Start at: The Winery at La Grange
Step up to the friendly bar at this grand manor house and, if it’s available, try the Snort, a port-style dessert wine. Upstairs, there’s reportedly a ghost or two, so maybe head outside, where a boxwood archway frames an Instagrammable scene. Tasting: $6 to $9.
Lunch stop: Hidden Julles Cafe
Sandwiches such as the French dip and pesto chicken salad are elevated by organic meats, local produce, and house-made bread. Eat in or take it to go—there’s space to spread out at your next stop. 14950 Washington St., Haymarket; 571-248-2647.
Next stop: Pearmund Cellars
Pearmund claims the oldest Chardonnay vines in Virginia, with 40 years of fruitful production. Wandering the vineyard is encouraged, and well-spaced picnic tables are great for a secluded lunch. Try the Chardonnay, naturally. Tasting: $10 and up.
Last stop: The Winery at Bull Run
This winery, next to Manassas National Battlefield Park, is big—several tasting bars, more than 100 picnic tables—and the Civil War is everywhere. Follow the winery’s historical markers or take a one-hour Historical Tour & Tasting (taste while you walk; $35 including eight wines). Walk-in tours are at set times on weekends; for weekdays, arrange a private tour, at least five business days ahead, at wineryatbullrun.com/visit. Or skip a tour and simply sample, among others, the Norton, which has its own interesting history. Tasting: $14.
Round trip from DC: 100 miles
Read more from our winery guide:
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.
