Some days I don't want to worry about driving far to wineries. However, other days I crave visiting new wineries no matter how far away they are. Since I am not from the area, visiting different areas is a unique way to see the area. There are many different things you can see and learn along the way. One day, a college friend was visiting and we found a pop-up of Potter's cider on our way home from the winery. We stopped and did a cider tasting and met some cool people who actually help to produce the cider. If you are a cider lover, you should definitely check out Potters. They do some pop-up's in downtown Charlottesville by one of my favorite restaurants, Lampo.
Monticello region -
If you are wanting to visit multiple wineries in one day that are close to each other and to Charlottesville, you should check out Jefferson, Blenheim, Trump and Gabriele Rausse. Blenheim and Trump are like two minutes (if that) from each other. These wineries are also only about 15 minutes away from Charlottesville, so they are easy to visit. A little further down the road from these wineries (and still close enough) are Mount Ida and Thatch Winery. Eastwood Farm and Winery is a newer winery that also just opened up close to Downtown C'ville.
North Garden region -
Pippin Hill is also very close and easy to get to. Personally, this is one of my favorites if I am looking to take a friend from out of town or just go somewhere close by. This is only 15 minutes from me, since I live close to 29 South. Loving Cup is right next door if you would like to visit another winery. A little further down are DelFosse and Wisdom Oak Winery.
Crozet region -
At about 20 minutes from Charlottesville is King Family Vineyards. There are so many wineries, and great ones, out here in Crozet and Afton. King Family is definitely one of the closest wineries as the following suggestions will take you farther out from C'ville. Suggestions if you are looking for additional places to go after are Veritas, Pollak, Afton Mountain, Stinson, Knights Gambit, White Hall, Valley Roads, Flying Fox & Cardinal Point. So many options! Crozet Pizza is a very popular local pizza place with amazing pizza! It is very close to King Family, so definitely a good lunch or dinner location after hitting the wineries.
If you are wanting to visit multiple wineries in one day that are close to each other and to Charlottesville, you should check out Jefferson, Blenheim, Trump and Gabriele Rausse. Blenheim and Trump are like two minutes (if that) from each other. These wineries are also only about 15 minutes away from Charlottesville, so they are easy to visit. A little further down the road from these wineries (and still close enough) are Mount Ida and Thatch Winery. Eastwood Farm and Winery is a newer winery that also just opened up close to Downtown C'ville.
North Garden region -
Pippin Hill is also very close and easy to get to. Personally, this is one of my favorites if I am looking to take a friend from out of town or just go somewhere close by. This is only 15 minutes from me, since I live close to 29 South. Loving Cup is right next door if you would like to visit another winery. A little further down are DelFosse and Wisdom Oak Winery.
Crozet region -
At about 20 minutes from Charlottesville is King Family Vineyards. There are so many wineries, and great ones, out here in Crozet and Afton. King Family is definitely one of the closest wineries as the following suggestions will take you farther out from C'ville. Suggestions if you are looking for additional places to go after are Veritas, Pollak, Afton Mountain, Stinson, Knights Gambit, White Hall, Valley Roads, Flying Fox & Cardinal Point. So many options! Crozet Pizza is a very popular local pizza place with amazing pizza! It is very close to King Family, so definitely a good lunch or dinner location after hitting the wineries.
Other ideas -
The Monticello Wine Trail map is an amazing resource when planning your visit, just don't be deceived by the disproportions because it looks like some wineries are closer than others. If you are looking to plan a day, above are three routes that I suggest that are in close proximity to Charlottesville. You can choose to do one, two or more depending on how your feeling. I always find that it is easy to do two but that third one can sometimes be too much!
Feel free to contact me if you are looking for more information or would like help tailoring a wine route to your needs. I would love to hear from you!
The Monticello Wine Trail map is an amazing resource when planning your visit, just don't be deceived by the disproportions because it looks like some wineries are closer than others. If you are looking to plan a day, above are three routes that I suggest that are in close proximity to Charlottesville. You can choose to do one, two or more depending on how your feeling. I always find that it is easy to do two but that third one can sometimes be too much!
Feel free to contact me if you are looking for more information or would like help tailoring a wine route to your needs. I would love to hear from you!