Northern Virginia Wine

Northern Virginia as it applies to wine encompasses the region between Washington, DC and Fredericksburg. It is bound by the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west and the Potomac River in the east. Loudon County is the heart of production, with its Middelburg American Viticultural Areas (AVA). Other counties in the region with wineries include Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Stafford, & Spotsylvania.

Understand

Northern Virginia vineyard

This is the fastest growing wine region in North America, with Washington and its wealthy suburbs within an hour's drive providing a willing market. The quality of wine, however, varies greatly from vineyard to vineyard. A reasonable, but not foolproof, rule-of-thumb is to watch out for oversized barns: barns aren't used in wine production but signal that the property's bread-and-butter is as a wedding venue.

Grapes

Virginia grows a wide variety of both old world, hybrid, and North American grapes. The most produced grapes are Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and the region's specialty Viognier. The Norton, native to the state, is a source of particular pride among growers. Franco-American hybrids such as Chambourcin and Vidal Blanc are also common.

Climate and soil

Most of Virginia east of the blue ridge mountains have loam soils. Climatically, Central Virginia is warm, with long summers and mild winters. The best vineyards are often at an elevation of 800 ft (above 240 m).

Regions

Middleburg AVA

Middleburg is the heart of Northern Virginia's wine country. The AVA stretches across central Loudon County and northwestern Fauquier County, along a valley between the Blue Ridge on the west and Catoctin Mountain in the East. Middleburg offers granite soils, eastern-facing hills, slightly cooler temperatures and more moisture than the rest of Loudon and Fauquier. Boudreaux varieties predominate though hybrids, and Italian varieties (especially Sangiovese & Nebbiolo) are produced by many wineries as well.

Loudoun County

Generally about an hour's drive from Washington, and much, much closer from Dulles International Airport, Loudoun is the biggest producer among Northern Virginia's counties and is extremely popular with day-trippers from the capital.

Loudoun Heights Cluster

In the far northwest, near the West Virginia border.

Potomac Cluster

In the northeast, facing Maryland along the Potomac River. Wineries concentrate along the Blue Ridge.

Waterford Cluster

In north central Loudoun.

Harmony Cluster

Central Loudoun, near Leesburg

Snickers Gap Cluster

In the southwest, near Purcellville.

Fauquier County

Rappahannock County

Rappahannock County benefits from its position along the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is a great region to visit coming from Shenandoah and Luray.

Culpeper County

Prince William County

  • 🌍 Aroma Wine Tasting, 9249 Center Street, Manassas, ☏ +1 540-935-8320, . F 4-9PM, Sa 1-8PM, Su noon-6PM. A tasting room is operated by Morais Vineyards & Winery, and they serve all the same wines available at the winery as well as limited release wines. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Effingham Manor Winery, 14325 Trotters Ridge Place, Nokesville, ☏ +1 703-594-2300. noon-6PM daily. A historic winery located in Nokesville with several picturesque buildings and landscapes to enjoy. Wine tasting, sampling, flights, and bottle service are available at the historic Manor House and winery building. The grounds are open for visitors to explore and contain picnic tables, firepits, a koi pond, and porches with comfortable seating options. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Nokesville Winery, 12593 Foremost Court, Nokesville, ☏ +1 703-330-3467. By appointment only. A small farm winery and vineyard focusing on soil-to-bottle production that strives to produce quality wines for all to enjoy. They are open by reservation only, which can be made on the website ahead of time. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 The Winery at La Grange, 4970 Antioch Road, Haymarket, ☏ +1 703-753-9360. Su-Th noon-6PM, F Sa noon-8PM. Prince William County’s oldest established winery, is housed in an 18th century manor house surrounded by an expansive vineyard. The vineyard and winery feature year-round, seasonal events and host wine tastings in both the barrel room and manor house. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm, 15850 Sunshine Ridge Lane Gainesville, ☏ +1 703-753-9500. Located on Lake Manassas with a rustic wine tasting room and an old pub style brewery with large fireplaces. (updated Feb 2024)

Fairfax County

The closest to Washington, DC.

Stafford County

Spotsylvania County

Centered around Fredericksburg.

Buy

Many Virginia producers are small-scale, so if you like a bottle, it is best to buy it straight from the source.

Virginia ABC stores have a better selection than most grocery stores. Large retailers like Total Wine have a limited selection.

Linden Vineyards

See also

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