Travel

Easy Escapes: Taste Virginia’s Best Wines

Charlottesville’s Monticello Wine Trail highlights what may be the Mid-Atlantic’s best wine. Here are four good reasons to visit the area.

Keswick Vineyards

Winemaker Stephen Barnard’s bold interpretations of wines not
often found locally include Verdejo, Touriga, and Syrah. Barstools line
the friendly, relaxed tasting room–visitors are encouraged to sit and stay
awhile.

keswickvineyards.com

Virginia Wineworks

The industrial, no-frills setting focuses attention on the Old
World Bordeaux-style blends and crowd-pleasing box wines from innovative
winemaker Michael Shaps. You can add your signature to the
graffiti-covered tasting bar.

virginiawineworks.com

Veritas Vineyard & Winery

A country-chic tasting room and endless Blue Ridge views set
the scene for romance. Pick up a bottle of Scintilla, a brut sparkling
wine, and dream away the afternoon in an Adirondack chair overlooking the
vineyard.

veritaswines.com

Arcady Vineyard Wine Tours and B&B

Wine enthusiasts Erika and Chris Goodell specialize in
customized, escorted vineyard tours ($145 a person). They also offer rooms
and suites with whirlpool tubs and electric fireplaces; a two-night
weekend package costs $800 to $855, including a winery tour.

arcadyvineyard.com

Learn more at Monticello Wine Trail.

Nancy Bauer

Nancy Bauer is founder of the popular Facebook group, Virginia Wine Love, and the website VirginiaWineLove.com.