“Virginia is for Lovers.”
Probably one of the more well known slogans for state tourism, the phrase is meant to encompass the many aspects of the Commonwealth there are to enjoy. Virginia is for history lovers, for nature lovers, for beach lovers, and for wine lovers. There are more than 300 wineries in Virginia and a variety of “wine trails” you can follow to explore them. Winery hopping is the quintessential autumn weekend activity for Washingtonians. If you’re taking part, definitely put these six spots on your list. The wineries are listed in order of proximity to Washington, DC.
Fleetwood Farm Winery
Leesburg, VA
Loudoun County is just a short drive outside Washington, DC and offers visitors more than 40 wineries and tasting rooms to choose from. A highlight among these is Fleetwood Farm Winery. This winery was established in 1745 and has historic buildings as well as new spaces and would make a beautiful wedding venue. We grabbed two Adirondack chairs under a tree on their sprawling and shady lawn. You can order wine by the bottle, the glass, or choose from one of two flights, each with six different wines. We got a flight and a delicious flatbread. What makes Fleetwood special are their partnerships with other local businesses. The winery hosts a variety of events including floral workshops, yoga classes, and wine and food pairings with local chefs. They also have live music on Sunday afternoons. We went on a weekday and it was very low-key and peaceful.
Outside food
Vegetarian and gluten-free options
Dog-friendly
Flights
Family/baby-friendly
45 min from Washington DC
Glasses start at $10 / Bottles start at $32 / Flights are $20
https://fleetwoodfarmwinery.com/
Stone Tower Winery
Leesburg, VA
Another Loudoun County winery worth a visit is the family-owned Stone Tower Winery, where you can enjoy gorgeous views of the sprawling 300-acre estate. Stone Tower offers not one but two tasting areas. The Tower View Tasting Room is only available to members of their Wine Club. Membership involves receiving a shipment of four bottles three times per year at a cost of around $500 per year, depending on your wine preferences. Not to worry though! Non-members and walk-ins are welcome to enjoy Stone Tower from the Harvest Barn. This is what I did when I visited with some friends and it was lovely. There is a stone patio overlooking the vineyard with covered cabanas and tables with umbrellas. You can order classic backyard barbecue fare from the kitchen on the weekends, or a cheese and charcuterie board anytime. For wine, you can buy by the glass or get a bottle to share.
On the wine list, you’ll see options with two different labels. Bottles labeled Stone Tower Estate are made at Stone Tower with grapes grown on site. The Wild Boar Cellars label is wine made at Stone Tower using grapes sourced from other locations such as Napa Valley. I make no claims to be a sommelier but we had the Sauvignon Blanc and it was the perfect wine for a summer evening. They don’t offer flights but if you want to sample a range of wines, you can book a tour and tasting through their website.
Outside food
Vegetarian options
Dog-friendly
Family/baby friendly (Harvest Barn only)
Flights
1 hr from Washington DC
Glasses start at $10 / Bottles start at $30
https://www.stonetowerwinery.com/
Keswick Vineyards
Keswick, VA
Keswick Vineyards is family owned and operated and is a perennial Governor’s Cup award-winner for its wines. I really appreciate their continued practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including limiting seating to outdoor areas only and restricting groups larger than ten people during peak hours. Keswick is great even for those who don’t enjoy wine, as they also offer local ciders and craft beer. Saturdays bring food trucks and live music. No reservations required though it is recommended that groups call ahead with their expected time of arrival.
Outside food
Vegetarian options
Dog-friendly (there’s a fenced-in dog park!)
Flights
Family/baby-friendly
2 hrs from Washington DC, 20 min from Charlottesville, VA
Glasses start at $10 / Bottles start at $25 / Flights are $15
https://www.keswickvineyards.com/
Glass House Winery
Free Union, VA
Glass House Winery may win for most unique setting for a Virginia vineyard. Their greenhouse tasting room is lush and tropical, and feels more like a botanical garden than a typical tasting room. Green is not just an aesthetic, the winery is powered by solar and geo-thermal energy and uses natural pest management strategies to limit the use of pesticides. There are no reservations, seating is first come first serve and you can sit in the greenhouse, outdoors on the large wooden deck, or on the lakeside lawn. They offer a large variety of flights. If you’re feeling bold, opt for the epic 15-wine tasting that includes all of their wines or do a flight paired with the Glass House collection of handmade chocolates. They often have food trucks and live music as well. If one day doesn’t seem like enough, you have the option of staying overnight at the on-site Bed and Breakfast, which includes five spacious bedrooms in a converted barn.
Outside food
Vegetarian options
Dog-friendly
Flights
Family/baby-friendly
2.2 hrs from Washington DC, 30 min from Charlottesville, VA
Glasses start at $7 / Bottles start at $19 / Flights vary
https://glasshousewinery.com/
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyard
North Garden, VA
I actually first heard of Pippin Hill Farm as a wedding venue, and it is an absolutely beautiful space for special events. But you don’t need to be celebrating anything in particular to enjoy a day at Pippin Hill, one of 25 wineries on the Monticello wine trail. You can grab a table in their tasting room, on the veranda, or bring a blanket or chairs to enjoy the lawn. Reservations are recommended, and are required if you want to do the guided tour and tasting. The perfect spot for an autumn weekend, they typically have live music on Sundays and every Friday from late spring to early fall, they’ll feature a local farmer who will be on site to showcase and sell their products.
Outside food
Vegetarian options
Dog-friendly
Flights
Family/baby-friendly (advanced reservation required if your party has any guests under 21)
2.4 hrs from Washington DC, 20 min from Charlottesville, VA
Glasses start at $11 / Bottles start at $35 / Flights are $18
https://www.pippinhillfarm.com/
Veritas Vineyard and Winery
Afton, VA
Nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Veritas Vineyards & Winery is what bucolic dreams are made of. Owned by husband and wife Andrew and Patricia since 1999, Veritas is a true family business. They were recognized in the 2021 Virginia Governor’s Cup Case for their 2017 Petit Verdot (sold by the bottle only for $45). There are many ways to experience the winery. Advanced reservations are needed for the indoor tasting room, outdoor covered patio, and picnic table area. All four options allow you to order from the tasting room menu, which includes cheese and charcuterie boards, sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads. If you want to sample several wines, you can book a private tasting with up to eight people Friday through Sunday, or a flight of four different wines is available. Also on property is the Veritas Farmhouse, a beautiful farm-to-table restaurant and bed and breakfast offering four-course, wine-paired dinners during the week.
Outside food (on the Lawn and picnic tables only)
Vegetarian options
Dog-friendly
Flights
Family/baby-friendly
2.5 hrs from Washington DC, 30 min from Charlottesville, VA
Glasses start at $10 / Bottles start at $18 / Flights are $15