Dreaming of a wine country getaway closer to home? For those on the East Coast look no further than Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia is one of the country’s top wine-producing states, with about forty wineries in the Charlottesville area alone. As the saying goes, Virginia is for (wine) lovers.
Not knowing much about Virginia before arriving, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by foliage-lined backroads and scenic Blue Ridge Mountain views throughout the weekend. Charlottesville and Keswick are beautifully landscaped in particular, with luxe farms and cozy wineries at every turn. If someone in your group isn’t a wine lover the area also has breweries, cideries, and distilleries worth exploring.
Transportation
There are two airports in the area, Charlottesville-Ablemarle and Richmond International. Select cities fly into Charlottesville directly and these flights tend to cost more, so we opted to fly into Richmond. Richmond is a quick hour and fifteen-minute drive from Charlottesville, and we rented a car for the weekend through Turo.
I recommend renting a car to explore the area because rideshare options are somewhat unreliable. We tried calling an Uber from our hotel, Keswick Hall, into Charlottesville one evening and none were available because of a UVA football game. Most vineyards are about 20 minutes apart as well, so it’s helpful to have a car to explore the area at your leisure.
Where to Stay
Keswick Hall is a beautiful hotel located just outside of Charlottesville. The estate was originally built in 1912 and the owners recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation and addition in 2021. The hotel has an infinity pool, spa, golf course, and a highly coveted Jean-Georges restaurant. More on that to come below…
Upon arrival grab a cocktail at the Crawford and cozy up by a wood-burning fireplace or try your hand at a game of pool. Southern hospitality reigns supreme at Keswick Hall, with the staff going above and beyond to help us during our stay. Keep in mind this all comes at a (hefty) cost. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, check out the Boar’s Head Resort or the Omni in Charlottesville.
Vineyards
Keswick Vineyard
We arrived at Keswick Hall early and our rooms weren’t ready, so we ventured down the road to check out Keswick Vineyard. Unsure what to try, we ordered a round of wine flights and snagged a table on their outdoor patio. The wines were just okay, although the bartender was very friendly and informative. Not to mention they offer a very generous pour…
Don’t go out of your way for this vineyard, but it’s a convenient option if you opt to stay at Keswick Hall.
Early Mountain Vineyard
There are plenty of great vineyards within a twenty-minute drive of Charlottesville, however, venture a bit further to Early Mountain to experience the region’s best wines. This vineyard checks all the boxes with fantastic wines, fresh bites, and a refined atmosphere. We ordered wine flights (you’ll notice a theme here) and a charcuterie board to split among the table.
The rose was the crowd favorite, although I personally enjoyed the Petit Manseng. Advertised as the red wine drinker’s white, it’s funky and unlike anything I’ve tried before. You can’t go wrong with any of the wines at Early Mountain, making the forty-five-minute drive worth the trek.
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyard
This was by far the most scenic vineyard we visited. Sweeping mountain views draw in crowds from near and far making Pippin Hill one of the more sought out destinations in the area. Book a reservation for the tasting room in advance, otherwise, the wait time will be lengthy. We polished off a wine flight and several small bites on Saturday afternoon, and all agreed it was a highlight of the trip. Pippin Hill showcases the true Virginia wine experience – a must-see when in the area.
Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard
The most unique vineyard of the trip. The decor inside is loud and eclectic, adorned with antique furnishings and vibrant patterns. Think Alice in Wonderland meets modern design. As strange as it may sound, it somehow works. Atmosphere aside, Merrie Mill’s wine is some of the best we tried. Everyone loved the Petit Verdot in particular. If you can, visit on a Friday or Saturday night to catch a live music performance!
Food
Ivy Provisions
Grab a sandwich at Ivy Provisions while on the go. The perfect midday stop to get some sustenance before hitting the next vineyard…
Marigold
Keswick Hall’s ‘rustic chic’ farm-to-table restaurant focuses on sustainable produce. If this sounds up your alley, drop what you’re doing and book a reservation right now. We learned the hard way dinner books out far in advance, having to settle for a 5:45 PM reservation.
Everything we tried was incredibly fresh, with each dish highlighting seasonal ingredients. Our waitress recommended the pumpkin dumplings, and they were out-of-this-world good. The cocktails were just as notable and multiple rounds were consumed. Regardless of where you stay, incorporate Marigold into your schedule.
Until next time, Charlottesville!