Photo Above Courtesy of Visit Loudoun // Neal Alfano Photography // Miles Partnership
Baby, it’s cold outside. Time to cozy up next to the fire with a glass of wine. Why not do it at one of Virginia’s many beautiful wineries, where wintry landscapes make stunning backdrops for a weekend adventure? Winter can be a great time to visit when wineries are less crowded, and guests can often interact one-on-one with winemakers and staff for a personalized experience. Here are a few suggestions.
1. Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyard (North Garden) (photo below)
During winter months, you can take in Pippin Hill’s gorgeous mountain and garden views—along with a tasting flight and delicious, farm-to-table bites—next to an outdoor fire pit, from a cozy, enclosed veranda, or from an elegant indoor dining room.
2. Stone Tower Winery (Leesburg) (photo above)
For a special, behind-the-scenes journey, choose the Signature Experience or Cellar Tour at Stone Tower, a truly breathtaking 300-acre mountaintop vineyard estate. While these experiences are for guests aged 21+, families are welcome at the rustic and elegant Harvest Barn Tasting Room, which has a cozy indoor space as well as plentiful outdoor seating with fire pits and heaters.
3. King Family Vineyards (Crozet)
Cuddle up inside next to one of their two stone fireplaces or on an Adirondack chair outside next to one of their many fire pits, while sipping on an award-winning meritage and watching the snow fall on the Blue Ridge Mountains and their iconic Roseland Polo field and family horses.
4. Early Mountain Vineyards (Madison)
Voted the number one tasting room in America, Early Mountain offers rustic warmth with its wooden tables and comfy couches, not to mention heated patio seating and numerous fire pits spread across the property. Request the Elevation Tasting, which features a vertical flight of Rise (their celebrated Bordeaux blend) and chef-selected culinary pairings and is led by a wine educator.
5. Glass House Winery (Free Union)
Transport yourself to a warmer climate in the Glass House Winery’s tropical conservatory—a unique tasting room in a stunning, climate-controlled greenhouse filled with lush, tropical flora. The winery also installed nine private outdoor tables, each equipped with a propane heater, as well as outdoor patio heaters and a wood-burning fire pit.
6. Barboursville Vineyards (Barboursville)
Warm up with a vertical tasting of their famous Octagon in the Discovery Tasting Room or Library 1821 after taking a quick stroll through the historic Landmark Ruins of Thomas Jefferson’s mansion for Governor James Barbour. Or stay the night in a suite at their 1804 Inn and Cottages, each of which is furnished with a working fireplace, complimentary bottle of wine and full breakfast.
7. Williamsburg Winery (Williamsburg)
Take a romantic, wintry staycation at Williamsburg Winery where you can experience an extensive tour and reserve wine tasting, dine at their Gabriel Archer Tavern, then retire to a room at Wedmore Place, their European-style country hotel, which features a wood-burning fireplace in every room.
Hannah Serrano
Hannah Serrano is director of sales & marketing at the TASTE Family of Businesses and former marketing director at O'Connor Brewing Co. Hannah is a passionate foodie and beer nerd. Her advocacy for local culture developed as an arts editor at Port Folio Weekly, culture contributor at WVEC-13, owner of AltDaily.com, and co-organizer of Norfolk's NEON District.
