Staunton Area Wineries and One Close to Home

Last weekend, we made the trek down to Staunton, Virginia with my parents Joe and Carolyn.  For those of you who aren't familiar, Staunton is a little hidden gem in the Shenandoah Valley, about 45 minutes from Charlottesville.  My husband and I have been quite a few times, staying at wonderful B&Bs, eating tasty local food, and of course enjoying a show at the Blackfriar's Playhouse, the only replica of Shakespeare's indoor theatre.  The difference for this trip was a visit to Staunton's two wineries.

Ox-Eye Tasting Room in
Downtown Staunton

First, we visited Ox-Eye Vineyards, named after the daisy.  Rather than having a tasting room at the vineyard, they have a tasting room in downtown Staunton in a beautiful historic building.  They are the newest winery we've visited to-date, with their tasting room just opening on April 1.  You can choose between a half a tasting for $2.50 or a full tasting for $5.  We, of course, went for the full tasting!  We tried four whites and three reds, including a pinot noir that you don't see in many climates in Virginia.  For a young winery, they have some room to grow but we did enjoy the Cabernet Franc that is also the winemaker's favorite.  Their bottles range from $16 to $24.

My parents enjoying
the patio at Barren Ridge

Barren Ridge

Then it was off to Barren Ridge Vineyards, with breathtaking views of the Shenandoah Valley and a stellar venue with an old world feel.  They offer 8 complimentary wines to taste or you can do the full tasting for $5 which includes a whopping 14 wines.  Again, we went for the full experience and tasted all 14, ranging from a wonderfully oaky 2008 Chardonnay to a spectacular Touriga, a new one for us, which is the national grape of Portugal. Barren Ridge acquires our favorite wines to-date label.  This is one not to miss! Bottles range from $14 to $32.  Visit this one before dusk to enjoy the sunset from their patio.

Pearmund Cellars

The next day, we were off to Pearmund Cellars, located in Broad Run, Virginia, about 15 minutes from I-66 for you NoVa folks.  The ride from the street to the tasting room is through the vineyard which is vast and comprised of all Chardonnay grapes since 1976.  We got there early on Sunday so the tasting room was less crowded than usual.  The winemaker, Chris Pearmund, also has opened two additional wineries in recent years, La Grange and Vint Hill Craft.  They offer many choices for the tasting, a classic tasting for $5, reserve tasting for $7 or combined tasting for $10.  The tasting fees and bottles we've been purchasing have been getting to us lately so we opted for the classic this go around.  We were happy as it included their well known Old Vine Chardonnay and a Viognier, recently named Virginia's official white grape and easily a favorite of mine with a really amazing nose that I could enjoy all day.  Bottles range from $19 to $29.

I've realized in writing the last few weeks, that I've come to determine some tips of visiting Virginia wineries.  Therefore, I'm going to occasionally offer a tip for those of you who are interested.

Tip #1: Looking to avoid crowds on the weekends?  Visit earlier in the day.  Wineries are typically less crowded and if it's in the middle of the summer, it's less humid too!

4th of July Weekend - 3 more down!

Well, I'd say we learned lesson one this weekend about visiting Virginia wineries.  Avoid 'em on holiday weekends if you don't like the big crowds!  Regardless, we did check another three wineries off our list.

Original barn turned tasting room

View from Willowcroft

Saturday, we ventured out to Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, about a 15 minute ride from Leesburg on a rough dirt road.  As we approached the winery, we were pleasantly surprised.  The old horse farm turned winery is thirty years old, making it Loudoun County's first winery.  The original barn has been turned into the tasting room and the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the multiple picnic benches make this the ideal afternoon hangout (at least in my book!).  For the tasting, we tried 8 wines for $5. Prices of their wines ranged fro $13.99 to $26.99.  Our favorite was the 2005 Cab Sav which we acquired a bottle for our growing wine cellar.  Overall, we really enjoyed this winery for the views, venue, and laid back atmosphere.

Premier tasting

Vintage Ridge

Friends including Mollie, Christiana, and Buddha

Sunday, we met up our friends in Rectortown, Virginia at Vintage Ridge Vineyards.   This is by far the closest Napa experience we've had in Virginia as their approach is very similar to the few Napa wineries we've been to.  The tasting room was absolutely georgeous and tables were available both inside and out.  We were seated for the tasting and could choose between the basic tasting for $10 or the premier pairing for $18 which includes gourmet food.  We went with the pairing despite the steep price and tasted seven wines, which ranged from $20 to $28.  They poured generously and we were able to really take our time so it was a fun experience overall.  The food was tasty however don't come prepared to get filled up; it's a tasting not a meal after all!  We will definitely bring out of town guests here for a unique experience.  Oh and the pairing price doesn't include the mandatory gratuity so don't plan to come here without spending at least $20 per person.

Three Fox Vineyards

The last stop on Sunday was a visit to Three Fox Vineyards in Delaplane.  So far, this has been our least pleasant winery experience.  Their driveway is quite challenging and parking even worse.  You really need a 4-wheel drive to get here.  By mid-afternoon, the winery was packed and it was extremely humid outside and uncomfortable inside the tasting room as well.  The tasting room seemed like an oversized shed so really unpolished and very crammed.  However, the grounds were pretty with many rolling hills so on a nice day, it would be great for a family with children with ample space to run and play.  The tasting was $6 and we tried 9 wines.  Despite the not so positive experience, I actually very much enjoyed their wines and we took home a bottle of Sirius, a red with a great nose.  Their wines range in price from $21 to $29 plus they have a sparkling chardonnay for $35.