Five Virginia Wineries with Breathtaking Views
In Virginia, love is all you need. It filters through our world-renowned oysters, ignites a passion in our award-winning chefs, pours a story into our celebrated craft spirits and cultivates Thomas Jefferson’s dream of creating a successful Virginia vineyard into every vine of Virginia’s more than 250 beautiful wineries. Today, we’re no longer a budding wine industry: we’ve arrived.
Over the past several years, Virginia has become a bona fide wine destination for culinary travelers and oenophiles alike. Virginia wine has captured the attention of internationally-esteemed wine experts such as Oz Clarke and Ray Isle, who have praised the sophisticated tastes of our wine and the terroir from which its grapes grow. But you don’t have to be a wine expert to enjoy Virginia’s exceptional wines—and spectacular views.
Virginia’s wineries dot every corner of the Commonwealth, from coast to cliff, so you’re never far from an afternoon of sipping Virginia wine with incredibly scenic views.
Here are just a handful of our favorite Virginia wineries offering breathtaking views. Mr. Jefferson would be proud.
1. King Family Vineyards
Located just 15 miles west of Charlottesville at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, King Family Vineyards is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine—and the scenery. With a covered veranda, expansive lawn, and brick patio, King Family offers beautiful mountain views for outdoor picnics, while the Tasting Room and stone fireplace offer a warm, cozy respite on chillier days. In the summertime, King Family hosts polo matches on the grounds each Sunday.
Set on 200 acres of rolling hills in Loudoun County is the stunning Stone Tower Winery. The rustic Harvest Barn tasting room offers an inviting atmosphere to taste Current Vintages or the Reserve Collection. Just 45 miles from Washington, D.C., Stone Tower is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city living and soak up the majestic views atop Hogback Mountain.
3. Trump Winery
There are few things more breathtaking than turning the corner just past the entrance of Trump Winery, located in Charlottesville. From the rolling hills to the peaceful pond to the gorgeous architecture of the buildings dreamed up by Patricia Kluge, Trump Winery offers some of the best views in the Commonwealth. Enjoy a sparkling, effervescent glass of blanc de blanc while taking in nearly 1,300 acres of scenic views. Stop by Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello on your way for a truly Virginia experience.
4. Chatham Vineyards
For a winery with a coastal flair, visit Chatham Vineyards on Virginia’s gorgeous Eastern Shore. Take a step back in time to this serene and beautiful winery –the 20 acres of vineyards at Chatham line farmland that has been in continuous use since 1640. World-renowned wine writer Oz Clarke touted Chatham’s Church Creek Chardonnay as the “best seafood pairing wine” he had ever tasted. For an extra special experience, rent a kayak from Cape Charles’ Southeast Expeditions and paddle your way to the winery. You won’t regret it.
5. Early Mountain Vineyards
Located in Madison at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Early Mountain Vineyards sits on 300 acres of picturesque terroir. Take a bottle of your choosing and some delicacies from the Marketplace out onto the terrace to enjoy Virginia’s beautiful countryside. After visiting Early Mountain, be sure to visit the other wonderful wineries along the Monticello Wine Trail!
These are just a few of the many gorgeous wineries across the state. To learn more about Virginia wine, and to plan your next vineyard adventure, visit www.virginia.org/wine.
Image Credit: Lead Image — Trump Winery, Virginia Tourism Corporation; King Family Vineyards, Virginia Tourism Corporation; Stone Tower Winery, Virginia Tourism Corporation; Trump Winery, Virginia Tourism Corporation; Chatham Vineyards — Cameron Davidson, Virginia Tourism Corporation; Early Mountain Vineyards — Sarah Hauser, Virginia Tourism Corporation.
Special thanks to Virginia Tourism and Caroline Logan for contributing this guide to Easy Goer.