
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