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NEW TO WINERY VISITS?

Here are the basics!

HOW DOES A TASTING WORK?

Generally, a staff member or knowledgeable volunteer will pour one wine at a time and give background on its makeup, where the grape is from, blend composition, etc. If you don't like something,  you are able to pour it out into a jar on the tasting bar (although I've never had to). 

During COVID-19, most wineries are now offering a self-guided tasting of some kind. 

COVID-19 NOTE: Make sure to visit the Facebook page of the winery you are visiting as their policies regarding tastings, whether they are selling by the glass or just the bottle, reservations, etc. change constantly. I've found that Facebook is usually the most accurate source. Also, please wear a mask as much as possible. We want these wineries to stay open and that means everyone needs to follow their rules. 

At the end of a tasting, most people purchase a glass or a bottle of wine unless they are visiting multiple wineries in a day. 

 

Note 1: Don't be afraid to ask questions! The people behind the bar normally love talking about wine, and hopefully we can get back to that soon. Some select wineries are offering guided tasting, especially further south in Virginia. 

 

Note 2: Weekends, especially during the summer and fall, are a lot busier than weekdays, so just be prepared that you may have to wait longer between pours or the tasting make be a little more rushed. During the COVID-19 era, if a winery you want to try requires reservations make sure to book early in the week for a weekend spot. 

HOW MANY WINES ARE PART OF A TASTING?

Most wineries have between 6-8 wines as part of their tasting menus; wineries in the Richmond area are usually have a bit more than Northern Virginia ones. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of wineries are offering self-guided tastings of 6-8 wines or flights of 3-4 wines. 

 

Wineries have a tasting sheet, and most allow you to take notes and take the sheet with you. Every wine will have a description that normally include scents or tastes of food, spices, or other aromas that you should expect to find in each wine. 

 

DON'T BE INTIMIDATED if you don't taste anything they list! It took me tasting a lot of wine for me to start noticing differences in the 'notes' that you can find. It also helps if you put keep the wine on your tongue/in between your teeth for a few seconds on at least one of your sips so you can hold onto the flavor. 

HOW MUCH DO TASTINGS COST?

This very much varies by geographic region and frankly by the quality of the wine. Most Northern Virginia wineries charge between $10-15 a tasting; Richmond area wineries are more in the $5-10 range. Most of the Charlottesville wineries are somewhere in between. 

WHAT'S SOME WINE VOCABULARY I SHOULD KNOW?

The Mistress of Wine has a short but great wine vocabulary list.  You'll be able to identify the meaning the more wine you try. 

CAN I BRING FOOD TO A WINERY?

It varies widely by winery.  I'll always include that information in my reviews (including whether it's allowed inside or outside), and most winery websites list that information as well.

HERE'S THE WINERIES I'VE VISITED!

In case you need a list to get you started...I've put a star beside my favorites :)

Wineries I’ve Been To = 51


Northern Virginia 


Loudoun County 

*Zephania Farm Vineyard 

Dry Mill Vineyards 

*Fabbioli Cellars 

Hillsborough Vineyards 

*Two Twisted Posts Winery 

Tarara Wniery 

*Cana Vineyards 

Chrysalis Vineyards 

Casanel Vineyards 

Stone Tower Winery 

50 West Vineyards 

Winery 32

Sunset Hills Vineyard 

Bluemont Vineyard 

Boxwood Estate Winery 

Creeks Edge Winery 

Maggie Malick Wine Cave 


Fauquier County

Delaplane Cellars 

Barrel Oak Winery 

Aspen Dale Winery 

Blue Valley Vineyard and Winery 

Naked Mountain Vineyard

Pearmund Cellars

Granite Heights Winery 

*Morais Vineyards 

Three Fox Vineyard 

Mediterranean Cellars 


Prince William County 

Effingham Manor Winery 

Bull Run Winery 

The Winery at La Grange 


Fairfax County 

Paradise Springs Winery 


Clarke County 

Veramar Vineyard


Richmond Area 

James River

New Kent Winery 

*Saude Creek Vineyards

Gauthier Vineyards

Williamsburg Winery 

Sassafras Shade Vineyard

Byrd Cellars

Greyhaven Winery 

Elk Island Winery 


Charlottesville 

Keswick Vineyards

*Pippin Hill Vineyards 

Thatch Winery 

Northern Neck 

Ingleside Winery - my first ever winery visit! 

Vault Field VIneyards 

*Good Luck Cellars 

Caret Cellars 

Across Virginia 

Potomac Point Winery (Stafford)

Hartwood Winery (Stafford)

Lake Anna Winery (Spotsylvania) 

Fincastle Vineyard and Winery

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