TRAVEL GUIDE
The Best Wineries in Virginia
These vineyards and wineries in Virginia offer an experience like none other
The Best Wineries in Virginia
Since the settlement of the American colonies in the early 1600s, wine has been a pillar of Virginia culture.
Indeed, with more than 300 wineries and vineyards, Virginia stands as one of the finest viticultural landscapes in the United States.
In creating a list of the best wineries and vineyards in Virginia, we’ve identified 10 vineyards and wineries that honor the unique culture and history of Virginia wine.
In addition, these vineyards and wineries offer a sense of drama and place that separate them from the rest.
DELAPLANE, VIRGINIA
RdV Vineyards
Located within the Middleburg American Viticultural Area (AVA), RdV Vineyards in Delaplane, Virginia offers one of the finest examples of modern American viticulture. Anchored by a sleek modern farmhouse designed by Neumann Lewis Buchanan Architects and rolling hills of granite, RdV Vineyards carries on the tradition of Virginia’s vignerons. Founded by vigneron Rutger de Vink, RdV Vineyards features two flagship labels, a Cabernet Sauvignon named Lost Mountain and Rendezvous, an expressive red wine blend. Stop by for a tasting in the Tasting Salon or, for a more intellectual experience, schedule a Tasting Experience to get an up close and personal look at the vineyards, the state of the art winery, and solid granite caves.
MADISON, VIRGINIA
Early Mountain Vineyards
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Early Mountain Vineyards is located on a pristine 350 acre property surrounded by rolling hills and pastoral farms. Established in 2005, Early Mountain Vineyards is regarded for its stunning landscapes and award-winning tasting room. Owned by Jean and Steve Case, Early Mountain Vineyards focuses on classic Bordeaux-type varietals such as Eluvium, a blend of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc.
BARBOURSVILLE, VIRGINIA
Barboursville Vineyards
Just moments from Charlottesville, Virginia, Barboursville Vineyards offers what many consider the penultimate representation of Virginia wine culture. Located on a historic estate property in Barboursville, Virginia designed in 1814 by Thomas Jefferson, Barboursville Winery is a unique assimilation of historic plantation-style architecture and early American viticultural heritage. Featuring Italian-style wines by resident winemaker Luca Paschina, Barboursville Winery’s flagship label, Octagon, is among the finest viticultural exports of the Mid-Atlantic region.
NORTH GARDEN, VIRGINIA
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
Located in the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA), Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards represents one of the finest representations of viticulture in the Mid-Atlantic. Located in North Garden, Virginia, just moments from Charlottesville, Virginia, Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards offers pristine valley views and a range of event venues designed in the farmhouse vernacular by esteemed Charlottesville, Virginia architecture firm Bushman Dreyfus Architects. Under the guidance of master winemaker Michael Shaps, Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards prides itself on sustainable viticulture practices and the production of world-class wines, including their award-wining Petit Verdot.
LINDEN, VIRGINIA
Linden Vineyards
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Linden, Virginia, Linden Vineyards is one of the Mid-Atlantic’s premier wineries. Founded by legendary Virginia vintner Jim Law in 1983, Linden Vineyards comprises over 70 acres of vines across three distinct planting sites in the heart of Virginia’s Piedmont Region. Long regarded for its iconic Hardscabble, a robust Chardonnay named after the ridges and hollows that comprise the geographic landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountain area.
MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA
Boxwood Winery
Located in Middleburg, Virginia in the heart of Virginia Hunt Country, Boxwood Winery is the fulfillment of a long-held dream by proprietor John Kent Cooke, former owner and president of the Washington Redskins. Situated just beyond Middleburg, Virginia’s historic downtown, Boxwood Estate Winery creates wines in the Bordeaux tradition among stunning rural vistas and world-famous horse farms. Visitors to Boxwood Winery will notice its unique layout, which is a complex of four buildings designed by acclaimed design professionals Jacobsen Architects and Peterson & Collins to include a reception for wine tasting, a fermentation Chai with thirteen custom designed stainless steel fermentation tanks; a bottling building with storage up to 10,000 cases; and a circular underground cave to house oak barrels.
WAYNESBORO, VIRGINIA
Lightwell Survey
Established in 2015 by Sebastian Zutant, Ben Jordan and Jay Zutant, Lightwell Survey is a Virginia winery shining a new light on the traditional wine-scape. Focused on small batches of lively reds, dense whites, and unique combinations of the two Lightwell Survey is a refreshing new entrant into the Virginia wine community.
AFTON, VIRGINIA
Afton Mountain Vineyards
Afton Mountain Vineyards is one of Virginia’s first farm wineries. Featuring original vines planted in 1978, Afton Mountain Vineyards grows a total of 11 varieties on 26 acres in Afton, Virginia — just 20 miles west of Charlottesville, Virginia. French winemaker Damien Blanchon oversees the sustainable, environmentally friendly wine production and vineyard operation at Afton Mountain Vineyards, and consistently produces award-winning Virginia wines such as their 2017 Petit Verdot.
CROZET, VIRGINIA
King Family Vineyards
Situated in the heart of the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA), King Family Vineyards lies at the heart of some of the best vineyard sites in the Mid-Atlantic. Located just moments from Thomas Jefferson’s iconic Monticello estate, King Family Vineyards prides itself on continuing the centuries’ old traditions of Virginia viticulture. Featuring original vine plantings first established in 1998, King Family Vineyards spans nearly 30 acres and produces some of the finest wines in the region, including award-winning Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Viognier.
AFTON, VIRGINIA
Veritas Winery
Established in 1999, Veritas Winery is a family owned and operated winery and vineyard in Afton, Virginia. Spanning over 50 acres in the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA), Veritas Winery produces a variety of Virginia wines inspired by the terroir of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including their award-winning 2015 Scintilla brut sparkling wine.
THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER COMPANY
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