Hiddencroft Vineyards
Clyde Housel needed a way to serve sips to guests without standing next to them and pouring. So he grabbed some two-by-fours, painted them, and made slots for tiny glass bottles. (You pour the wine into a glass.) Hiddencroft offers two flights—either red and port or white, rosé, and fruit wine—for $10 each. 12202 Axline Rd., Lovettsville; 540-535-5367.
Rappahannock Cellars
Inspired by a California winery that serves tastes in test tubes, Kelly Delmare Knight decided to experiment, too. Now she’s ordering 2,000 disposable plastic tubes a month. Four flights are available, including a sparkling lineup; each is $15 with a glass and can be sipped at one of more than 100 picnic tables. 14437 Hume Rd., Huntly; 540-635-9398.
Chateau MerrillAnne
When wineries could reopen to guests, many sold bottles only. To attract visitors who didn’t want to buy full bottles, the vineyard created a small-bottle tasting kit. You can enjoy it in its meadow or take the kit home. A flight of two whites, two reds, and a blush is $12 with a glass. 16234 Marquis Rd., Orange; 540-656-6177.
Photographs courtesy of wineries
This article originally appeared in the October, 2020 issue of Washingtonian.
Sherri Dalphonse joined Washingtonian in 1986 as an editorial intern, and worked her way to the top of the masthead when she was named editor-in-chief in 2022. She oversees the magazine’s editorial staff, and guides the magazine’s stories and direction. She lives in DC.
