1. Sipping Under the Stars at the Potomac Point Vineyard & Winery
May 13, June 23, July 22, August 19
Start with dinner at the Tuscan-style bistro or pack a picnic for sunset, followed by a movie in the vineyard. $10.
2. Embrace the Race 5K at the Knob Hall Winery
May 28
Run or walk across fields and through the vineyard, enjoying mountain views. Cap off the run with a glass of wine, included in the registration fee ($40 through May 14, $50 after).
3. Winestock Festival at the Little Washington Winery
June 3
Dress in tie-dye and put flowers in your hair for this festival with live music, food trucks, and wine-and-chocolate pairings. Pets and kids welcome (ages 16 and under free). $20 in advance, $30 at the door.
4. Follow the Grape at the Sunset Hills Vineyard
Check website for dates
In sessions with the winemaker, try your hand at planting, canopy management, harvest, and barrel tasting. $12, including a glass of wine; register at sunsethillsvineyard.com.
5. The 20th Annual Cajun Festival at the Breaux Vineyards
June 10
Expect Cajun bands and food, craft vendors, and face painting for the kids. Bring blankets or chairs. $16 in advance, $20 at the gate; $10 for non-drinkers and kids over age four; under four free.
6. Barn Dance at the Rocklands Farm Winery & Market
June 17
In a gussied-up barn, a band and a square-dance caller get everyone do-si-do-ing. Fuel up with wines by the glass and Neapolitan-style pie from Pizza Brama, a mobile wood-fired oven. Dance: $8.
7. Art Show at the Linganore Winecellars
June 24 and 25
This family-friendly festival is part art show, part food fest, part top-40 concert. $15 online, $20 at the gate; ticket includes winetasting and winery tour. Kids 17 and under free.
8. Crab Feast at the Tarara Winery
July 15
Enjoy all-you-can-eat crab and sides, cornhole, and deejay music, plus a ticket to that night’s Beatlemania concert at Shadow Lake on the winery grounds. $75; $35 under age 21.
9. Lucy Grape Stomp at Three Fox Vineyards
September 23
The 11th annual grape-stomping competition includes a Lucy/Ricky/Fred/Ethel look-alike contest, music, pizza, and Italian-style wines. Free; register for the stomping contest at threefoxvineyards.com.
Read more from our winery guide to Maryland and Virginia.
This article appears in the May 2017 issue of Washingtonian.
Nancy Bauer is founder of the popular Facebook group, Virginia Wine Love, and the website VirginiaWineLove.com.
