Central virginia wineries

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1 Central virginia wineries Not to say that this mountaintop winery in Amherst is remote, but they advise you to print driving directions since your GPS may fade out. And the fact that it is only open for tastings only 12-5 on Saturdays between 12-5 may prove another discouragement. But those who persevere in getting to the top of the 1,800- foot promontory will be greeted with not only gorgeous views but also the Vrooman family's paradigm-altering wines. In a state whose vineyards are Bordeaux-leaning, the Vroomans have planted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in an area they call "little Burgundy." Given the recognition both are getting from competitions and wine-lovers, your trip will likely be rewarded. Arguably Virginia's most famous winery, Barboursville was founded outside Charlottesville way back in 1976, though the and the estate dates to the 18th century. Barboursville is owned by the Zonin family, from Italy's Veneto, which brought Old World know-how, stubbornness and talented winemaker Luca Paschina to the project. The result is a path-breaking winery that has received high recognition for numerous wines, starting with the flagship Octagon red Bordeaux blend, but extending into whites as well, including Viognier and Chardonnay. The winery is also a well-established attraction for wine tourists, who can stroll the extensive grounds, which include the ruins of the mansion Thomas Jefferson built for the original owner. The tasting room is open seven days a week (fee: $7), but weekend visitors can enjoy the quieter Library 21, with reserve wine tastings and culinary pairings start at $20. You're using a browser that AtWineries.com is not supporting. For more information, visit our list of. In Leesburg, atop wonderfully named Hogback Mountain, this is a deep-pocketed, welcoming and wonderfully scenic winery venue, well-equipped to serve visitors. There are two tasting venues to choose from, both spacious and furnished for relaxation: the dog-and-teen friendly Harvest Barn, with six bars, and for those 21 and older the Tower View tasting room. There are also various tour and tasting options to choose from, including a simple drop-in (six wines for $15) and the $85 in-cellar Winemaker's Experience (call ahead or book online for the speciality tours). The flagship estate produced wines, like

2 the Stone Tower Viognier, are premium-priced, while the winery also offers the somewhat more affordable Wild Boar line. Fabbioli is a family-owned boutique winery in Leesburg with the motto "Real people. Earth friendly. Fabulous wines." They make wine you won't see everywhere else Raspberry Merlot, for instance, or Something White, whose composition varies but may include Vidal Blanc and Viognier. The flagship of the premium-priced line-up is the much-awarded Tannat, though Fabbioli does well with Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc as well. The tasting experience here is friendly and hands-on. The tastings are guided, sitdown affairs, and sips of seven wines are paired with gourmet nibbles ($15). With over 250 wineries, many producing high-quality products, Virginia vies with New York for the reputation as East Coast's finest wineproducing state. Native winemakers, plus wealthy outside investors, plus a dose of Old World expertise (from world-class European consultants) are all coming together in Virginia to produce delicious, European-weight wines from classic Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc), Viognier and Chardonnay, and from America's often very fine native Norton grape. Proximity to Washington, D.C., a welcoming attitude toward wine visitors (and their families and dogs) and a sprinkling of stardust winery owners include Dave Matthews and AOL's Steve Case have helped raise the state's profile. Richard Nalley. Enter your city to find wineries and wine events near you. The Morrisette family's winery off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd is a laid-back, come-as-you-are destination, and a rare winery that encourages you to bring your dog along. (These are, after all, the wines with the Labrador on the label.) The winery turns out a bevy of popularly priced offerings, including fruit wines and Virginia staples like Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon and a new Petite Mansang. The sweeping mountain views are part of the draw here, and can be experienced from the white tablecloth restaurant (check the website for hours and reservations), or during the numerous outdoor events like the Black Dog Music Festivals. Half-ounce pours of 10 wines are $8 in the tasting room, or you can book (well) ahead for the guided Elite Tastings, at $40 a head. There are also cider tastings available. Keeping you in the know on all the latest & greatest food and travel news, and other special offers. In a state marked by ambitious, well-heeled winery owners, Linden alumnus Rutger de Vink stands out, not least because he has brought in a dream team of consultants from Bordeaux, headed by enologist Eric Boissenot. His lovely contemporary winery in Delaplane turns out two pricey and well-received Bordeaux-style blends the Cabernet Sauvignon-based Lost Mountain and the Merlot-based

3 Rendezvous. Visits to this luxury hillside operation (Thursday-Sunday) are by appointment, personal tours, including a tasting paired with local charcuterie, and cost $50 per person, with a maximum of four per group. Much-visited Sunset Hills in Purcellville is appreciated both for its proximity to Washington and for the quality of its wines, including the rich Mosaic Merlot-Cabernet blend, the Viognier and Petite Manseng. Tastings take place outdoors in fine weather, or inside the stunning tasting room in an 1870 barn restored by Amish craftsmen. The tasting fee is $10 for six current releases, which is something of bargain given the premium prices of most Sunset Hills wines, and there is the option of a chocolate truffle pairing ($16) which includes the winery's port-style Dusk. This substantial, well-funded winery 45 minutes south of D.C. in Stafford offers a range of attractions, not least including the spacious tasting room and a wellstocked gift shop with wine and artisan foods. The D'Vine Lounge offers leather sofas, a fireplace and board games for TEENs. (The seating is reservable for club members and is first-come, first serve otherwise.) The ambitious Le Grand Cru Bistro think chorizo stuffed mushrooms and short-rib sliders is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday with a seasonally changing menu. In addition to more familiar varietals, the generally gently priced wines include intriguing specialties such as Norton, a Vin de Paille from Vidal and Petite Mansang and a Moscato Dolce from Italy. Jim Law is not only one of the state's acknowledged Chardonnay masters, but he makes very fine Bordeauxstyle reds at his Linden winery as well. He planted his Hardscrabble Vineyard high in the Blue Ridge Mountains back in 1985, and today his boutique-size, 4,000-case all-estate production consists of wines that often weave the attributes of old-vine Hardscrabble with higher altitude Avenius Vineyard and the richer, lower-lying Boisseau Vineyard. Law's sought-after Chardonnays are often held back well beyond other winery's release dates for added maturation. He is determined to maintain the peace and quiet of the property, so visitors are advised to read up on the various restrictions (and seasonal hours) before arriving. No reservations are necessary for either basic tastings ($7) or reserve cellar tastings (weekends, $25) and there are free tours on Saturday and Sunday mornings in season. An easy day trip from Washington in Delaplane, Three Fox is a welcoming (dog and TEEN friendly ) spot offering diversions like bocce courts, a fire pit, creekside hammocks and an outdoor bar that can make weekends especially feel like a rolling party. The wines here, most priced under $30, feature a number of Italian oriented bottlings, like Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, which is unusual for

4 Virginia. Rest assured, however, that the state's "classics," like Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Viognier, are also well-represented. (Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.). Here's something you may not find ever again in wine country: A tasting room that pours not only its own, premium Bordeaux-centric wines, but also those of many of its top competitors (a little Barboursville, a little Linden). Owned by AOL founder Steve Case, this elegant winery on the Monticello Wine Trail in Madison aims to be both a standout on its own and to boost the "Best of Virginia." That extends to food as well: The Marketplace serves locavore meals and snacks. It's worth checking the website for the active calendar of events, including concerts. Near the scenic Skyline Drive, on the western slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Jeff White planted 14.5 acres of wine grapes on a century-old, 212-acre family farm he planted the first leaf in 1995 and established his own wine brand in Though he cut his teeth at nearby Linden, renowned for Chardonnay, White's personal scale operation is a Bordeaux specialist. Most of his wines are in the $25-$50 range, with the Hodder Hill Cabernet-based blend at the high end. Tastings are $4-$12 depending on wines offered. Burgundy-trained Michael Shaps (he is also the owner-winemaker of Maison Shaps in Meursault, France) founded this winery in 2007, outside of Charlottesville. He brings an Old World artisanwine approach to the small-lot wines he bottles under the Michael Shaps and Virginia Wineworks labels. Shaps' Petit Verdot and Viognier bottlings have been especially well received, and he has developed a smooth touch with the rough, tannic Tannat grape, which he believes is a comer. You can taste the premium range of Michael Shaps and Maison Shaps wines at the winery, and across town at the no-frills bottling facility, the valueoriented Wineworks wines including some on tap. Call ahead to arrange private tastings ($15 a person) at either location. John and Marialisa Delmare and their 12 TEENren relocated from their Saratoga Vineyards in California's Santa Cruz Mountains to a panoramic spot in the foothills of the Blue Ridge in Huntly back in Along the way, they've evolved a business model that makes sales to their wine club a major factor among other things, wine club members have access to club-only bottlings and a special club member area of the tasting room. They encourage non-club members to drop in as well (or visit the website to arrange a tour). Tastings of the Bordeaux-oriented wines are $10. rappahannockcellars.com. With over 250 wineries, many producing high-quality products, Virginia vies with New York for the reputation as East Coast's finest wine-producing state. Native winemakers, plus wealthy outside investors, plus a dose of Old World expertise (from world-class European consultants) are all

5 coming together in Virginia to produce delicious, European-weight wines from classic Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc), Viognier and Chardonnay, and from America's often very fine native Norton grape. Proximity to Washington, D.C., a welcoming attitude toward wine visitors (and their families and dogs) and a sprinkling of stardust winery owners include Dave Matthews and AOL's Steve Case have helped raise the state's profile. Richard Nalley. Keeping you in the know on all the latest & greatest food and travel news, and other special offers. The first priority here for founder David King was a massive, flat field for the polo matches that are now played here every Sunday from Memorial Day through mid October. He approached the winery, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Crozet, with the same determination, which included bringing in French winemaker Matthieu Finot. Finot has had particular success with Bordeaux-style reds, including the vineyard's flagship Meritage, but he produces a range of wines, including the intriguing, experimental Small Batch line, a sparkler and some dessert wines. The drop-in tasting fee is $10 for six wines. Reserve ahead for library tastings or vineyard tours. Help us start you in the right location. Offering a captivating trip highlighted by history and waterways. Includes 12 stops. Learn More. Thirty vineyards and wineries await you along five trails within this one. One mini-trail per weekend? Learn More. Join our mailing list to stay in the know about Monticello Wine Trail events, news, and updates. Experience five wineries, a meadery and a cidery with the Blue Ridge Parkway as your scenery. Learn More. Enjoy the scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Smith Mountain Lake while visiting five wineries. Learn More. Please select as many options as you are interested in. ABOUT Learn more about how the Heart of Virginia Wine Trail works, and how to visit the wineries. The Monticello AVA is in the central Piedmont area. The area is nestled along the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains and encompasses the small ridge known as Southwest Mountain. It is historic in that it is home to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, where Jefferson spent years trying to grow European grape varieties. Tour SIX of Central Virginia's Premier Wineries Enjoy the beautiful Virginia countryside as you drive from winery to winery. Taste handcrafted, award winning Virginia wines of exceptional quality and character. The HOVA Passport Ticket provides a tasting at all six wineries with a souvenir wineglass. Food is available for purchase at most of the trail wineries. HOVA Passport tickets can be purchased on-line or at any of the Heart of Virginia Wineries. Success! Get ready to start receiving Virginia.org travel updates. Central Virginia's thriving wine scene only

6 heightens the area's allure as a destination for history, culture and great food. Traverse a two-hour radius and you'll encounter worlds within worlds from Civil War sites to cutting-edge art; quaint towns, urban excitement and remote mountain escapes. Explore Richmond's explosive food and drink culture, or Charlottesville's famous Downtown Mall. Wintergreen offers breathtaking hikes, skiing and golf courses. Lynchburg is home to four colleges and the launch site for the annual Batteau Festival, where crews dressed in period clothing navigate their flat-bottom boats down the James River to Richmond. Seeking great wine near Richmond? These six wineries heartily welcome you! Learn More. Our next big event! Caribbean Beach Party! august 4th, It's no wonder Thomas Jefferson attempted to make wine at his home, Monticello, in the 1770s, and that generations of winemakers have carried his experiments forward centuries later. The eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge and the rolling countryside offer striking topography fertile granite-based clay soil and a growing season of over 200 days. This combination yields grapes with a rich and multilayered Old-World flavor. You'll find numerous wineries clustered around Charlottesville and to its north, several south of Lynchburg, and a few east and closer to Richmond. Nestled between Old Rag Mountain and White Oak Canyon you'll find two family-run wineries. Learn More. The top Virginia wines have more in common with the understated wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy than the bold wines of California Virginia Wine In My Pocket. All rights reserved. Powered by mobimanage. Choose from 25 wineries and vineyards - each with its own unique flavors. Learn More. Southern Virginia is an up-and-coming grape-growing region. Visit any of the 12 wineries! Learn More. Plan your visit The Monticello Wine Trail consists of 33 beautiful wineries all within easy access of Charlottesville. Start planning your weekend of wine tasting or come for the day. Meet a winemaker, enjoy a wine festival, or a concert under the stars, these are but a few of the many attractions you can enjoy with a visit to the Monticello Wine Trail. There are 19 wineries and vineyards that make up this trail through the Great Valley of Virginia. Learn More. Stretch your stay a day or two longer when you book a travel package. Packages include winery visits, at least one night of accommodations, and frequently, meals, discounts and extra goodies. This breathtaking valley with its rolling landscape of pastures and historic towns, stretches from the Maryland state line to just south of the city of Roanoke. College towns abound, as do wonders both natural (Luray Caverns, Natural Bridge) and man-made (a myriad of small museums, including the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library). You can see

7 Shakespeare plays year-round at the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton and take in the early fall Apple Harvest Festival in Winchester. Description - We are perched high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, about 2 miles from Grayson Highland State Park and Mount Rogers National Recreational Area. Rugby Creek Cabins & Equestrian Retreat, Surrounded by our private 63 acre horse farm you will find quiet, safe seclusion. Slip away from the hustle & bustle. Come sit a spell on the porch & enjoy the majestic mountain views rock a while enjoy the warmth of a crackling fire listen to the crickets let nature call you home! Femi is a sommelier in Charleston, South Carolina. Joey is growing grapes and making his own wine in. Create your own small farm at this Free Union Home on 26+/- acres. Lovely pool. You will love the mountain views! $1,049,000. Somerset Virginia Farm on 736+/- acres with fertile tillable land, pastures, homes on the Rapidan River. $4,500,000. Lovely 235+/- acre farm located in Buckingham County. Half in pastures. Two ponds and a fivebedroom brick home which overlooks the farm. Sold! Blue Moon Cabin- a Relaxing Getaway in the Shenandoah Valley. We rely on readers like you to uphold a free press. Large acreage (683+/- acres) in Buckingham County offers 100+/- acres in farmland and the balance in timber. Sold! Description - The Ultimate Secluded Getaway refresh your minds and hearts in a Virginia Mountain Cabin! Three luxurious and romantic cabins on a secluded 40-acre ridge just minutes form Historic Lexington. All cabins feature king beds, double oversize Jacuzzi whirlpool tubs, wood burning fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, charcoal grills, DIRECTV w/hbo, VCR/DVD, heat & A/C and furnished front porches. We provide all bed & bath linens and firewood (in season). Call toll free: or click on our web site. Description - "Once you arrive the stress just melts away!" We invite you to experience the luxury of our unique vacation rental properties on nearly 300 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with stunning mountain views. Description - SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF THE SHENANDOAH RIVER- 2 Master Bedroom Suites -private deck entrances -HotTub. River Access within walking Distance-Luray Caverns / Shenandoah River Outfitters within minutes! Description - Shenandoah Woods is a private 200 acre valley in the shadows of the Shenandoah National Park near Luray, Virginia offering vacation cabins and lodges and wedding venues. Annual Virginia Wine & Garlic Festival at Rebec Vineyards. 231+/- acres of nice farmland and timberland convenient to Route 29 and the Madison County Wineries.$885,000. Swanhilda. On 54+/- acres, this farm offers a lovely stable/kennel, a guest cottage and hay fields. Lovely circa 1731 home.

8 $998,000. Virginia Cattle Farms for Sale. If you would like to receive updates on Charlottesville area farms as they come of the market, send us an and describe your ideal Virginia farm and we will send you notices whenever a farm meeting your criteria comes on the market. Description - Nature's Peak is nestled in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, famously known for it's Blue Ridge Mountains. Our cabin sits near the edge of the Shenandoah National Park ensuring that you'll have breathtaking views during your stay. Sip & Stay at 7 of These Vineyard Properties in Charlottesville Area Wine Country. Build your dream home and farm on these 21 acres along the Route 151 Brew Ridge Trail in Afton, Virginia. Beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain views and convenient to Charlottesville and Staunton. $549,000. Description - Smith Mountain Lake is famous for pristine waters, world-class fishing, friendly folks, water sports, and a relaxed atmosphere.smith Mountain Lake's premier vacation rental company, we invite you to make one of our homes yours for a vacation, reunion, honeymoon or weekend getaway to experience the beauty of Smith Mountain Lake. RSI Rentals has the largest selection of vacation rental homes available, so call us today and get started planning your best family vacation ever! Located in the Somerset area of Madison County is this Virginia Cattle farm with feedlot on 365+/- acres. $2,250,000. Description - Royal oaks is at miles post 16 in Love Va. We have 10 luxury cabins at 3000ft.elevation on the blue ridge parkway. Cabins have 2 person Jacuzzi in front of the fireplace, some with outdoor hot tub, equipped kitchens.