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Virginia wineries: Our top picks by category

September 15, 2014 at 1:15 p.m. EDT
Friends celebrate a marriage and a birthday as part of a girls’ gathering at King Family Vineyards in Crozet, Va. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

Virginia's wineries offer a wide range of experiences, from stunning views to fine dining and family fun. And some are just about the wine. Here's a taste of our favorites.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Roughly the Interstate 66 corridor and north, encompassing Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier and Frederick counties. This region is accessible as a day trip from Washington and includes much of the recent growth in Virginia’s wine country.

Best views: Bluemont Vineyard (they say that on a clear day, you can see the Washington Monument in the distance) and Linden's Fox Meadow; Chester Gap Cellars in Front Royal

Most fun: Bluemont; 8 Chains North in Waterford; Pearmund Cellars in Broad Run; Tarara in Leesburg

Best tastings: North Gate in Purcellville; Willowcroft Farm in Leesburg; Linden Vineyards

Best food: 868 (Grandale Restaurant) in Purcellville; Narmada in Amissville

Best wines: Boxwood and Chrysalis in Middleburg, Breaux and Sunset Hills in Purcellville; Chester Gap and Glen Manor in Front Royal; Delaplane Cellars and RdV in Delaplane; Fabbioli, Stone Tower and Tarara in Leesburg; Paradise Springs in Clifton; Linden

Kid/pet friendly: Barrel Oak in Delaplane; Breaux and Otium Cellars in Purcellville; 8 Chains North

CENTRAL

Charlottesville and environs, from Culpeper south to Lynchburg and west to Staunton. Best tackled as an overnight trip from Washington.

Best views: Stone Mountain Vineyards in Dyke; Grace Estate in Crozet; Pippin Hill in North Garden; Barboursville Vineyards

Most fun: Early Mountain Vineyards in Madison

Best tastings: Early Mountain (can taste wines from other wineries in their "Best of Virginia" collection); Barboursville (Library 1821); Horton Cellars in Gordonsville; Veritas in Afton; Virginia Wineworks/Michael Shaps in Charlottesville

Best food: Early Mountain, Barboursville (Palladio), Pippin Hill (Farm Table)

Best wines: Ankida Ridge (22 Brix tasting room in Charlottesville); Barboursville; Barren Ridge in Fishersville; Grace Estate and Granite Heights in Warrenton; Horton, Stinson Vineyards and King Family in Crozet; Ox-Eye in Staunton; Pollak and Veritas in Afton; Virginia Wineworks/Michael Shaps

Kid/pet friendly: Stinson Vineyards

TIDEWATER/EASTERN SHORE

The region roughly along Interstate 95 and east features flatter land, sandy soils and a maritime climate.

Best views: Chatham in Machipongo; Potomac Point in Stafford

Most fun: Chatham; Holly Grove in Franktown

Best tastings: Chatham; Potomac Point; Ingleside in Oak Grove; Williamsburg Winery

Best food: Potomac Point

Best wines: Chatham; Ingleside; Williamsburg; Cooper in Louisa; Hague Winery; Dog and Oyster in Irvington

Kid friendly: Potomac Point

SHENANDOAH and SOUTHWEST

The Interstate 81 corridor from Winchester south. A major potential growth area for vineyard land, although the distance from urban centers means that wine tourism hasn’t yet developed as fully as in the rest of the state.

Best views: Valhalla in Roanoke; Shenandoah Vineyards and Wolf Gap in Edinburg

Most fun: Blue Ridge in Eagle Rock; Fincastle Vineyard

Best tastings: Bluestone in Bridgewater; North Mountain in Maurertown

Best food: Cave Ridge in Mount Jackson

Best wines: Cedar Creek in Star Tannery; Foggy Ridge Cider in Dugspur; Rockbridge in Raphine; Bluestone in Bridgewater

Kid/pet friendly: Barren Ridge in Fishersville; Blue Ridge

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