Virginia stands as America’s fifth-largest wine producer with over 300 wineries spread throughout its varied landscape. The misty peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains and sun-drenched shores of the Chesapeake Bay create a wine country experience that matches California’s famous vineyards.
Several distinct regions host Virginia’s best wineries, each with its own unique tasting experiences. Visitors can tour historic estates near Charlottesville and find hidden gems in Northern Virginia just outside Washington DC. The coastal vineyards along the Eastern Shore add another dimension to the state’s wine scene. This piece features 10 destinations that showcase exceptional wines, stunning views, and unforgettable tasting experiences.
Discover Virginia’s Premier Mountain Wineries
The Blue Ridge Mountains hide some of Virginia’s most beautiful wineries. These spots blend amazing wine tasting with stunning mountain views.
Blue Ridge Mountains hidden gems
Ankida Ridge Vineyards is a mountain treasure at 1,700 feet, making it one of Virginia’s highest vineyards. This family runs their estate, named to mean “where Heaven and Earth join.” They produced Virginia’s first Pinot and welcome visitors to a genuine, rustic setting.
Hidden Vineyard in Dobson welcomes guests to a cozy spot where they can learn about winemaking while taking in countryside views. Its quiet location makes it a peaceful alternative to busier wineries.
Stunning vineyard vistas
Early Mountain Vineyards has some of Virginia’s most beautiful landscapes. A large fireplace keeps the outdoor patio warm all year. The vineyard earned the title of America’s #1 tasting room, and guests can enjoy spectacular Blue Ridge Mountain views.
Virginia Mountain Vineyards sits on 91 acres between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. Visitors can enjoy sweeping views that match perfectly with their wine selection. The estate features:
- 13 specially prepared wines
- Gazebo and patio seating
- Picturesque mountain views
- Serene estate vines
Year-round tasting experiences
These mountain wineries welcome visitors in every season. Barboursville Vineyard has two tasting rooms with fireplaces where guests can try 17 current vintages. Valhalla Vineyards adds something special with guided tours of their underground barrel caves.
Early Mountain makes tasting special with their “Taste of Virginia” program. They carefully select wines from outstanding vineyards across the state. Visitors can compare different wines while enjoying chef-prepared pairings that highlight local flavors.
Mountain wineries adapt well to changing seasons. Many have warm indoor spaces for winter and open outdoor areas that show off amazing views in warmer months. These spaces work perfectly for both small tastings and bigger groups throughout the year.
Explore Historic Charlottesville Wine Region
The Charlottesville wine region’s rich history makes it a cornerstone of America’s winemaking heritage. The Monticello Wine Trail shines as its crown jewel. This renowned trail features over 40 distinctive wineries within a 25-mile radius of Charlottesville. These vintages honor both tradition and groundbreaking approaches.
Monticello Wine Trail highlights
The Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA) has one-third of Virginia’s vineyard acres. The area has grown into a premier wine destination. The trail’s exceptional features include:
- Unique geographical features protected by the Blue Ridge Mountains
- Distinctive soil conditions perfect for European grape varieties
- More than 40 vineyards within easy access of Charlottesville
- Year-round tasting experiences and seasonal festivals
Thomas Jefferson’s wine legacy
Thomas Jefferson earned his title as America’s “first distinguished viticulturist” through his work at Monticello. His bold 1807 experiment planted 287 rooted vines and cuttings of 24 European grape varieties. This showed his steadfast dedication to American viticulture. His personal winemaking attempts didn’t succeed, yet his vision created the foundation for one of America’s most celebrated wine regions.
Jefferson’s passion went beyond growing grapes. During his presidency, he spent an average of $3,200 per year on wine in his first term. This investment showed how much he wanted to build a sophisticated wine culture in America.
Award-winning vintages
The region’s success today is way beyond the reach and influence of Jefferson’s original vision. The Charlottesville area and Monticello AVA earned the prestigious Wine Region of the Year award from Wine Enthusiast in 2023. They competed against prominent international regions like Provence in France and Victoria in Australia.
Member wineries prove their excellence by winning nearly half of all gold medals in the annual Virginia Governor’s Cup wine competition. This achievement expresses the region’s ability to produce exceptional wines, especially when you have varieties like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Viognier.
The wine industry drives Virginia’s economy, contributing $1.70 billion in 2019. Winemakers since the 1970s have become skilled at growing grapes suited to Virginia’s unique terroir. Their success finally meets Jefferson’s dream of creating a thriving wine region in Virginia’s heart.
Experience Unique Vineyard Activities
Virginia’s wineries go beyond standard wine tastings to create experiences that connect visitors with winemaking. You can explore the state’s rich wine culture through activities that make lasting memories all year round.
Seasonal harvest festivals
Fall brings lively harvest celebrations to Virginia’s wine country. Breaux Vineyards throws their annual Harvest Festival with grape cluster guessing contests, sparkling wine flights, and local bands like Benton & McKay and Eclectic Company playing live music. Ashton Creek Vineyard welcomes guests to join their signature harvest celebrations that pair estate-grown wines with local food.
Notable harvest events include:
- The Festival of the Grape, which pairs Virginia’s best vintages with craft beverages and food trucks
- Paradise Springs Winery’s three-day Harvest Party Weekend
- Revelation Vineyards’ cozy harvest wine dinners
Wine pairing dinners
Virginia wineries create sophisticated dining experiences year-round. Lost Creek Winery’s “Terroir to Table” experience lets guests enjoy family-style dinners among the vines. Their menu pairs estate wines with dishes like apple fennel salad and prime rib.
Fox Meadow Winery creates magical evenings with their Autumn Dinner in the Vines. Guests dine by candlelight next to Cabernet Franc vines while they take in mountain views and live music. The four-course menu features local favorites like cherry bourbon drummettes and bacon-wrapped pinwheel filet.
Educational tasting workshops
Wine enthusiasts can deepen their knowledge through Virginia Wine & Spirits Academy’s professional certification courses from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and Wine Scholar Guild. These programs help both industry professionals and wine lovers learn more about wine.
Purple Wolf Vineyard combines wine appreciation with lavender cultivation. A $9 self-guided audio tour takes visitors through lavender fields and teaches them about growing processes. The fee also lets guests enter the Discovery Area and pick seasonal lavender.
Piedmont Virginia Community College teaches specialized courses in:
- Viticulture (grape growing)
- Enology (winemaking)
- Tasting Room Management
- Wine Club Management
Virginia wine industry professionals lead these hands-on learning programs. Students get both classroom instruction and real experience in local vineyards and wineries.
Luxury Wine Experiences in Virginia
Virginia’s finest wineries take the traditional tasting room experience to new heights of luxury and sophistication.
Private tasting rooms
Stone Tower Winery welcomes guests to their premium Tower View Tasting Room. This adults-only sanctuary lets visitors enjoy wines in cozy settings with leather couches around a warming gas fireplace. The Virginia Wine Experience at The Homestead brings together the Commonwealth’s finest vintages. Guests can enjoy distinct wine flights and private dinners with prominent winery owners.
Early Mountain Vineyards makes wine tasting special with their “Taste of Virginia” program. They showcase carefully selected wines from outstanding vineyards throughout the state. Expert guides lead private tastings paired with chef-prepared local delicacies.
Exclusive wine clubs
Early Mountain’s Wine Club comes with impressive benefits:
- Four seasonal shipments averaging $135 per delivery
- 15% discount on all wines and retail items
- Exclusive member weekend events with complimentary flights
- Priority access to new and limited releases
- Complimentary glasses of wine for members and guests
The Winery at Bull Run has three membership tiers in their Generals Club. Members receive quarterly selections of premium wines at 15% off retail prices. Wine enthusiasts will love Barboursville Vineyards’ Library 1821. This weekend-only tasting room serves their finest vintages with carefully selected small bites.
Vineyard accommodation options
The Albemarle Estate at Trump Winery stands as a crown jewel of wine country luxury. A 45-room neo-Georgian mansion sits on 1,300 acres. Guests enjoy amenities like a private movie theater, heated swimming pool, and billiards room. The estate serves à la carte breakfast in the dining room, and seasonal fare awaits at the adjacent tasting room.
The Farmhouse at Veritas welcomes guests to a restored 1836 building. Eight elegant rooms overlook the vineyards and Blue Ridge foothills. The experience includes three-course breakfasts with Veritas sparkling wine and four-course dinners paired with estate wines.
Wedmore Place at The Williamsburg Winery features 28 European-style rooms. Options range from traditional rooms with antique furniture to spacious 1,100-square-foot suites. Executive Chef Ian Robbins creates seasonal menus at the elegant Café Provençal. His dishes highlight local ingredients and complement the estate’s wines perfectly.
Hidden Coastal Wine Destinations
Virginia’s eastern waters hide some remarkable wineries that create distinctive coastal wines. These wines reflect their maritime surroundings and tell stories as deep as the region’s past.
Chesapeake Bay wineries
The Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail earned its spot as Virginia’s #1 Wine Trail in 2020. Nine outstanding wineries dot the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula along this trail. Wind Vineyards at Laurel Grove shows what innovation can achieve. Their chambourcin grabbed a Gold medal at the 2023 Governor’s Cup competition.
What makes this trail special:
- Wines crafted to match perfectly with seafood, winning awards along the way
- Breathtaking Chesapeake waterfront scenery
- Tastings available throughout all seasons
- Local families keeping traditions alive through their vineyards
Eastern Shore vintners
Virginia’s most remote wine region, the Eastern Shore AVA, thrives in its moderate maritime climate. Chatham Vineyards, 24 years old, showcases the region’s possibilities with its 20-acre vineyard. They produce between 3,000 and 5,000 cases each year. This historic land, first documented in 1640, blends centuries-old farming heritage with today’s winemaking methods.
Holly Grove Vineyards sits on Holly Grove Cove. This family runs their vineyard where Atlantic Ocean breezes shape wines that capture the local terroir. They continue grape-growing traditions that trace back to Native American farming practices.
Waterfront tasting rooms
These coastal wineries welcome visitors in special ways. Jacey Vineyards stands out nationwide. Guests can arrive by boat at any of their seven private docks. Wine tasting here comes with extra treats – you might catch glimpses of oystermen at work or spot yellow-crowned night herons and osprey soaring overhead.
Chatham Vineyards brings wine and seafood together beautifully. They host Shore oyster roasts, festivals, and raw bar tastings. Their $15 steel-fermented Chardonnay pairs perfectly with local favorites like steamed crab claws and crab cakes.
Eastern Shore wines show their character through distinct minerality that naturally complements the region’s seafood and produce. This beautiful partnership between wine growing and seafood harvesting makes Virginia’s coastal wine country unique. Here, vineyard views include working watermen and maritime wildlife, creating an experience unlike any other.
Virginia’s wine country shows how far winemaking has come since Thomas Jefferson first planted his grapes centuries ago. Today’s award-winning wineries welcome wine lovers of all types. You’ll find mountain views in the Blue Ridge, historic charm in Charlottesville, and beautiful coastlines along the Chesapeake Bay.
Virginia’s wine story comes alive differently in each region. Mountain wineries showcase spectacular views with cozy tasting rooms you can visit year-round. The Monticello Wine Trail carries on Jefferson’s dream through excellent wines. Near the coast, waterfront tastings and seafood pairings add a maritime touch to the experience.
These wineries go beyond simple tastings. Harvest festivals bring communities together while workshops teach wine appreciation. Many locations now feature luxury lodging and private tasting spaces that take wine tourism to new levels.
More than 300 wineries now dot Virginia’s landscape, making it one of America’s top wine destinations. Each spot tells a piece of Virginia’s story through its cultural heritage and natural beauty. Wine lovers will find their perfect match somewhere in the state’s rich tapestry of vineyards that blend history, luxury and authentic charm.
Here are some FAQs about wineries in Virginia:
Does Virginia have good vineyards?
Yes, Virginia is home to many high-quality vineyards that produce exceptional wines. Known for its diverse terroir and climate, the state is ideal for winemaking. The best wineries in Virginia showcase everything from bold reds to crisp whites, offering wine enthusiasts a variety of choices.
What area in Virginia has the most wineries?
Northern Virginia has the highest concentration of wineries in the state, making it a prime destination for wine lovers. The best wineries in Northern Virginia are renowned for their picturesque settings and top-tier wines. Many wineries near DC are easily accessible, making the region perfect for a weekend escape.
Does Virginia have a wine country?
Yes, Virginia boasts a thriving wine country with several well-known regions like Loudoun County and Charlottesville. The wineries in Northern Virginia and other parts of the state have gained recognition for their beautiful landscapes and exceptional wines. Visitors can explore wineries near Washington DC as part of their wine country experience.
Does Donald Trump own a winery in Virginia?
Yes, Donald Trump owns Trump Winery, located near Charlottesville, Virginia. It is one of the best wineries in Virginia, known for its sprawling vineyards and award-winning sparkling wines. Visitors often include it in their tours of wineries for sale in Virginia as an example of successful operations.
What wine is Virginia known for?
Virginia is particularly known for its Viognier, a fragrant white wine that thrives in the region’s climate. Many of the best wineries in Virginia offer this varietal, often alongside Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. These wines can be found at wineries near DC, showcasing Virginia’s unique wine profile.
What town has the most wineries?
Middleburg, located in Northern Virginia, is known for having a high concentration of wineries. It’s home to some of the best wineries in Northern Virginia, offering visitors a charming combination of wine tasting and scenic views. Many of these wineries near Washington DC are perfect for day trips.
What is the most visited winery in the US?
Biltmore Estate Winery in Asheville, North Carolina, is the most visited winery in the United States. However, wineries in Virginia, including wineries near DC, have been growing in popularity for their unique experiences and close proximity to major urban centers like Washington DC.
How many wineries are in Virginia?
Virginia is home to over 300 wineries, offering a diverse selection of wines and experiences. The wineries in Northern Virginia, as well as those in Charlottesville and other regions, contribute to the state’s vibrant wine culture. Some of these wineries are even listed among the best wineries in Virginia.
Can you walk around a winery?
Yes, many wineries in Virginia encourage visitors to walk around and explore their beautiful grounds. Wineries in Northern Virginia often feature walking trails, vineyard tours, and scenic picnic areas. This makes them ideal for wine lovers looking for immersive experiences near Washington DC.
Where to fly into for Virginia wine country?
The best airport to fly into for Virginia wine country is Washington Dulles International Airport. It provides easy access to wineries in Northern Virginia, many of which are considered the best wineries in Virginia. Wineries near Washington DC are also conveniently located for travelers arriving by air.
What state in the US has the best wine?
California is widely regarded as the state with the best wine in the United States, thanks to its iconic Napa and Sonoma Valleys. However, the best wineries in Virginia are steadily gaining recognition for their quality and unique offerings. Wineries in Northern Virginia provide an excellent alternative for wine enthusiasts seeking a different experience.
What kind of wine do they make in Virginia?
Virginia produces a wide range of wines, including Viognier, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, which are among its signature varietals. The best wineries in Virginia excel at crafting these wines, showcasing the state’s diverse winemaking capabilities. Many of these exceptional wines can be found at wineries near Washington DC and across the state.
