Even though Virginia’s wine industry is steeped in more than 400 years of history, our wineries continue to evolve. Every year there is a new winery, a latest wine, and a fresh way to enjoy what nature provides. The industry has been expanding as well, with now twelve wineries offering breweries and four with distilleries onsite, and numerous cideries and meaderies on the Wine Guide list. A number of wineries list themselves as adult-only, while 50 others welcome dogs on leashes.
While we are still under social distancing rules, visitors to our Wine Guide members are seeing changes in the way these establishments operate. Normal belly-up-to-the-bar tastings are suspended for the time being. Reservations are being recommended or required. Your own food can be brought onto the grounds at various venues. And you may need to purchase wine by the bottle or glass, or even bring your own glass. As each business has its own guidelines, restrictions and hours of operations, it may be best to check ahead online before driving up.
New to the 2020-2021 Winery Guide
Although they may not be brand new, these Northern Virginia wineries and cideries are new to this year’s winery guide or have something new to offer:
Capstone Vineyards
13400 Crimson Lane
Linden, VA 22642
New to the current wine guide, this winery was founded in 2013 and is taking appointments for tastings.
Chapelle Charlemagne Vineyards
13453 Crest Hill Rd.
Flint Hill, VA 22627
Although this 60-acre farm vineyard has been providing hand-crafted, single-vineyards artisanal wines for decades, the new winery and tasting room opened in 2019. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the tasting room is temporarily closed to the public. The winery is offering free local delivery to the DMV area. Its wines include a Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Rosé.
Eagletree Farm Vineyards
15100 Harrison Hill Lane
Leesburg, VA 20176
This is a family-owned and chef-driven winery selling estate-produced wines. Enjoy their outdoor pavilion and wood-fired pizza oven, nature trails, and a full chef-inspired menu promoting local cuisine in its restaurant.
Fleetwood Farm Winery
23075 Evergreen Mills Rd.
Leesburg, VA, 20175
The adults-only Fleetwood Farm, also known as the Greenhill Plantation and Peggy’s Green, offers a Federal-style house thought to have been built around 1775. The historic Virginia manor house is ideal for weddings. During normal operation, visitors can enjoy food trucks and music along with their wine experiences, but until the coronavirus distancing rules are lifted, wine is available for purchase and the Grand Terrace is open at 50% occupancy with no reservations required. A designated event space is scheduled to open in 2020 and private events can be booked for July and beyond. This winery and tasting room opened in 2018, but appears newly on this year’s guide.
Lost Boy Cider
317 Hooffs Run Dr.
Alexandria, VA 22314
Opened in 2019, this is Northern Virginia’s first urban cidery, featuring an industrial look in an old print shop and offering all-natural, gluten free, hand-crafted cider. It qualifies as a farm winery, since owner Tristan Wright was able to plant eight apple trees in a small space along the road.
Magnolia Vineyards
200 Viewtown Rd.
Amissville, VA 20106
Virginia’s 251st winery began offering its wine in 2011, but opened its new tasting room with a wide wrap-around covered porch and outdoor seating among the vines in 2019. It provides a carefully-selected variety of Old World wines prepared in the classic European style. Groups of eight or more require a reservation.
Montifalco Vineyard
1800 Fray Rd.
Ruckersville, VA 22968
This small, adults-only, European-vibed winery opened in 2019 to offer Old World-style wines. Owner Justin Falco attended the French Culinary Institute, now known as the International Culinary Center, graduating with a Level II Sommelier Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Wine and bison steak orders are currently available in advance for pick-up.
Mt. Defiance Cidery
495 E. Washington St
Middleburg, VA 20117
Small-batch, artisan ciders and spirits like apple brandy, rum, almond liqueur and Absinthe can be found at Mt. Defiance in the cidery barn tasting hall and the distillery. Although established in 2014 as a craft cidery, it is new to this year’s guide.
Old Trade Cidery
13270 Alanthus Rd.
Brandy Stations, VA 22714
In addition to its craft beer through the 2017-opened Old Trade Brewery, Old Trade Farm is now a farm cidery and winery with an indoor tasting room, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, adult lounging tasting room, and a bistro patio with sunset views. Groups of 8 or more should call for a reservation.
