My favorite Charlottesville wineries & vineyards
Charlottesville, Virginia may be my favorite place on earth. I’m convinced its always a little sunnier there, and anyone who has ever been raves about it. With the Blue Ridge Mountains, charming restaurants, and a nearby college town, Cville (as the locals call it) has plenty to do. And then, there are the endless wineries. I could never declare a favorite, but here are the vineyards that are near and dear to my heart:
Pippin Hill is a destination. You could spend all day here with the flights, wine selection and gourmet food.
If you don’t make a reservation for the veranda, bring a blanket or chairs and sit out on the lawn to enjoy the stunning view.
I’ve been going to King Family Vineyards for years. There’s always enough room for a group whether its for a patio overlooking the mountains, or on the grass.
As an added bonus, King Family Vineyards has polo on Sundays in the summer.
If you want a lesser known winery with outstanding wines, look no further than Cardinal Point. It’s family owned vineyard, and they take their wine very seriously, with dozens of medals and awards on bottles you can see for yourself.
Veritas is across the road from Cardinal Point. It’s a popular wedding venue, and a very popular wine tasting location.
In the summer there’s a giant lawn (pictured here), but the wrap around porch and stone fireplace are cozy year round.
Blenheim Vineyards is owned by Dave Matthews (a Cville local). For now, there is only outdoor seating, but the A-frame interior is a whole vibe.
Down the street from Blenheim is Gabriele Rausse. Gabriele has been called the “godfather of Virginia wine” and has been mentoring other wine owners for years.
The winery is rustic-chic in a woodsy haven. There are firepits and snacks in this family owned spot.
Early Mountain is between Northern Virginia and Charlottesville. The interior is huge but the patio has fire pits and views.
Early Mountain has a fancy menu, and tasty wines. Turns out most of my Virginia friends already knew about this place, and I’m sad I didn’t go sooner.
Barboursville Vineyards is an old winery in Virginia dating back to Thomas Jefferson’s influence in 1814. Legend has it that Governor James Barbour built the vineyard while he was in office, where it still stands today 8 generations later.