This May, Virginia wine fans will gather at wineries across the state to share their Virginia wine love during the first Virginia Wine Love Weekend.
Wineries will put their own unique spin on the meet-up, scheduled for May 13-14, including VIP reserved tables for Virginia Wine Love-ers to meet, share favorite winery stories, and pick up wine country travel tips. (See who's participating and their weekend activities here - and check back for new additions!)
Each winery's event will be different, but here's a sample of what some are planning:
Special "Gold Medal" tastings
Complimentary cheese plates and food pairings
Tables hosted by winery owners, winemakers, and your favorite tasting room staff
Wine Trivia
Winery tours
Cellars tastings & barrel tastings
Live music
Food trucks
Discounts on wine purchases
PLUS!
At each winery, guests can check-in and will be entered into the “Virginia Wine Loves You Back” Giveaway, with prizes from wineries around the state. (See the growing list of prizes here.) Prizes will be drawn at random and announced on the Virginia Wine Love Facebook group on May 22.
Take a Road Trip - Make it a Weekend! Wineries share recommendations for where to stay and dine in their area here. Book early, get to know a new part of Virginia, and check off a few new-to-you wineries!
The weekend is a celebration of the outpouring of winery love when COVID disrupted the industry in 2020. Virginia wine fans flocked to the new Virginia Wine Love Facebook group to find out how they could support their favorites wineries, and their help is what kept many wineries in business during that difficult time. The group has now grown to nearly 11,000 members, and this first Virginia Wine Love Weekend is a chance for virtual friends from the group to meet for the first time, but all Virginia wine lovers who'd like to meet some fellow fans are welcome.
PARTICIPATING WINERIES
*All wineries will have reserved tables for Virginia Wine Love - look for them when you arrive! Details will be added as they are available.
868 Estate Vineyards, Purcellville (Northern VA)
Dates Participating: Both Days, Noon to 5:00PM
Reservations? Groups of 7 or more.
Activities:
Live music Saturday with Laura Cashman (1–4) and Noah Poncin (5–8), Sunday with Freddie Long (2–5).
Sunday book signing with Virginia wine mystery writer Ellen Crosby from 1–3. Ellen will sign copies of her new book, Blow Up. Bring copies of Ellen's mystery series for signing, or order them from Winchester Book Gallery and they'll be waiting for you at the event.
8 Chains North Winery, Waterford (Northern VA)
Dates Participating: Both Days, 11-6PM
Reservations? No
Activities:
10% off bottle purchases
10% coupon given with purchase for future bottle purchase until 7/31/23
Afton Mountain Vineyards, Afton (Central VA)
Dates Participating: Saturday, May 13, 5-8PM
Reservations? No
Activities: Live music.
Blenheim Vineyards, Charlottesville (Central VA)
Breaux Vineyards, Purcellville (Northern VA)
Briede Family Vineyards, Winchester (Shenandoah Valley)
Dates Participating: Saturday, May 13, 12-5PM
Reservations? No
Activities:
Seating for the Virginia Wine Love group in the Grotto Pavilion.
Wine tours at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm with a complimentary tasting.
Complimentary nibbles.
Owners Loretta or Paul Briede will stop by the table regularly through the day.
Music by Melanie Pearl Music from 2:30-5:30.
Note from the owners: Enjoy a vineyard tour while you sip on a complimentary tasting of a grape variety that put us in the prestigious book Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, by Jancis Robinson/Julia Harding. We are the only Virginia producers of this grape, and it's our number seller!
Brix & Columns Vineyards, McGaheysville (Shenandoah Valley)
Cave Ridge Vineyard, Mt. Jackson (Shenandoah Valley)
Chateau O’Brien, Markham (Northern VA)
Dates Participating: Sunday, May 14, 12-2:00PM
Reservations? Suggested but not required. E-mail Howard@chateauobrien.com
Activities:
Hosted by Joanne Mulherin and Howard O’Brien
Reserved Virginia Wine Love area in the tasting building
Complimentary cupcakes (while they last).
Sign in to be entered in a giveaway of two bottles of Chateau O'Brien wine and Lily O'Brien Chocolates from Ireland.
*Note: No one under 21. No pets.
Chateau MerrillAnne, Orange (Central VA)
Dates Participating: Both Days
Reservations? No
Activities:
"Girls on Grapes!"Annual celebration of all things "girl", shopping and great food and wine! Vendors, Zippy's Smokeshack BBQ, Suki's Tiki bar with wine slushies, sangrias and delicious wine cocktails. Wine/chocolate pairings in the tasting room. Baby goat photo booth where you can get your picture taken cuddling a baby goat.
Chestnut Oak Vineyard, Barboursville (Central VA)
Chisholm Vineyards, Earlysville (Central VA)
Dates Participating: Both Days, 12-5PM
Reservations? No (groups of 10 or more only)
Activities:
Table hosted by winery staff
Flights of Gold Medal winners available for purchase.
DelFosse Vineyards and Winery, Faber (Central VA)
Dates Participating: Both Days
Reservations? No
Activities: An offering of treats, including a “sweet” and a “savory.”
DuCard Vineyards, Etlan (Central VA)
Doukenie Winery, Hillsboro (Northern VA)
Endhardt Vineyards, Purcellville (Northern VA)
Fables & Feathers Winery, Goodview (Central VA)
Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyards, Louisa (Central VA)
Dates Participating: Both Days, 11-4:30PM
Reservations? Groups of 8 or more please call 540-894-1536.
Activities:
Reserved private space above the tasting room (stairs involved) or reserved tables on our covered deck for Virginia Wine Love group.
Wine Tasting Experience with Winegrower/Owner, Dave Drillock. Select eight wines of your choice from our current offerings for a special price of $10.
Live music both days. Food Truck 11:00-4:00 on Sunday.
Flying Fox Vineyard, Afton (Central VA)
Fox Meadow Winery, Linden (Northern Virginia)
Good Spirit Farm, Round Hill (Northern Virginia)
Gray Ghost Vineyards, Amissville (Northern VA)
Dates Participating: Both Days, 11-5PM
Reservations? No
Activities:
Bills Backyard BBQ.
Live music Saturday 12:30-4:30 featuring Heartstrings and Sunday 1-4:00 featuring Mo and Mary Mac.
Owners/winemakers Al and Cheryl Kellert and Amy Payette will stop by to greet Virginia Wine Love-ers.
Hardware Hills Winery, Scottsville (Central VA)
Dates Participating: Both Days
Reservations? No
Activities:
Snacks for Virginia Wine Love-ers
5% off bottle sales
Table hosted by owners Andrea or Rob Nickels
Hark Vineyards, Earlysville (Central VA)
Horton Vineyards, Gordonsville (Central VA)
Hunting Creek Vineyards, Clover (Southern VA)
Ingleside Vineyards, Oak Grove (Chesapeake Bay region)
Dates Participating: Saturday, May 13
Reservations? No
Activities: Two for one wine tastings.
King Family Vineyards, Crozet (Central VA)
Knight's Gambit Vineyard, Charlottesville (Central VA)
Little Washington Winery, Washington (Northern VA)
Magnolia Vineyards & Winery, Amissville (Northern VA)
Dates Participating: Both Days
Reservations? For 6 or more only
Activities:
Tables will be reserved on our gorgeous deck. Backup location inside in our barrel/tank room in inclement weather.
Self-guided tasting of 6 wines paired with bites of cheeses and chocolates for $12.
Twenty percent off bottle purchases (excluding library wines).
Glenn and Tina, owners/winemakers, will offer winery tours at 1p and 3p.
Wine trivia at the tables to spark fun discussions among new friends!
Saturday May 13 only: Enjoy lunch with Fearless Eats Food Truck and live music with Acoustic Soul Duo 2p - 5p.
Allison, the manager at Magnolia, will be on hand to help with questions/provide service.
Morais Vineyards, Bealeton (Northern VA)
New Kent Winery, New Kent (Hampton Roads)
Notaviva Farm Brewery & Winery, Purcellville (Northern VA)
North Mountain Vineyard, Toms Brook (Shenandoah Valley)
Old Farm Winery at Hartland, Aldie (Northern VA)
Pearmund Cellars, Broad Run (Northern VA)
Dates Participating: TBD
Reservation? No
Activities: Reserved table in the Barrel Room.
Pollak Vineyards, Charlottesville (Central VA)
Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery, Leon (Central VA)
Rosemont Vineyards, LaCrosse (Southern VA)
Dates Participating: Both Days, 1-6PM
Reservation? No
Activities: TBD
Southern Revere Cellars, Louisa (Central VA)
The Dog & Oyster Micro Vineyard, Irvington (Chesapeake Bay region)
The Estate at White Hall Vineyard, King George (Chesapeake Bay region)
The Hague Winery, Hague (Chesapeake Bay region)
The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm, Gainesville (Northern Virginia)
Three Fox Vineyards, Delaplane (Northern VA)
Two Twisted Posts, Purcellville (Northern VA)
Veritas Vineyards, Afton (Central VA)
Villa Appalaccia, Floyd (Blue Ridge region)
Walsh Family Wine, Purcellville (Northern Virginia)
Williams Gap Vineyard, Round Hill (Northern Virginia)
Wolf Gap Vineyard & Winery, Edinburg (Shenandoah Valley)
Also, check out our partner venue!
2nd Annual VeryAsian VA Celebration at the Dairy Market, Charlottesville (Central VA)
Dates Participating: Saturday, May 13
Reservation? No
Activities: Virginia Wine Lover-ers are welcome at the VeryAsian VA Second Annual Celebration. Wine tasting paired with various Asian bite-sized samples.
ROAD TRIP: WHERE TO STAY & DINE
Briede Vineyards, Winchester
Where to Stay: George Washington Hotel, Winchester
Chisholm Vineyards, Earlysville
Where to Stay: Lake House AirBnB (on winery grounds), contact Andrea Matheson (andrea@chisholmvineyards.com)
Fifty-Third Vineyards, Louisa
Where to Stay: Kelly's Place Airbnb - Just minutes from the winery! Mention Virginia Wine Love Weekend and receive 15% off of your booking.
The Boxley Place Inn Bed and Breakfast, Louisa VA
Where to Eat: Obrigado in Louisa or Callie Opie's Orchard Restaurant in Minera
Hardware Hills, Scottsville
Where to Stay: The Cottage at Hardware Hills (on winery grounds)
Ingleside Vineyards, Oak Grove
Where to Stay: See lodging options and sample itineraries
Magnolia Vineyards, Amissville
Where to Stay:
-Castleton Meadows, Castleton
-Hazel River Inn, Culpeper
-Blue Door, Flint Hill
-Glen Gordon Manor, Flint Hill
-Hopkins Ordinary, Sperryville
-Shadow Mountain Escape, Luray
Where to Eat:
-Patty O’s Cafe, Little Washington
-Dark Horse Tavern, Flint Hill
-Blue Door, Flint Hill
-Blue Rock, Little Washington
-Denim & Pearls, Warrenton
-Claire's at the Depot, Warrenton
-Molly's, Warrenton
PRIZES: Virginia Wine Gives Back Giveaway
Check in at the Virginia Wine Love table at each participating winery you visit on May 13/14 to be entered in the Giveaway. Winners will be chosen at random and announced in the Virginia Wine Love Facebook group on May 22. *Prizes must be collected at the winery and will not be mailed. All activities to be scheduled at a mutually convenient time.
Delfosse Vineyards - Tasting for four hosted by the winery owner and featuring Screaming Hawk Meritage, the wine that won this year’s Governor’s Cup Competition (Tip: Delfosse is currently changing its name to Mountain & Vine Vineyards and Winery)
868 Vineyards - Two complimentary wine tastings
8 Chains North Winery - Private picnic for two for two hours including a bottle of your favorite 8 Chains North wine, a delicious assortment of meats, cheeses, and crackers, and other mouth watering accoutrements.
Briede Vineyards - Free ballroom dance lesson, charcuterie board, and glass of wine for two on your choice of scheduled ballroom dance event dates. June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, October 14.
Chateau MerrillAnne - Gift certificate for two free tastings
Chateau O'Brien - A Private Cellar Tasting for four with owner/winemaker, including light fare and older vintages. Value $200
Chisholm Vineyards - Two wine tumblers and complimentary tasting for two
Magnolia Vineyards - Two complimentary tastings with logo glass and logo corkscrew
Wine Guild Charlottesville - One-year membership and tinned fish-centric gift box