Fall is one of the best times of the year to visit Virginia wineries, particularly in October. Indeed, that’s when Virginia Wine Month is celebrated. Despite the absence of significant scale events, wineries are welcoming wine lovers searching for a pre-holiday getaway. But with wineries entering a new phase of service and hospitality, where is the best to visit? Moreover, what can you expect?
Best Wineries in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Cave Ridge Vineyard
1476 Conicville Road
Mount Jackson, VA 22842
(540) 477-2585
www.caveridge.com
Current Hours: Sunday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
A breathtaking property overlooking the Shenandoah Valley, Cave Ridge Vineyard is welcoming its visitors daily. However, that’s for only outdoor seating at this time. While no wine tasting is available, Cave Ridge offers wine flights and an excellent selection of light food options. Cave Ridge will host several upcoming events. Most notable is its lavish Harvest Wine Dinner on Saturday, October 10.
Randy and Karen Phillips
Family-owned and operated since 2005 by Randy and Karen Phillips, Cave Ridge Vineyard produces several exceptional varietal wines across 25 acres. Selections include French selections like Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, and Syrah. The Phillips and their daughter/business manager Megan also feature award-winning blends like Cuvée Select and Fossil Hill Reserve. In February, Randy Phillips was honored with the Gordon Murchie Lifetime Achievement Award for significant contributions to the Virginia wine industry.
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Greenhill Winery & Vineyards
23595 Winery Lane
Middleburg, VA 20117
(540) 687-6968
www.experiencegreenhill.com
Current Hours: Monday-Thursday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday-Sunday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Founded in 2013 by David Greenhill, Green Hill Winery & Vineyards is part of the Middleburg AVA in Northern Virginia. Open daily to guests 21 and over, the winery is currently offering a Wine & Food Experience. In detail, it features selected Virginia wines and cheese/charcuterie. The winery’s main building is open weekdays for limited indoor and patio seating on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Weekend Reservations
On weekends, reservations are required. However, this is only available for wine club members. On the other hand, outdoor seating requires no reservation. Be that as it may, parties of 10 or more are not allowed. Located just east of Middleburg, the 128-acre property produces several single-grape French wines—for instance, Cabernet Franc and Petit Manseng, along with superb blends like Superstition.
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Jefferson Vineyards
1353 Thomas Jefferson Parkway
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 977-3042
www.virginia.org/jeffersonvineyards
Current Hours: Friday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Of all the many notable Virginia wineries along the Monticello Wine Trail, none has a more prominent place in history than Jefferson Vineyards. It’s not the state’s oldest but resides on Thomas Jefferson’s former vineyard property, then known as the Birthplace of American Wine. Established in 1981 by Stanley and Shirley Woodward, the Virginia wine icon produces French varietals and blends over 20 acres from its 650-acre estate.
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Near Monticello
Just minutes from James Monroe’s Highland and Monticello, Jefferson Vineyards is open to visitors 21 and over. Service is only available outdoors on a first-come, first-serve basis. In light of this, seasonal wine flights and food items like charcuterie and cheeses exist. Among wine selections are Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and its acclaimed Viognier. The 2017 Jefferson’s Own Estate Reserve is priced slightly higher, and it is a gold medal winner at this year’s Virginia Governor Cup.
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Upper Shirley Vineyards
600 Shirley Plantation Road
Charles City, VA 23030
(804) 829-9463
www.uppershirley.com
Current Hours: Dining is available Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wine Service is available Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Upper Shirley Vineyards offers food and beverage services at its 14,000 sq. ft. property above the James River. Chef Carlisle Bannister’s gourmet Fall Picnic Menu and wine bottles, glass service, and tasting kits are available. Premium selections include French wines like Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Viognier.
Seating
Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis only in the tasting room and outdoor space. Located halfway between Richmond and Williamsburg, Upper Shirley Vineyards features live music on selected dates. Established in 2013, Upper Shirley Vineyards is owned and operated by Taylor and Suzy Dameron.
Williamsburg Winery
5800 Wessex Hundred
Williamsburg, VA 23185
(757) 229-0999
www.williamsburgwinery.com
Current Hours: Sunday – Thursday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Although its tasting room remains closed, other attractions are open at Williamsburg Winery, such as the wine shop, outdoor pavilion, casual dining,g, and luxury accommodations. Wine flights and wine bottles are available at 1619 Wine Pavilion. Gabriel Archer Tavern is also open for dining, with limited indoor and outdoor capacity. It’s one of the finest wineries in Virginia.
Reservations
Reservations are available for overnight stays at the winery’s 4-star Wedmore Place. Encompassing 300 acres, Williamsburg Winery was established in 1985 by Belgium native Patrick Duffeler and his late wife, Peggy. What’s more, it’s located on one of Virginia’s oldest wine-producing properties. It dates back to the 17th century. Williamsburg Winery holds 50 vineyards, with French varietals like Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, and Viognier.
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About The Author:
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years, he reportedly had a digital audience reach of 489 million and more than 5.5 million monthly visitors. His other stories have also appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, OWC.com, and Radio.com.