineries Association, the Commonwealth boasts over 260 different wineries producing over 750,000 gallons of wine a year!
But it's not just quantity that's caught the wine world's attention. Virginia wines are winning awards galore in national and international competitions, and some of those gold and silver medal bottles come from right here in Central Virginia.
So cleanse your palate and gas up your car, because there's plenty of tasting to be done in our own backyard.
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Vineyards and Wineries
Afton Mountain Vineyards - Located on a beautiful spread in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, this mom and pop vineyard makes Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, a "Sweet Afton" dessert wine and (yes, Sideways fans), one of the area's only Pinot Noirs. Given its mountain location, the view ain't bad either. Daily 10am-6pm (except Tues) for most of the year. 540-456-8667
Autumn Hill Vineyards/Blue Ridge Winery - Established in 1979, Autumn Hill calls itself "Virginia's Home of Serious Red Wine." But those who prefer whites should have no fear. In addition to such reds as Merlot and a "Horizon Rouge" Bordeaux-style blend, they also offer Chardonnay and Viognier. Open only for special events. Check their website for further details. 985-6100
Barboursville Vineyards - Growing grapes on the estate with Thomas Jefferson's Historic Landmark Ruins, this is one of Virginia's most acclaimed wineries, racking up awards from all over the country for wines young and old. Both Classic and Reserve selections are available. Open 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, 11am-5pm Sun. 540-832-3824
Blenheim Vineyards - Aside from the fact that it's owned by Dave Matthews, this vineyard boasts three types of Chardonnay as well as Merlot, Meritage, and Cabernet Franc. Tastings daily, 11:00-5:30. Private tours are also available with a reservation. 293-5366
Burnley Vineyards - This family-owned and -operated winery is one of the oldest in the area. They offer several varieties of "Rivanna" blends in addition to more traditional wines. It's not a bad place to end an exhausting day of tasting, as the owners offer a guest house that sleeps four. Open daily 11am-5pm from April - December, and then closed Tu-Th in the winter. 540-832-2828
Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery - Here you can take in views of the Rockfish Gap, Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway while sampling a bottle of award-winning Viognier or Cabernet Franc Reserve. Open daily 11am-5:30pm. 540-456-8400 Cooper Vineyards - All wines from this Louisa vintner are aged in French Oak barrels with the exception of their Norton wine (made from a native Virginian grape) aged in oak from right here in the Commonwealth. Open daily 11am-5pm year round. 540-894-5253
DelFosse Vineyards and Winery - Having planted their first grapes in 2000, this Nelson County winery is one of the newest in Central Virginia. Their vineyards of 10 kinds of varietal grapes are planted in the European "terraced" style, one of the only such vineyards in the Commonwealth. Their wines include international gold medal-winning bottles of Chardonnay and a blend called Cuvee Laurent. Open Wed-Sun 11am-5pm year-round, and Monday-Tuesday by appointment. 263-6100
First Colony Winery - With all due respect to fiddlers on roofs everywhere, this place is all about Old World tradition! Complete with a winemaker from France, First Colony has transplanted the craft from the Loire Valley to just east of the Shenandoah Valley. The wine list includes several dry whites, reds and a "Sweet Shenando" off-dry blend. Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm and Sat-Sun 11am-6pm. 979-7105
Flying Fox Vineyard - Located at 27 Chapel Hollow Road Afton, Virginia 22920. Open Friday-Sundays 11am-6pm. 434-361-1692.
Gabriele Rausse - Not open to the public, but wines are available for purchase. 296-5328
Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery - As the name suggests, there are very few grapes to be found here. Instead, the wines are made almost exclusively from sweeter fruits like blueberries, strawberries, peaches, and the house specialty, blackberries. This Nelson County vintner also makes mead, perfect for ye olde Renaissance faire or jousting match. Open year-round, Wed-Sat 11am-5pm (9am-5pm during berry season from mid-July to mid-August) and 1-5pm Sun. 361-1266
Horton Vineyards - Whether you're talking about their nine varieties of fruit wine, or their "Dom Virginion"-- a sparkling Viognier-- this Orange County vineyard is far from traditional. But now that they've won gold medals in several competitions across the country, nobody seems to be complaining. Open 10am-5pm daily year-round. 800-829-4633
Jefferson Vineyards- This vintner borrows the name of Virginia's most famous wine connoisseur with good reason. The land used to grow the grapes is on the site of Mr. Jefferson's original 1774 vineyard, a mile south of Monticello. In "truly fulfilling Jefferson's vision," they make a wide variety of red and white wines and two "Jefferson's Own" blends. Open 10am-6pm daily year-round. 977-3042 or 1-800-272-3042
Keswick Vineyards - Located on the Edgewood Estate in the eastern part of Albemarle Coutny, Keswick has a decidedly narrow focus, offering only nine different kinds of wine. The lack of quantity doesn't appear to have hurt the quality, however. Seven of their nine current offerings are award-winners. Tasting room open daily 9am-5pm. 244-3341
King Family Vineyards - Look for Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, in addition to the locally, homophonic red-white blend, "Crosé." And for the equine-inclined, be sure to check out their annual polo match every June. Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 11am-5pm Sat-Sun year-round. 823-7800
Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard - With a view looking down on Monticello, this Carter's Mountain vineyard makes wine with a decidedly nontraditional bent, including Cru-- a Chardonnay apertif aged in Jack Daniels barrels. Prices range from $13 for a bottle of Albemarle Rosé to $495 for a bottle of 2000 New World Red. Open daily 11am-6pm June-Oct. 977-3895
Lovingston - Only open for tastings and and tours by appointment. 885 Freshwater Court Lane Lonvingston, Virginia 22949. 434-263-8467.
Mountain Cove Vineyards & Wine Garden - It's purportedly Virginia's oldest continually operated winery. This Nelson County vineyard offers a small variety of exclusive blends and sweet wines made from locally grown fruit. Open Wed-Sun 11am-6pm March through October and 11am-5pm November through December, or by appointment. 263-5392
Mountfair - Open weekends March-November from 12pm-5pm, or by appointment. 4875 Fox Mountain Road Mountfair, Virginia 22932. 434-823-7605.
Old House Vineyards - Seventy-five acres of Culpeper real estate and a restored 19th century farmhouse constitute these newer vineyards. Having won awards from domestic and international wine festivals for everything from Chardonnay to a red blend called "an Samhradh," it's an up-and-comer in the Virginia wine game. Open Mon, Thurs and Fri 1-5pm, Sat 11am-5pm, and Sun noon-5pm, or by appointment. 540-423-1032
Pollak Vineyard - Open April-October daily from 11am-5pm, and November-March from 11am-5pm Wednesdays-Sundays. 330 Newtown Road Greenwood, Virginia 22943. 540-456-8844.
Prince Michel Vineyards - As anyone driving to or from Washington knows, Prince Michel Vineyards are conspicuously located right on Route 29 a few miles south of Culpeper. In addition to area commonalities like Cabernet Franc and Merlot, they make Port, a rare find in Central Virginia. Whether you buy wine made under their Virginia, Madison, or Rapidan labels, a portion of your money goes to the Leducq Foundation for cardiovascular research. Open daily 10am-6pm for most of the year. 1-800-800-9463
Rockbridge Vineyard - This is no fly-by-night winery. Owner and winemaker Shepherd Rouse has been serious about his viticulture and his Commonwealth for decades and married his two passions in 1988 when he planted five acres of grapes at his farm in Rockbridge County. Since then, this European-schooled vitner has produced several acclaimed vintages over the years, including three Virginia Governor's Cup winners. Open Tu-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun-Mon noon-5pm. 1-888-511-9463
Stone Mountain Vineyards - Inspired by the grapes grown in the mountains on either side of Europe's Rhine River Valley, this vineyard is distinctive for its high elevation (1,700 feet) relative to the rest of Central Virginia. They've expanded their offerings in the last few years, but they're still the only winery making "Revenuers' Select," "a tribute to moonshiners and the revenue agents who pursued them." Open weekends for most of the year, Fri-Sun 11am-5pm. 990-9463
Sweely Estate Winery - Open daily from 11am-5pm except on major holidays. 6109 Wolftown-Hood Road Madison, Virginia 22727. 540-948-9005.
Sugarleaf Vineyards - Located just off Route 29 South in North Garden, Sugarleaf is a convenient stop along any Charlottesville-centric wine tour. In addition to all the usual reds and whites for this area, the vineyard, true to its sweet name, boasts a dessert wine called "Neubia Nectar." Open Wed-Sun, and all holiday Mondays 11am-6pm. 984-4272.
Veritas Winery - Latin proverbs aside, the Veritas wine list is indeed true to European tradition, offering wines like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Claret. In-house specialty blends include Kenmar, a fruity dessert wine, and a dark red called Othello. The Afton vineyard also features another one of Virginia's famous exports-- there's a stable of horses on site. Open year round weekdays 9:30am-5:30pm, weekends 11am-5pm. 540-456-8000
Virginia Wineworks - After working for years as the winemaker for places like King Family Vineyards and Jefferson Vineyards, Michael Shaps has gone into business for himself and founded Virginia Wineworks, just off of Rt. 20 South. Among their offerings is a "custom crush" program, in which Shaps and company will aid you in making your own wine. Open by appointment only. 296-3438.
White Hall Vineyards - This western Albemarle County vineyard boasts of several accolade-winning wines, including a national gold medal Cabernet Franc and one of the only local Gewürtztraminers. For the femme fatale in your life, they make a deep blend called Breakheart Red. Feel free to pack a lunch and picnic under the oak trees. Open Wed-Sun, 11am-5pm year round. 823-8615
Wintergreen Vineyard & Winery - Located in scenic Nelson County near Wintergreen Resort and the Blue Ridge Parkway, this family-owned winery consistently crafts award winning vintages in the heart of Virginia's celebrated Monticello wine region and offers a friendly, unpretentious wine experience. Wine Tasting, Artisanal Cheeses & Gourmet Foods, Wine & Gift Shop, Riverside Picnic Area. "The Verandah at Wintergreen Winery" is available for weddings, receptions, private parties, and special events. Open daily year round, 10am-5pm in the fall and winter, 10am-6pm when the weather gets warmer. 361-2519
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