Are you looking for a winery with the whole package? Who says you have to sacrifice a good view or expensive wine for an amazing experience. Here, I wanted to list some of my favorite wineries that really do have it all. There are so many amazing wineries around Charlottesville so I have used the following criteria to narrow them down for you: Great views, delicious wine, fun atmosphere, good location and decent prices. I also asked some of my friends to vote on their favorites to make sure I was representing these wineries well.
My favorites in this category include: Barboursville Vineyards, King Family Vineyards, Veritas Vineyard, and Mount Ida Farm. You will see breakdowns about them below. I have spent a lot of time thinking about this so I felt like I should include some of my other favorites.
Other favorites include: Afton Mountain Vineyards, Early Mountain Vineyards, Pollak Vineyards, Gabriele Rausse. Afton and Pollak are in Crozet, very easy to get to, while Early Mountain is a little farther, up in Madison. If you don't care as much about the location aspect, then you should definitely visit Stone Mountain as it is truly a special place.
My favorites in this category include: Barboursville Vineyards, King Family Vineyards, Veritas Vineyard, and Mount Ida Farm. You will see breakdowns about them below. I have spent a lot of time thinking about this so I felt like I should include some of my other favorites.
Other favorites include: Afton Mountain Vineyards, Early Mountain Vineyards, Pollak Vineyards, Gabriele Rausse. Afton and Pollak are in Crozet, very easy to get to, while Early Mountain is a little farther, up in Madison. If you don't care as much about the location aspect, then you should definitely visit Stone Mountain as it is truly a special place.
Barboursville Vineyards
View. The vineyard is on a HUGE property. The views are beautiful and you can see different things depending on where you decide to enjoy your wine. I was there on one of the coldest days in the winter, so we elected to visit "The Library" to enjoy some wine and cheese. From here, you can look out over the vineyards. I definitely suggest doing this!
Wine. You may not expect the wine to be good at the place that produces so many different varieties, but it is very tasty. Most of my friends agree and love having the variety to taste.
Atmosphere. It has a fun atmosphere here. All of the people working there are very friendly and you can learn a lot about the wines. Like I said before, I recommend visiting "The Library." Before I visited the winery itself, my friend told me there is a password for the room and you should definitely go in there. So of course I had to test it out for myself. It did not disappoint and is great for any time of the year! If that's not your thing, you can sit outside or wander around the expansive property. There is something for everyone.
Location. A little further away than the other contenders for this as it is about 35-40 minutes from downtown Charlottesville with no traffic, but definitely farther if you live downtown. There are many other wineries up there, so you could stop at those as well, although you could definitely make a day out of Barboursville alone.
Prices. Well, you get about 21 wines for the $7 tasting view. Enough said. Bottles also very reasonably prices/inexpensive for the area.
Bonus points go to Barboursville for having a restaurant. Not many wineries have a full on restaurant so it's nice to know that you have the option to eat Lunch or Dinner here after wine tasting.
Wine. You may not expect the wine to be good at the place that produces so many different varieties, but it is very tasty. Most of my friends agree and love having the variety to taste.
Atmosphere. It has a fun atmosphere here. All of the people working there are very friendly and you can learn a lot about the wines. Like I said before, I recommend visiting "The Library." Before I visited the winery itself, my friend told me there is a password for the room and you should definitely go in there. So of course I had to test it out for myself. It did not disappoint and is great for any time of the year! If that's not your thing, you can sit outside or wander around the expansive property. There is something for everyone.
Location. A little further away than the other contenders for this as it is about 35-40 minutes from downtown Charlottesville with no traffic, but definitely farther if you live downtown. There are many other wineries up there, so you could stop at those as well, although you could definitely make a day out of Barboursville alone.
Prices. Well, you get about 21 wines for the $7 tasting view. Enough said. Bottles also very reasonably prices/inexpensive for the area.
Bonus points go to Barboursville for having a restaurant. Not many wineries have a full on restaurant so it's nice to know that you have the option to eat Lunch or Dinner here after wine tasting.
King Family Vineyards
It King Family has been growing on me. Now, I have visited it 4-5 times and it never gets old. I have been realizing that the reason I do go back, is because it truly has everything.
View. Amazing. Go read my post on the wineries with best views in the area for more of a description but amazing should still sell you on this great vineyard.
Wine. Honestly, I've never actually done a tasting here but I have tried a different wine every time I visit and am yet to be disappointed. The Rosé is one of my favorite in town and their Cabernet France is delicious. I also love their Viognier and Chardonnay!
Atmosphere. I love all of the events that they do here. With polo on Sunday's in the summer and wine Wednesday's throughout the year, and just normal days, there is something for everyone. Their events draw huge crowds and they are always packed on the weekends. It's a fun vibe and makes me want to keep coming back for more.
Location. King Family is one of the closer wineries to C'ville at about 20 minutes away. It is located in Crozet, where you will find many other wonderful wineries. The other day a friend spontaneously visited, and it was so easy to just hop over to the winery even though it was already 3pm!
Prices. The prices do range, as there are some more expensive ones. However, there are many in that $20-$25 range... and they are delicious. $10 for a regular tasting of 6 wines that rotate seasonally.
View. Amazing. Go read my post on the wineries with best views in the area for more of a description but amazing should still sell you on this great vineyard.
Wine. Honestly, I've never actually done a tasting here but I have tried a different wine every time I visit and am yet to be disappointed. The Rosé is one of my favorite in town and their Cabernet France is delicious. I also love their Viognier and Chardonnay!
Atmosphere. I love all of the events that they do here. With polo on Sunday's in the summer and wine Wednesday's throughout the year, and just normal days, there is something for everyone. Their events draw huge crowds and they are always packed on the weekends. It's a fun vibe and makes me want to keep coming back for more.
Location. King Family is one of the closer wineries to C'ville at about 20 minutes away. It is located in Crozet, where you will find many other wonderful wineries. The other day a friend spontaneously visited, and it was so easy to just hop over to the winery even though it was already 3pm!
Prices. The prices do range, as there are some more expensive ones. However, there are many in that $20-$25 range... and they are delicious. $10 for a regular tasting of 6 wines that rotate seasonally.
Mount Ida Reserve
View. As you walk into the winery, you can see the mountains through the big windows. They also have a huge lawn with lots of seating options to take in the Blue Ridge Mountains far off in the distance.
Wine. Especially being a newer winery, I was impressed by their options. They have something for everyone and even make their own craft beers making this the perfect place to come for non-wine drinkers. My personal favorites were their Viognier and Reserve Red.
Atmosphere. Very chill atmosphere here! You can sit outside by the fire-pits or even enjoy the comfy seating inside.
Location. About 35 minutes from Downtown Charlottesville. There are lots of other wineries nearby such as First Colony, Blenheim, Trump and Gabriele Rausse.
Prices. $12 for a tasting of six wines. Bottles in the $20-30's.
As a newer winery in the area, they have definitely done well with their full restaurant menu! All of the food we tried was delicious!
Wine. Especially being a newer winery, I was impressed by their options. They have something for everyone and even make their own craft beers making this the perfect place to come for non-wine drinkers. My personal favorites were their Viognier and Reserve Red.
Atmosphere. Very chill atmosphere here! You can sit outside by the fire-pits or even enjoy the comfy seating inside.
Location. About 35 minutes from Downtown Charlottesville. There are lots of other wineries nearby such as First Colony, Blenheim, Trump and Gabriele Rausse.
Prices. $12 for a tasting of six wines. Bottles in the $20-30's.
As a newer winery in the area, they have definitely done well with their full restaurant menu! All of the food we tried was delicious!
Veritas Vineyard & Winery
View. It is a very relaxing. You can see the mountains from here and they are a beautiful background for vineyard. It is fun to wander throughout the different rows of grapes, or just sit back in the big lawn chairs and take it all in.
Wine. Delicious. Sometimes I'm not crazy about any wines when I visit a winery, but that was definitely not the case here. This is also a favorite of many of my friends for their wine.
Atmosphere. Very relaxed and chill vibes here. There are lots of chairs and picnic tables where you can sit out and enjoy during the summer. Indoors would also be cozy during the winter, with the potential to be very crowded since this is a more popular winery.
Location. About 25-30 minutes away in Nelson County. There are many other beautiful wineries close by making it easy to visit multiple in one day.
Prices. Tastings are $10 a person for about 8 wines to try... unless you get lucky and and have an awesome pourer who let's you taste 13! Decent prices for bottles of wine.
Wine. Delicious. Sometimes I'm not crazy about any wines when I visit a winery, but that was definitely not the case here. This is also a favorite of many of my friends for their wine.
Atmosphere. Very relaxed and chill vibes here. There are lots of chairs and picnic tables where you can sit out and enjoy during the summer. Indoors would also be cozy during the winter, with the potential to be very crowded since this is a more popular winery.
Location. About 25-30 minutes away in Nelson County. There are many other beautiful wineries close by making it easy to visit multiple in one day.
Prices. Tastings are $10 a person for about 8 wines to try... unless you get lucky and and have an awesome pourer who let's you taste 13! Decent prices for bottles of wine.