When you think of wines from the U.S., you probably first think of a Napa Valley red, right? It’s no surprise that California is the most popular wine destination in the U.S. with nearly 90% of all American wine coming from that state. But, did you know that there are actually wineries in every one of the 50 states?
That being said, not all wineries are made equal, but I’m here to tell you today that Virginia wines are made equal…and dare I say it…made even better than their counterparts on the opposite coast!
Virginia has a rich history in winemaking. For over 200 years, the region has been producing some of the most awarded wines on the east coast. The state’s rich red clay soil and unique terroir produces grapes that produce spectacular Viogniers and Cabernet Francs, among other popular varietals.
If you’re headed to Virginia, Charlottesville is a perfect place to start. Charlottesville, VA is home to the Monticello Wine Trail, a collection of 40+ wineries within a 25-mile radius of Charlottesville. Staple varietals include Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petit Manseng, Petit Verdot, and Viognier.
Though you could literally spend days and days plodding along this wine trail, there are 3 stand-out wineries in Charlottesville, VA that you must visit while in town. These 3 wineries in Charlottesville, VA earned their top place in this post because beyond just serving award-winning, high-quality wines, they all three offer historic sights, beautiful views, and impressive tasting rooms.
#1 - Jefferson Vineyards in Charlottesville, VA
Full disclosure - my semi-retired uncle and aunt work part-time at Jefferson Vineyards. But before you accuse me of nepotism, Jefferson Vineyards is a true staple in the Monticello Wine Trail.
It’s no wonder that my family works at this particular winery - they are very discerning wine drinkers and Jefferson Vineyards produces good wine!
Conveniently located at the foothills of Monticello (Thomas Jefferson’s historic home), the Jefferson Vineyards estate was the site of Virginia’s first wine company and commercial vineyard. Today, their award-winning wines include both delicate and refreshing white wines to elegant, full-bodied reds.
Jefferson Vineyard currently offers 2 seasonal flight options (4 wines each), as well as wines by the glass and bottles (including reserve wines) for purchase. I tried one of the seasonal flights. To my surprise, my favorite was the 2018 Vin Blanc - I don’t usually drink much sweet or semi-sweet wine but this semi-sweet white with notes of melon and grilled pineapple was just perfect for the hot, summer day. Tasting notes:
Floral notes and spice on the nose followed by sweet melon, honey, lime, and grilled pineapple flavors on the palate. The wine finishes with a vibrant acidity.
Nose: spice, floral notes, apricot
Palate: prominent melon flavors, citrus, lime, pear, and grilled pineapple
Finish: bright, lingering acidity, more melon with hints of clementine
Pairings: fresh fruit platters, berry and cream-based desserts
Another crowd favorite is their 2019 Viognier, which has won 4 gold medals:
Double Gold: San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2020
93 Points: Vinepair 2020, The 28 Best White Wines for 2021
Gold: Virginia Governor’s Cup 2021
Gold: Savor Virginia Magazine: Reader’s Choice Award
Here are the tasting notes:
A bouquet of peach, apricot, and lychee gives way to vibrant acidity, peach, and pineapple flavors on the palate, before a round and lengthy floral finish.
Nose: intricate floral components, white peach, nectarine, vanilla
Palate: delicate, balanced, more peach, great weight
Finish: lingering acidity, round and well-balanced, floral
Pairings: white fish dishes (e.g., pan-fried sole or monkfish with a lemon butter sauce), Vietnamese food, some Thai and Chinese dishes
Due to COVID, the winery has made some changes, which may continue for the foreseeable future. Instead of tasting wines inside the tasting room, the entire operation has moved outdoors. You can select a flight or wine then take it out to one of three various sitting areas - a garden setting, a casual picnic table setting under a tent, or my personal favorite, a lawn setting with shaded tables overlooking the vineyards. No matter which area you choose to enjoy your wine at, you’ll be greeted by amazing views of the lush property. Both picnics and well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome.
#2 - King Family Vineyards in Crozet, VA
This winery is a real treat to visit on Sundays from May through October. Not only are their wines and grounds beautiful, but they also have a full horse stable, polo school and polo field on the grounds. Attending a Sunday polo game while wine tasting was my favorite activity while visiting Charlottesville - what’s more fun than getting dressed up to tailgate and watch ponies, right?!
The Roseland polo matches on Sundays are completely free to watch - the vineyard just asks that you purchase their wine onsite. The best way to enjoy a Sunday at King Family Vineyards is to arrive early around 10:30-11:00 a.m. before the 12:00 p.m. polo game. Pull your car right up to the field and set up your tailgate with a tent and chairs. We brought picnic snacks to enjoy with our King Family wines, which made for the perfect tailgate.
If you can’t visit on a Sunday during May through October, King Family Vineyards is still worth the visit for both the wine and the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and 30 acres of vineyards. There’s a covered veranda and brick patio for outdoor picnics and a cozy indoor Tasting Room with a stone fireplace.
A popular wine here, especially in the spring and summer seasons, is the 2020 Crosé (a rosé that’s playfully named after their small town Crozet). Here are the tasting notes:
Our dry, Merlot based rosé is fresh and crisp with notes of grapefruit, lime, watermelon, and a light grassiness on the nose. Throughout the palate, a lifting acidity carries flavors of bitter cherry, peach, and rose petal. Friendly with lighter fare, this wine is also a great companion for the porch or patio.
My personal favorite at this particular winery was the 2020 Viognier with citrus, honeysuckle, and white peach notes. Simply put, it was delightful! Here are the tasting notes:
The wine opens on the nose with zesty citrus, honeysuckle, and white peach notes. A rounded attack and smooth mouthfeel bring these notes to the palate. The finish is bright and fresh. Aged in a combination of stainless steel, neutral French oak, acacia, and concrete.
#3 - Barboursville Vineyards in Barboursville, VA
Although this winery is technically 30 minutes outside of Charlottesville, it’s worth the visit. This winery is set on an 18th century estate which still has the remnants of the Barboursville Ruins on display.
Barboursville Vineyards have several tasting options. The most casual setting is the Discovery Tasting Room - this is where I did my tastings. In efforts to create a more social distanced environment, Barboursville Vineyards recently invested in high-tech wine dispensary machines.
Guests are given a card with 6 credits and then they can go around the different Winestations. There are 4 wines within each wine station - each is set to that wine’s ideal serving temperature. You just walk up to the station, insert your card, press a button next to the wine of your choice, and watch a one ounce tasting pour into your glass. This was a fun way to do tastings - you could try multiple different tastings or just use all of your credits for a single full glass of wine. Though this innovation results in less time spent with staff learning about the wines, I still found the experience to be novel and interesting.
Staff was still there to answer any questions guests had and we were also given a paper hand-out with tasting notes for a self-guided experience. Hands down, my favorite wine from this tasting experience was the 2019 Cabernet Franc Reserve. It was so well-balanced and elegant that I bought 6 bottles! It pairs particularly well with braised veal roast, tagliolini, and roasted lamb with rosemary. Here are the tasting notes:
Dark garnet core, brilliant clarity in the glass. Intense, effusively luscious flavors of ripe red berries with caramelised notes of fig, cherry, and plum, elegantly woven together in barrel. Long-finishing and tannically vivid, yet with a remarkably soft palate.
If you still would like a more intense tasting experience, you can go to Library 1821 on the grounds. In this location, the winery presents a changing selection of flights of current and older vintages from their cellars, not just current vintages. With these flights, you also receive bite-sized culinary pairings.
After your tasting, stroll over to the Barboursville Ruins, one of Jefferson’s architectural masterpieces. Surrounded by large boxwood gardens, the Landmark Ruins are what’s left of the brick mansion that Jefferson designed for Governor James Barbour. Finished in 1822, the home had 8-rooms and an octagonal drawing room (which Jefferson was so fond of). On Christmas Day in 1884, everything but the brick walls, masonry partitions, and grand fluted columns were destroyed by fire. Though you cannot walk inside the ruins, you are free to get a 360° view of what’s left of this home.
Bonus! Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards in North Garden, VA
Not only does the setting look picturesque and inviting, but the wine and food menu look very appetizing. The relaxed elegance of this winery makes it a hot spot for private parties, weddings, graduations, and more.
Because Pippin Hill is also a farm, this winery does a particularly good job of pairing their wines with delicious farm-to-table foods. Menu items include cheese and meat plates, sliders, seasonal shared plates, appetizers, soups, and more. One look at their food menu and I’m in heaven, with shared dishes like spiced hummus, local peach and shishito, and grilled shrimp escabeche.
On Fridays, they host Featured Farmer Fridays - a mini farmers market showcasing food from local farmers in the area.
My go-to white wine choice is often Sauvignon Blanc, so I’m eager to try their signature 2020 Sauvignon Blanc the next time I visit Charlottesville. Tasting notes:
Made from grapes grown at the best vineyard sites in the area this wine is a beautiful expression of what local terroir can produce. Our lovely climate means acidity remains high on these grapes, making it one of our best food wines, pairing particularly well with shellfish. With its distinctive, vivid aromas and zesty acidity, this Sauvignon Blanc is our best yet, with bright hints of pineapple and lime on the tongue and a balanced, clean finish.
Nose: jasmine, lime zest, lavender, mango, kiwi
Palate: pineapple, lime, guava, limestone, white pepper
Finish: medium acidity, tart, clean
Pairings: goat and herb cheeses, green vegetables (e.g., brussel sprouts, asparagus, cucumbers, brocolli), chicken/fish/tofu served with herb-driven sauces, seafood/shellfish, Thai and Vietnamese dishes
Image courtesy of Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards.
Itinerary for Visiting the Best Wineries in Charlottesville, VA
Now that we’ve covered the top must-see wineries in Charlottesville, VA, let’s cover the ideal itinerary for experiencing each of these in a weekend timeframe.
Reserve Guided Wine Tasting Experience. Image courtesy of Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards.
Friday Afternoon - Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
To bring guests a true farm-to-table experience, the culinary team works with the local farmers to create a Friday special that highlights locally grown produce.
Book a Guided Wine Tasting Experience through Resy and arrive early. After walking around the open “farmer’s market”, enjoy a seated food and wine pairing, lasting 90 minutes. You’ll start with a 30 minute walking tour and some bubbly followed by a 60 minute wine tasting of 6 wines along with small food pairings, picnic-style. This experience is $100 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
The Tasting Room is open from 11:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. on Friday through Sunday. Last call for tastings at the table is 4:00 P.M. Even if you’re not interested in the Guided Wine Tasting Experience, reservations are still recommended.
Jefferson Vineyards Lawn. Image courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.
Saturday Lunch/Early Afternoon - Jefferson Vineyards
At present, Jefferson Vineyards is offering a completely outdoors experience. There are a variety of seating areas available including the Lawn, the Patio, the Covered Tent & Picnic Tables, or the Garden. There’s plenty of shade with the large tent, umbrellas, and some tree coverage. You’re free to set up your own picnic area on the Lawn with blankets and chairs.
Choose from 2 seasonal flights options of 4 wines each or purchase wines by the glass or bottle. A selection of cheeses, charcuteries, crackers, and chocolates are available for purchase, but you are also welcome to bring your own picnic snacks. The maximum group size allowed is 8 people (including children) and well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed on property.
Jefferson Vineyards is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11:00 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Barboursville Vineyard.
Saturday Late Afternoon/Dinner - Barboursville Vineyards
First, check out the historic Barboursville Ruins, then head over to the Discovery Tasting Room or the Library 1821.
The Discovery Tasting Room has Winestations and is a more casual setting. There’s a tasting fee of $15.00 which includes a choice of 6 one-ounce pours among 16 wines in self-dispensed automated Winestations. On Saturdays, it’s open from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
The Library 1821 is a more elevated experience where you can taste select vintages and culinary pairings. This experience starts at $25.00 per person. On Saturdays, it’s open from 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Want to turn your wine tasting experience into a memorable culinary experience? Make reservations at the Vineyard’s restaurant, Palladio, serving Northern Italian dishes. Dinner reservations are required and suggested to be made at least 2 weeks in advance. The Palladio Restaurant at the Barboursville Vineyards is open from 6:30 to 9:00 P.M. on Saturdays. Business casual or more formal is suggested for attire.
Polo Match at King Family Vineyards. Image courtesy of W&M Events.
Sunday - King Family Vineyards
Get ready for some wine and polo!!!
Weather-permitting, the matches are free and open to the public. If you want a good spot on the field to tailgate, arrive early between 10:00 and 10:30 A.M. (Gates open at 10:00 A.M.) You’re free to bring your own tailgate set up and food; the winery just asks that no outside alcohol be on property.
Before the polo game starts, walk over to the Tasting Room at try a classic self-guided wine tasting. Flights of 4 wines are $12.00 per person, plus tax. Take a look at the gift shop and use the restrooms before heading back to your tailgate to watch some ponies.
Throughout the match, King Family staff drives around on four-wheelers serving chilled bottles of wine and waters for purchase. (The 2020 Crosé, the Vineyard’s rosé wine, pairs very well with polo matches if you’re looking for recommendations!) ;)
~ Ready to start exploring the Monticello Wine Trail? Which winery do you want to visit first? Drop it in the comments below! ~
author bio
Known as The Jet Set Blonde, Brittany Ryan inspires others to add more adventure to their childfree travel experiences. Brittany has visited 23 countries (and counting!) Connect with her to get access to detailed childfree travel itineraries, travel guides for weekend getaways, and updates on adult-only hotels, resorts, cruises, and other travel amenities.
