Stunning Virginia Wineries to Visit This Spring

Fewer things pair better than a glass of Virginia wine and the gorgeous spring weather found in the Commonwealth. With the season finally here, it’s time to visit a scenic Virginia winery and enjoy a glass of refreshing vino outdoors. Head to a few of these stunning wineries that combine beautiful scenery and excellent Virginia wines for a memorable spring experience in Virginia.

STONE TOWER WINERY—LEESBURG

Photo Credit: Jeff Mauritzen, @jeffmauritzen

Set atop Hogback Mountain in rural Northern Virginia, Stone Tower Winery is surrounded by 300 acres of vineyards and rolling mountain landscape. The winery offers two tasting room options; the Harvest Barn is a family-friendly tasting room with six tasting bars on the lower level and a rustic vaulted wood ceiling above the upper level, and the Tower View Tasting Room adjacent to the barn welcomes visitors 21 and up to sample wines at the numerous tasting bars or leather couches within the space. On sunny spring days, sit outside on the patio as you savor your wines, or bring a blanket for a picnic on the lawn. Purchase cheeses, crackers, and other snacks from the shop inside the Tower View Tasting Room to pair with your wine.

Best Wines for Spring: Stone Tower Winery creates several lines for their wines: The Stone Tower Estate wines are made exclusively from grapes grown atop Hogback Mountains, Wild Boar Cellars wines are made on-site using grapes grown in the best regions around the world, and Maison Sanglier is made with grapes from the winery’s latest project in Burgundy, France. For spring, try the Coteaux Burgundy Rosé, the Brut Rosé, Estate Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, Rosé of Pinot Noir Pét-Nat, Blanc de Gamay Pét-Nat, Estate Chardonnay, Wild Boar Viognier, and Wild Boar Riesling.

EARLY MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS—MADISON

Photo Credit: Cathy Anderson

Part of the Monticello Wine Trail, Early Mountain Vineyards sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with spectacular mountain views surrounding the open patio and outdoor picnic area. In addition to serving their own wines, Early Mountain also offers a “Best of Virginia” flight featuring a curated list of wines from award-winning Virginia vineyards. Enjoy your wines with seasonal small plates from the winery’s restaurant, including artisanal charcuterie boards, sandwiches like pastrami on rye, and sweet seasonal desserts that perfectly complement the lighter spring wines. Wander out onto the lush green lawns after eating and grab a seat at one of the picnic tables, or on cool spring nights cozy up beside one of the fire pit stations with your wine to warm up.

Best Wines for Spring: Sample Early Mountain’s  Rosé, Estate Brut, Pur White Wine, Five Forks Petit Manseng/Sauvignon Blanc Blend, Chardonnay, and Petit Manseng during your spring vineyard visit.

CHATEAU MORRISETTE WINERY—FLOYD

Photo Credit: Star City Skycams, @starcityskycams

While the winery itself is an idyllic destination, driving to Chateau Morrisette Winery along the famed Blue Ridge Parkway is half the fun, especially in the springtime. The winery is located above the Rock Castle Gorge Wilderness Area of the Blue Ridge Mountains, inviting guests to enjoy their wines surrounded by magnificent natural landscapes. Walk along the wildflower-lined pathways towards the tasting room, where a vine-covered trellis creates a wild yet inviting entrance to the winery. A full-service restaurant at the winery serves daily lunch and dinner, as well as a Sunday brunch.

Best Wines for Spring: Try the Pinot Grigio, Vidal Blanc, Angel Chardonnay, Chardonnay, Chardonnay Reserve, Rosé, Viognier, Petit Manseng, Sweet Mountain Laurel, and Our Dog Blue when visiting Chateau Morrisette in spring. If you’re a fan of fruity wines, they also craft several fruit-flavored wines, like Blackberry, Sweet Mountain Apple, and Farmhouse Sangria Red.

ANKIDA RIDGE VINEYARDS—AMHERST

A micro-boutique winery on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ankida Ridge Vineyards provides a peaceful escape for wine enthusiasts in the springtime. Sheep graze on the pastoral mountainside surrounding the vineyard and bright trees blossoming throughout the property craft a striking spring backdrop. Bring your own picnic lunch and sit out on the lawn with a glass of wine, or grab a seat on the patio and order from their charcuterie menu as you take in the magical views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Best Wines for Spring: Ankida Ridge’s Chardonnay, Rockgarden Vert, and Sparkling Blanc de Blancs are all ideal options for spring sipping.

BELIVEAU ESTATE WINERY—BLACKSBURG

Another gem in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Beliveau Estate Winery is an 165-acre scenic vineyard located about 12 miles outside of Blacksburg. In addition to an elegant tasting room with an outdoor patio, the winery also features on-site hiking trails that welcome visitors to roam through the vineyard’s rural grounds. Follow the incredible scent to the fragrant lavender gardens, a picture-perfect spot for a spring picnic, or spread a blanket on the banks of the serene ponds for a waterfront meal. If you don’t want to worry about packing your own fare, order something from the Chef’s Daily Menu, like a wood-fired pizza or a light seasonal appetizer that highlights the bright spring flavors of the wines.

Best Wines for Spring: Don’t miss the Destiny Vidal Blanc, Pristine Chardonel, Mystique Chardonnay, Crown Jewel White Wine, and Lovers Quest, a Vidal Blanc/Chardonney blend at Beliveau Estate Winery.

CROSSKEYS VINEYARD & WINERY—MOUNT CRAWFORD

CrossKeys Vineyard & Winery sits on 150 acres in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. The winery’s drive is lined with grapevines and green pastures, and the Blue Ridge Mountains rise behind the tasting room, creating an impressive entrance in the springtime.

Best Wines for Spring: Sample CrossKeys’ Ali 2017, Joy White Vidal Blanc, Viognier, Fiore Rosé, and the Chardonnay.

IRON HEART WINERY—ALLISONIA

Photo Credit: Adam Fariss, @ironheartwinery

Located on a sleepy family-owned farm in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia, Iron Heart Winery embraces spring with expansive green pastures, gorgeous colorful wildflowers, and flourishing grapevines lining the grounds. A large stream bubbles through the property, adding yet another charming touch to the landscape. Turn your afternoon winery visit into a quiet countryside getaway with an overnight stay at one of the farm’s four unique rustic cabins.

Best Wines for Spring: Spring favorites at Iron Heart Winery are the Vidal Blanc, Rosé, Dry Riesling, and Chardonnay.

CHATHAM VINEYARDS—MACHIPONGO

Photo Credit: Sam Dean, @sdeanphotos

Springtime on Virginia’s Eastern Shore is always stunning. You’ll experience it in an even more incredible light when you stop by Chatham Vineyards at the Historic Chatham Farm. For four centuries, this lush estate has functioned as a working farm, but in the past few decades, the property became the first winery on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Overlooking Church Creek, the winery often hosts events during the spring and summer months with local oyster farmers to create the perfect pairing of wine and oysters. For an unforgettable winery experience, sign up for the Paddle Your Glass Off Tour with SouthEast Expeditions, where you’ll kayak through the bay waters, land on the shores of Chatham Vineyards, get a tour of the property, and stop by the tasting room to savor a glass of wine before getting back on the water.

Best Wines for Spring: Try Chatham Vineyards Church Creek Rosé, Church Creek Chardonnay (fermented in steel), and the Oak Chardonnay, especially if you get the chance to sample some oysters with the wine!

ABINGDON VINEYARD & WINERY—ABINGDON

Photo Credit: Sarah Laughland

On a 53-acre farm along the South Holston River, Abingdon Vineyard & Winery is surrounded by forests that teem with wildlife during the spring months. This rustically inviting winery has a large wood tasting room and an outdoor patio where you can relax as you sip on a glass of wine. While the vineyard is in the country, there are plenty of exciting outdoor experiences close by, including the Virginia Creeper Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and the small but charming town of Damascus.

Best Wines for Spring: Don’t miss the Steel Strings Chardonel, White Oak Chardonnay, Riverside Rosé, and the Riesling.

More Virginia Wineries to Visit this Spring:

• Fox Meadow Winery—Linden
• Vincent’s Vineyard—Lebanon
• Saude Creek Vineyards—Lanexa
• Valhalla Vineyards—Roanoke
• Shenandoah Vineyards—Edinburg
• The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards—Hamilton
• King Family Vineyards—Crozet
• Doukenie Winery—Purcellville
• Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards—North Garden
• Stone Mountain Vineyards—Dyke
• Bluemont Vineyard—Bluemont
• Barboursville Vineyards—Barboursville
• DelFosse Vineyards & Winery—Faber
• Zephaniah Farm Vineyard—Leesburg
• Trump Winery—Charlottesville
• The Dog and Oyster—Irvington
• Hillsborough Vineyards—Purcellville
• Mountainrose Vineyards—Wise
• Barrel Oak Winery—Delaplane
• New Kent Winery—New Kent
• Linden Vineyards—Linden
• Upper Shirley Vineyards—Charles City
• RDV Vineyards—Delaplane
• Blenheim Vineyards—Charlottesville