Virginia is a great place to visit wineries. With more than 250 wineries located throughout the state in picturesque and historical locations, when you visit Virginia wineries, you not only taste how the state's terroir and microclimates affect the wine, but you also get a sense of the state itself. You can't go wrong visiting any of these top Virginia wineries, recommended by publications such as Washington Post, Arlington Magazine, Washingtonian Magazine, American Winery Guide, Wine Spectator, Wine Traveler, Travel Virginia, and Trip Advisor.
1. Barboursville Vineyards
Perhaps no winery in Virgina gets as much love from bloggers and publications than Barboursville Vineyards, and it's easy to see why. The winery, located at 17655 Winery Road in Barboursville, sits on a beautiful and historic 18th Century estate. The winery is open daily, and visitors can enjoy tastings and tours, explore landmark ruins, or dine in the restaurant. The tasting fee is $10 for tastings of 17 current vintage wines including whites such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio, and reds such as Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. You can also stay in the historic 1804 plantation inn and cottages if want to explore for more than a day.
2. Early Mountain Vineyards
In 2016, USA Today named Early Mountain Vineyards the #1 Tasting Room in America. Readers voted for the tasting room in the publication's 10Best Readers' Choice contest. The winery is located at 6109 Wolftown-Hood Road in Madison, and the tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday. Wine tasting prices range from $15 to $22 depending on the flight you choose, and the winery offers an array of white, red, and sparkling wines. The winery is also available as a venue for weddings and corporate events, and you can dine at the winery's restaurant, which serves regional Viriginia foods.
3. King Family Vineyards
Located at 6550 Roseland Farm in Crozet, King Family Vineyards is family owned and operated. It's a highly rated attraction on Trip Advisor, and many bloggers and publications call the vineyard out as one of Virginia's best. The winery is open daily for tastings and tours, and both walk in and reserved tastings are held (call 434-823-7800). Prices for tastings are $10 to $25 per person. The winery also has a wedding and events venue, and they even have polo matches on the grounds. Visitors praise the beauty of the setting, the knowledge of the staff, and also mention enjoying live music.
4. Potomac Point Winery
This Northern Virginia winery is located at 275 Decatur Road in Stafford. Tastings are available daily and cost between $7 and $12, and Potomac Point Winery also offers free olive oil tastings. You can also enjoy seasonal dining at the Grand Cru Bistro. Official Virginia Wine Lovers readers voted the winery one of the top 10 wineries in Virginia in 2016, and the winery has been nominated for 2019 Best Winery in Virginia by Virginia Living Magazine. It's also rated as a 5 out of 5 star wedding venue on The Knot.
5. Rappahannock Cellars
Rappahannock Cellars is located in Northern Virginia at 14437 Hume Road in Huntley. The boutique family owned winery is open daily for tours and tastings. The tasting fee is $10, and there's also a limited food menu available. The picturesque winery is also available as a venue for group events and weddings. Consumers on Trip Advisor rate the winery 4.5 out of 5 stars, and it's frequently mentioned in publications and blogs as one of the top wineries to visit in Viriginia.
6. RdV Vineyards
Wine critic James Suckling featured RdV Vineyards on his website in 2017, citing the quality of the wines there, and the winery is frequently listed by publications and bloggers on their list of top Virginia wineries. Other critics, such as Jancis Robinson and Robert Parker also rave about the wines. The winery is scenic, sitting among the bucolic fields and farmlands that surround it. It's located at 2550 Delaplane Grade Road in Delaplane. Tours and tastings are available Thursday through Sunday and costs $80 per person, but it's a premium experience. You'll start with a glass of vintage Dom Pérignon Champagne before touring the vineyards and winery. The tasting ends with a six-wine seated tasting. Reservations are required, and you can book them online.
7. Ankida Ridge Vineyards
Ankida Ridge is a different kind of Virgina Winery focusing on Burgundy varietals Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It has been successful for the winery, and the wines have received tremendous critical acclaim. The winery also produces limited runs of each wine. The winery is remotely located at 1304 Franklin Creek Road in the hills outside of Amherst, and it's open to visitors on the weekend. Visitors can enjoy panoramic scenery as they taste the wines, and the winery is available for private events. It's a little bit out of the way, but visitors love the winery, and it is frequently on top winery lists of bloggers and publications.
8. Bluemont Vineyard
The beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains are on display at Bluemont Vineyard, which is located at 18755 Foggy Bottom Road in Bluemont. It's frequently called out in publications and blogs as a top winery in Virginia to visit, and its natural beauty is definitely one reason for that. The winery is open daily for tours, tastings, and elevated experiences such as seated tastings. Cost for tastings start and $12, and reservations may be required for some experiences. The winery also offers a full farm to table menu to pair perfectly with the wines. The winery is also dog-friendly, and there are venues available for weddings and private events.
9. Chateau Morrisette
Widely recommended by bloggers and news publications as a top Virginia winery, Chateau Morrisette is located at 291 Winery Road SW in Floyd. The winery has a tasting room and offers tours, and visitors can also enjoy dining on foods made from fresh, local ingredients at the rustic casual restaurant. In fact, the restaurant was ranked by Open Table in the top 100 reviewed restaurants in the United States. The tasting room is open daily from April through December and Weekends January through March. Tastings are $10 for a flight, and tickets must be purchased at the winery. Thirty minute tours are also available.
10. Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
Reviewers visiting Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards rave about the views, food, and friendly, knowledgeable staff, and the winery is one frequently recommended by bloggers and travel publications. Located along the Monticello Wine Trail at 5022 Plan Road in North Garden, the winery has a farm-to-table restaurant, food and wine pairings in the tasting room, and spectacular views. Try the $50 per person Flights and Bites tasting experience which pairs a 3-course tapas food experience with complementary wines. Reservations are required. The winery is open Tuesday through Sunday. It is also a popular location for weddings and private events.
11. Stone Tower Winery
Stone Tower Winery is located at 19925 Hogback Mountain Road in Leesburg, and it is a popular Virginia wine destination. Visitors love the views and the lovely design of the winery and praise the friendly staff, and it's often mentioned as one of the best wineries to visit in Virginia. The winery is open Thursday through Sunday, and the family-friendly Harvest Barn is a great place to taste wines. The winery is kid-friendly and dog-friendly, but it's also adult-friendly with a second floor adults only tasting room. The Signature Tasting costs $20 for a flight of seven wines including a library release. The winery also has an event space for weddings or private events.
12. Veritas Vineyard & Winery
Located in Afton at 151 Veritas Lane, Veritas Vineyards & Winery receives 4.5 out of 5 star aggregate ratings from over 400 reviewers on Trip Advisor. Visitors can taste wines, enjoy casual dining, or sit down in the on-property fine dining restaurant. The winery is open daily with the standard tasting fee costing $10. Tours are also available. The winery also hosts frequent events and provides a venue for weddings and private events as well.
Virginia Is for Wine Lovers
Virginia has a number of fabulous wineries to visit, many within easy driving distance of major metropolitan areas. So if you're in the area and looking for something to do, why not head out to visit one of Virginia's numerous wineries?
