Plan a Spectacular Winery Tour in Northern Virginia
Move over, California! Virginia has rapidly grown in wine production for decades. The Northern Virginian area itself has dozens of wineries to explore. Whether you want a romantic picnic overlooking the mountains or a fun excursion for your kids, Northern Virginia has plenty of great winery options just one hour outside of Washington, D.C. Here’s a guide to great wines and wineries in Northern Virginia.
A Quick Look at Virginia’s Wine History
“Good wine is a necessity of life for me.”
Hoping to create an American wine industry, in 1619, the Virginia House of Burgesses passed Acte 12 requiring land-owning colonists to plant at least 10 grape vines on their property. Diseases, however, doomed this early initiative and Virginia’s flourishing tobacco industry overshadowed interest in creating Virginia wine.
Still, Virginians such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson continued to try to cultivate wine on their land and advocate for American wine-making. In 1759, Charles Carter started growing grapes on his property and by 1762, his wines earned the first international acclaim for an American wine.
Virginia wine continued to grow in prominence, culminating in a Virginia Norton wine being named “best red wine of all nations” at the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair. All that progress was halted with Prohibition in the 1920s. It wasn’t until the past few decades when Virginia experienced a new renaissance in wineries. In 1995, Virginia had 46 wineries. Today, Virginia has over 300.
Virginia Red Wines
Norton is America’s oldest wine grape, first cultivated in Richmond in the 1820s. It is the oldest native Northern American varietal. Norton wines are deep red, age well, and are known for their rich, fruity aromas and flavors.
Cabernet Franc provides a spicy, peppery wine, which can showcase fruity, floral, and tobacco notes.
Petit Verdot is Virginian vineyards’ response to those who want bigger, bolder styles of reds. Typically used in Bordeaux blends, this purplish varietal’s flavors and tannins play nicely with cabernets and merlots. Its perfume can be characterized from fruity and spicy to herbal.
Virginia White Wines
The most planted grape in Virginia is Chardonnay, but as of 2011, Viognier (VEE-own-yay) is Virginia’s signature grape. Though grown in very few places, defense contractor Dennis Horton planted some Viognier in Madison County, and found that this grape thrives in Virginia’s long, hot summers. In 1993, Horton’s Viognier won first prize in a California wine competition and now 76 of Virginia’s vineyards plant the varietal. A medium- to full-bodied wine with floral, tropical, or fruity notes. Though it can be produced in a sweet or sparkling style, Viognier is typically dry. British wine guru Oz Clarke says Viognier “oozes sex and sensuality.”
Despite Viognier being the official Virginia grape, Petit Manseng is becoming Virginia’s most popular white varietal. A Virginia Tech professor brought Petit Manseng from its traditional home Southwest France to Virginia in 1987. Known for their diminutive stature, Petit Manseng grapes add floral, spicy, and tropical notes to wines in which they are incorporated. Petit Manseng grapes are high in sugar, but their natural high acidity provides balance as the introduction of Petit Manseng in blends adds intrigue and body.
Other Virginia Wines
Other wines grown in Virginia include Cabernet Sauvignon and Chambourcin (red), Vidal Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc (whites), rose, sparkling wine, fruit wines, and meads.
Tips for Visiting a Northern Virginia Winery
Plan Transportation
A designated driver is essential for small parties. For larger parties, a car or limo service would be ideal. None of these vineyards are metro-accessible. Further it can be hard to get signal to call an Uber and the distant nature of these wineries means an affordable Uber to may also be distant. It’s possible to winery hop, because some of the wineries aren’t too far away from one another, but a car would facilitate the process. Some may be close enough to bike between but bike lanes are hardly guaranteed. A car is your best bet.
Do Your Research
Since 2020, I have learned to call ahead to any place I plan on going to ensure it will be open and operating as I expect. Covid means we can’t depend on websites or Google being updated. Maybe wine tastings are closed now but the winery is thinking of opening up soon. It would be a shame to miss out on visiting a winery because it doesn’t yet offer what you want, but it could soon.
Make Reservations
Most of these vineyards require reservations during Covid and perhaps afterwards. It’s also helpful for the customers to ensure that the vineyard won’t be so crowded that you can’t properly socially distance.
Dress Appropriately
In the winter, be sure to bring your coat. But even in the summer, wine tasting rooms can be overly air-conditioned.
Don’t Make an Overambitious Itinerary
Each of these wineries is fun enough to spend a beautiful day at by itself. You’ll be plenty happy going to one winery and whiling the day away, promise.
Plan for Food and Water
Wine is not a replacement for water! Remember to stay hydrated, especially if you’re planning to spend the day outside somewhere. People often forget to drink enough water.
Most wineries have on-site food or food trucks. Of course, you don’t need to eat at every winery on your stop – so try to schedule your noontime or dinner-time wineries as the ones with the most delicious food. Still, you shouldn’t assume that there will be food for every type of diet or allergy. Many of these wineries allow you to bring outside food in and set up your own picnic. Further, remember to ensure that any children or pets you plan to take with you will be well-fed and hydrated. And it never hurts to have a few extra snacks in your car.
Plan a Northern Virginia Winery Tour
Now of course you want to know which wineries you should visit and why! I’ve divided this list into itineraries and one-offs. This isn’t Napa Valley – this is Northern Virginia! The geographical area is huge and it can mean that some wineries are an hour’s drive from another. Personally I
Northern Virginia Vineyard Itineraries
Middleburg Winery Tour
Chrysalis Vineyard
Middleburg
After selling her computer-software company in 1995, winemaker Jennifer McCloud attended a wine conference and three years later, started a vineyard herself. The Norton grape is the jewel of Chrysalis – most disease-and mold-resistant grape – which means it’s sustainable. The grape is very clean and pure without the skunky (“foxiness”) of European grapes. Named after Daniel Norton of Richmond, VA, Norton is the quintessential homegrown Virginia grape.
It was Alan Kinne’s discussions of what Virginia was doing with wine varieties including Viognier that inspired McCloud to start a vineyard in the first place. Try the Chrysalis Viognier.
Greenhill Winery
Middleburg
Greenhill Winery is all about transparency. The winery grants you a 3-D tour and amazing videos on their website before visiting. No surprises here! Try Greenhill’s Blanc de Blanc made a la Methode Champenoise – the intricate traditional method for making Champagne. The place is pet friendly but no children.
50 West Vineyards
Middleburg
50 West is rich with history, being located in an old horse farm on Civil War battle area. The tasting room is a converted horse stable that offers stunning views of the Bull Run Mountain range. 50 West grows three grape varietals – Cabernet Sauvignon, Albariño, and Sauvignon Blanc. 50 West is a mix of old and new where it uses old world winemaking techniques in a solar powered wine facility at their sister winery, Sunset Hills.
Purcellville Wine Itinerary
Sunset Hills Winery
Purcellville
While the sun is up, Sunset Hills makes wine – with 245 solar panels powering 75% of the winery’s needs. When the sun goes down, enjoy the huge variety of wines offered. In addition to the typical Virginia varietals, you can also try Traminette, VidalBlanc, Chambourcin, Tannat, and Sangiovese. Pet- and kid-friendly. In addition to green energy, the vineyards’ commitment to the environment includes raising bluebirds, tree swallows, and Monarch butterflies. Come in the spring and feel like a modern-day Cinderella.
Located less than 10 miles west of Leesburg, 8 Chains North provides a beautiful tasting, room, vineyard views and private event space. This is one of the few wineries in the area where the owner, the grower, and the winemaker are all one person.
Breaux Vineyards
Purcellville
With 104 of its 404-acres covered in grapes, Breax is the largest winery in Loudoun County in terms of production and area. Come visit the breathtaking cherry trees and see the sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains. Try any vintage of Nebbiolo (a famous grape in Virginia) or see how the Italian Piemonte grape variety fares in Virginia.
Wine guru Oz Clarke named Breaux’s Viognier 2012 as one of the 250 best wines in the world – one of only three wines from the U.S. to win this honor.
One and Out Wineries
These wineries are a bit more isolated from its vineyard friends. Of course, sometimes one winery is all you need. Each of these wineries is certainly interesting enough to make it a trip by themselves and since they’re all still in Northern Virginia, and actually are some of the closest wineries to Washington, D.C., it’s not a huge drive to get to any of them.
Bull Run Winery
Centreville
Bull Run Winery is the closest Northern Virginia winery to Washington, D.C. Located on 225 acres of land in the heart of a Manassas Battlefield, Bull Run Winery has a huge commitment to telling the history of Fairfax County. The winery is also committed to making and showcasing wines with 100% Virginia grapes.
In the winter, enjoy the winery’s heated tents and patios and tour the indoor production barn. Outside there are expansive picnic lawns, a horse farm, and firepits with s’mores kits. There is live music every weekend night. Enjoy delicious food courtesy of a variety of food trucks. Outdoor Civil War historical walking tours are held Friday-Sunday.
Paradise Springs Winery
Clifton
Less than an hour outside of Washington, D.C., Paradise Springs is one of the closest wineries to the city. Named after mineral springs of Clifton. Come visit an eighteenth century log cabin which was renovated by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright.
Stone Tower Winery
Leesburg
The 306-acre property at Stone Tower Winery provides majestic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and their own Viognier and Chardonnay vineyards from its two-story deck.
Potomac Point Winery
Stafford
A unique way this winery is keeping winter visitors warm and safe is personal wine tents that can fit 4-8 guests. The tents are heated, offer food and beverage service, and overlook the vineyard. The 2017 Petit Verdot won a gold medal at the 2020 Virginia Governor’s cup. Also try the Petit Manseng, Viognier, and Norton wines here.
Or Visit the Virginia Wine Expo
If you want even more wines to try, Northern Virginia has a buffet of wines. In October, try over 200 wines and dozens of ciders at the Virginia Wine Expo in Ashburn. Admission includes access to the VA Oyster pavilion. Over 9,000 oysters were shucked at the last event, ensuring that people really like having a good time.
Plan a Northern Virginia Winery Tour
With COVID, it's more important than ever to support our local homegrown businesses, and that includes Northern Virginia wineries. The Virginia winery business is just starting to blossom and it’s a great socially-distanced activity, even in the winter. And let’s be honest, drinking wine and being in nature are great pandemic activities. So let’s raise a glass to our favorite Northern Virginia wineries!
