Although some would say the wine industry in Virginia is still in its infancy, there is a remarkable history dating back to the 1800s involving one of our founding fathers! Today, Virginia is the fifth largest wine producer in the country with over 260 wineries. Every corner of the Old Dominion is rich with natural beauty, history and world-class restaurants. Virginia’s Newest Wineries are certainly in development and some are even excellent, we advise you to do a deeper research in order to find the perfect one for you and to spend a wonderful day discovering the wines. Whether in the mountains or on the beach, in the city or in the country, one thing is certain: Virginia is for wine lovers.
More than 330 beautiful vineyards in the foothills of the Blue Ridge and Bull Run Mountains. Each vineyard offers amazing wines and beautiful views. Some of the wineries also offer full service restaurants or light bites, music events and inns where you can stay during your vacation on the property. If you’ve ever dreampt of living at a vineyard, you can make that dream come true in Virginia Wine Country.
Nearby craft breweries, distillers and cideries give you even more opportunities to discover your new favorite beverage while traveling in Virginia.
When you visit, Virginia wine country offers many luxury country inns and sweet bed & Breakfasts to stay at as well as charming towns to explore. Charlottesville, home to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, the University of Virginia and the Monticello Wine trail are a definite must-visit for every wine lover. Add to the delicious award-winning wines a thriving farm-to-table food movement and lively music scene (Dave Matthews started out here in Miller’s on the Downtown Mall) and travelers are sure to enjoy themselves. Closer to Washington DC, discover Middleburg in the heart of Virginia Hunt Country. Its quaint cobbled streets and many posh boutiques are sure to delight. Wineries and restaurants aplenty along with two luxury resorts, The Salamander Inn and the Goodstone Inn, make every guest feel special. Equestrian style is always in fashionhere with a thriving hunt community, polo league, horse shows, steeplechases and more all part of the regular culture.
Virginia Wine Country Terroir & Climate
In general, Virginia weather is described as a humid subtropical climate due to frost in the winter. In the summer, it can get a bit “humid” due to the abundant water along the eastern seaboard with the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean and the Potomac, Rappahannock, York, and James rivers and their tributaries. The air averages 10 degrees cooler and the humidity is lower in the mountains, and Pinot Noir and Chardonnays are already being grown in these areas.
Cabernet Franc
Outside the Loire region, Cabernet Franc is often overlooked as the “other” Cabernet, but this light, fresh and juicy grape variety demonstrates its versatility in the best wines of Argentina, Italy, the United States and South Africa … Virginia’s Best Cabernet Francs could be many but everything changes according to the palate of those who taste and taste the various wines.
