Although not as famous as some states for vineyards, Virginia is for wine lovers. Here are the best Virginia wineries to visit, whether you’re looking for an elegant pinot noir in a tasting room or a beautiful place to enjoy sparkling wine at a picnic table.
A guide to navigating Virginia wine country + tips for your visit
Virginia wine country is a rapidly growing tourist destination. The area is home to more than 300 wineries and hosted more than 2.3 million wine tourists in 2018. If you’re looking to explore Virginia’s wine country, this guide will help you navigate the best wineries, vineyards, and wine tours in the area.
Indeed, Virginia wine country is a must-visit for any wine lover. The area has a temperate climate, making it ideal for growing various grapes that result in delicious wines. Virginia wine country experiences two main seasons: the autumnal harvest in early October and the spring harvest in late May or early June. During these times, vineyards and wineries open their doors to the public for tastings and tours.
Visitors to Virginia wine country can enjoy touring the wineries and trying out their wines. Most wineries offer tastings and food options, such as cheese plates and charcuterie boards, that pair well with their wines.
These vineyards run up and down the western portion of the state, a region full of gorgeous mountain towns and an excellent area for a Virginia weekend getaway.
To make the most of your visit:
- Some of these vineyards charge a tasting fee, and some don’t. Most are in the ten-dollar range, so not a huge deal either way.
- Don’t expect to eat a full meal. Most Virginia wineries offer light snacks.
- When in doubt, try the cabernet franc or cabernet sauvignon. According to the tours we have been on, this grape grows very well in the Virginia climate and produces some of the region’s best wine.
- The pandemic has caused many of these vineyards to require reservations. Call before you arrive!
- Some of these are pet friendly, some are not. Check before bringing your furry friend.
The best Virginia wineries
Need a quick recommendation? We aren’t wine experts and can’t recommend the best Virginia wines. But as far as our favorite vineyards? We love Veritas for its cozy and beautiful tasting room. Chateau Morrisette is another favorite for its gorgeous location and one of the best vineyard tours.
1. King Family Vineyards
King Family Vineyards is a winery located in Crozet, Virginia. They are known for their award-winning wines and have produced wine since the early 2000s. They offer tastings, tours, and wine sales.
In addition, King Family Vineyards is a popular spot for wine tastings and polo matches. Polo matches are held every Sunday morning, and guests can enjoy wine tastings year-round. The property also includes a 12-acre polo field.
The King Family Vineyards is one of the best wineries in Virginia. Visitors can enjoy a wine tasting for $10 that includes five wines, or they can purchase reserve wines from the Library Room. The on-site shop sells wine, snacks, and souvenirs, making it the perfect place to pick up a bottle of wine or a unique gift.
This location has a laid-back feel, so if you’re nervous about being around snobby people, this is the perfect spot.
2. Veritas Vineyard and Winery
Located in Afton, Virginia, Veritas Vineyard and Winery is a beautiful winery that offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Those who prefer the outdoors can settle in on the large veranda and soak in the views. The winery is open year-round, but during warmer months, you can relax on the terrace with a glass of bubbly, while the fireplace and leather sofas pair perfectly with Petit Verdot when it’s chilly out.
Veritas Vineyard and Winery is one of the best vineyards in Virginia. It offers a variety of exquisite wines, beautiful mountain views, and incredible food. Guests can also enjoy friendly staff who are more than happy to answer any questions about the winemaking process.
3. Rosemont of Virginia
Rosemont of Virginia is a winery located in La Crosse, VA. It has 450 sprawling acres of farming land operated by the Rose family since 1858. The vineyard grows various grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Viognier. In addition to wine production, the farm also offers tours and tastings.
At Rosemont of Virginia, wine tastings are offered every day for $10. This price includes samplings of all the winery’s current vintages. In addition, free tours of Rosemont’s production area, barrel room, and art gallery are available without a reservation.
Rosemont of Virginia wines is light and easy to drink, perfect for special occasions or everyday drinking. The winery is open to the public seven days a week and offers wine tastings and tours.
4. Chatham Vineyards
Chatham Vineyards is a picturesque vineyard and winery near the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The vineyard offers stunning views of the water and the surrounding farmland, making it a popular destination for wine tours. The winery produces a wide variety of wines, including reds, whites, rosés, and dessert wines.
Chatham Vineyards is a great place to visit if you want a wine tour in Virginia. The property features 32,000 vines growing different types of grapes. In addition, to sampling Chatham’s wines, you can also buy some bottles to take home with you. Some of their most popular wines include the 2017 Church Creek Steel Chardonnay, which pairs well with oysters cultivated steps from where the grapes were grown.
Chatham Vineyards is one of the best wineries in Virginia. The vineyard overlooks the Blue Ridge Mountains, and visitors can enjoy tastings and tours. The tastings are only $8, and the tasting room is open daily.
5. Afton Mountain Vineyards
Afton Mountain Vineyards is located in Central Virginia, about 25 miles west of Charlottesville.
Afton Mountain Vineyards is a vineyard that spans 82 acres and grows 11 different varietals. The vineyard has been family-owned and operated for over 25 years, making it one of the most experienced in Virginia.
6. Linden Vineyards
Linden Vineyards is a winery located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northern Virginia. The vineyard was founded by Jim and Eleanor Linden in 1979 and produced award-winning wines for over 35 years. The vineyard offers wine tastings, tours, and events throughout the year.
Linden Vineyards is a winery that is known for producing award-winning wines. In addition to wine production, the vineyard operates a restaurant and retail store on the property. The store sells wine products and food items such as cheeses and charcuterie boards.
If you’re looking for a great Virginia winery to visit, Linden Vineyards is a great option. They offer tastings and wine sales in the tasting room and outside the patio. You don’t need reservations for basic tastings or reserve cellar tastings, and free tours are offered on Saturday and Sunday mornings from April to December.
7. Chateau Morrisette Winery
The Chateau Morrisette Winery is located in Floyd, VA, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a popular tourist destination for those who love wine and nature and one of the very best Virginia mountain towns. The winery offers tastings, tours, and events throughout the year.
After you’ve finished your wine tasting, be sure to go on a tour of the vineyard. You’ll get to see where the grapes are grown and learn about the winemaking process. And if you’re hungry, the Chateau Morrisette Winery also has a great patio where you can eat lunch overlooking the mountains.
At Chateau Morrisette Winery, dog lovers have a place to enjoy wine and each other’s company. Dogs are welcome at the winery, so long as they are on a leash. This means that you can bring your furry friend along on your wine tour and enjoy some of Virginia’s best wines together.
8. Rappahannock Cellars
This vineyard is a family-owned boutique winery that started in California then moved to Virginia.
It’s located in Rappahannock County, west of the Northern Virginia suburbs and just a few minutes from Shenandoah National Park.
They offer a wine club that ships a few bottles of wine to your home per month. It also allows you to enjoy private rooms and events, and wine tastings without the tasting fee. If you’re local, it’s fun and well worth it.
They have a small restaurant, a few tasting rooms, and an outdoor patio where you can enjoy a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
9. Keswick Vineyards
Keswick Vineyards is an estate located in Keswick, Virginia, with a history dating back to the Civil War era. The vineyard was first planted in 1864 and is still operational today. It offers wine tastings, tours, and events.
10. Early Mountain Vineyards
Early Mountain Vineyards is a winery located in Madison, Virginia. The vineyard offers wine tastings, tours, and events.
Early Mountain Vineyards is a winery located in Madison, Virginia. They are known for their award-winning wines and are the first estate winery in Nelson County. In addition to wine tastings, they offer tours of the vineyard and production facilities. They also partner with other Virginia wineries and serve tasting flights with wines from all over the state.
11. Potomac Point Winery
Potomac Point Winery is a winery located in Stafford, Virginia. It offers wine tastings, tours, and events.
An easy drive from Northern Virginia and DC, this winery is not in the mountains and is an excellent choice if you’re looking for something outside the Shenandoah Valley. They offer wine tastings and tours and have a small gift shop on site. They also partner with other wineries to offer tasting flights with wines from all over the state.
12. Stone Tower Winery
In Leesburg, Virginia, this winery is elegant… and expensive. Tours start in the $100 range if you want to see the real estate and enjoy a tasting.
We haven’t taken the tour, but everything here is beautifully done, from the labels to their wine club to their tasting room, complete with a fireplace. If you’re an exacting person, you’ll probably enjoy this Northern Virginia winery.
13. Barboursville Vineyards
Well known for their cabernet franc, this large and beautiful vineyard is near Charlottesville and part of the Monticello wine trail.
Barboursville Vineyards has a full restaurant and inn and feels more like a resort than a vineyard. Another elegant choice for wine lovers with high expectations.
Enjoy your trip
If you’re looking for a fun day trip or want to enjoy Virginia wines without having to drive too far, these are some great wineries to check out. They offer wine tastings, tours, and events so you can enjoy everything the vineyards have to offer.