Your Virginia Wine Country Travel Guide

  • Guides
  • by WINECOUNTRY COLLECTIVE
  • on FEBRUARY 29, 2016
  • 1869
  • 0
Virginia is for lovers—lovers of wine, gourmet food, novel attractions, and is one of the most affordable wine regions to tour. The Monticello AVA has been producing high-quality wines for centuries, but doesn’t have the fame—or the crowds—of more famous winegrowing areas throughout the country. Find out for yourself why several of the Founding Fathers chose to reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Where to Stay

fountain hall bed and breakfast
Image Source: Fountain Hall Bed & Breakfast, TripAdvisor

Fountain Hall Bed & Breakfast
609 S East St
Culpeper, VA 22701
(540) 825-8300
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 49 reviews

With an exterior straight out of the 18th Century, Fountain Hall Bed & Breakfast succeeds at making guests feel like early American authors. Beds are stately and large, but the bathrooms are sleekly modern, containing 21st century comforts, and the grounds are straight out of Colonial times with manicured lawns and eye-popping gardens.

Insider tip: Ask for some banana bread during breakfast: the scrumptious treat is made from a century-old recipe and still receives rave reviews.

red fox inn and tavern bedroom suite
Image Source: TripAdvisor

The Red Fox Inn and Tavern
2 E Washington St
Middleburg, VA 20118
(540) 687-6301
TripAdvisor: 4 stars, 327 reviews

Step off the beaten path and right into an authentic Colonial room at The Red Fox Inn and Tavern, famous for its food, but also for its charming accommodations. The complex was built in 1728, but the rooms are decidedly contemporary, quiet, and relaxed, featuring an abundance of windows, making each one very bright and inviting.

Insider tip: Traveling with a group? Book one of the many spacious suites and revel in the old-style comfort together.

south street inn, room
Image Source: 200 South Street Inn

200 South Street Inn
200 West South St
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 260-5660
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 573 reviews

With warm fireplaces in most rooms, wine and cheese served at night, and country-style breakfasts cooked up in the morning, 200 South Street Inn adds a dash of Old Virginia charm to any trip through the Charlottesville area. With large windows and colorful décor, each room provides style and value, and the stately buildings on the grounds are striking in the snow, summer sun, or changing leaves.

Insider tip: If you are a light sleeper, let the staff know when booking: a few rooms face train tracks and might cause some disturbances.

Where to Eat

bar scene and plate of food
Image Source: C&O Restaurant

C&O Restaurant
515 Water St E
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 971-7044
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 240 reviews
Reservations: Recommended

Fine French cuisine blended with Southern comfort food may seem an odd pairing, but you’ll be convinced of their compatibility after tasting C&O Restaurant’s duck breast or mascarpone cheesecake. The weathered brick exterior belies the flavors bursting from the kitchen, but it also keeps the less-informed tourists from overwhelming this Charlottesville favorite. The rooms provide different ambiances, and include, white linen luxury, bistro casualness, or the relaxation of a sunny summertime terrace.

Insider tip: A simplified late-night menu is served until 1:30 a.m. and features small plates like pulled pork tacos, macaroni and cheese, and crème brulee.

lauberge provencale restaurant
Image Source: Yelp

L’Auberge Provencale
13630 Lord Fairfax Hwy
Boyce, VA 22620
(540) 837-1375
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 347 reviews
Reservations: Recommended

Situated up a lonely highway in the middle of the Virginia countryside, the decadent French meals served at L’Auberge Provencale will surprise with the rustic French flavors of the rural Provencale region, while still remaining undeniably refined. The chefs wow guests every night with elegant yet cozy food like duck galantine, lamb sweetbreads, and ratatouille.

Insider tip: If you feel like splurging, L’Auberge Provencale has several types of caviar available: the special ingredient that imbues romance into any evening.

What to Do

snow and ice-skating
Image Source: Adventure Farm

Adventure Farm
1135 Clan Chisholm Lane
Earlysvile, VA 22936
(434) 466-3989

Part winery, part cattle ranch, and part rustic meeting spot, Adventure Farm has been in operation for six decades, and it still might be one of the only places that grows both award-winning grapes and gourmet, grass-fed cuts of beef. Those with a fondness for animals can get up-close with goats and pigs, while those less-inclined can enjoy the well-lit and classy tasting room.

Insider tip: Pick up some grass-feed beef from their carefully selected Angus-Salare steers, grown right on the farm.

pond
Image Source: Yelp

Monticello
931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy
Charlottesville, VA 22902
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 3,493 reviews

Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s sprawling plantation estate, may seem like just another Colonial-era tourist trap for armchair historians, but the gorgeous still-in-operation gardens and picturesque buildings make this a must-stop location for any lover of antiques, design, or amazing vistas. Even if you don’t tour the house, there is almost always something in bloom in the gardens.

Insider tip: Schedule a history tour of University of Virginia, the public college Jefferson founded, to get a full lesson on the life of the third U.S. President.

lynchburg civil war battlefield
Image Source: Yelp

Lynchburg Civil War Battlefield

Though Lynchburg, Virginia is very quiet today, it was once the scene of a crucial battle during the Civil War. Several sites are open to visitors, including a few former hospitals, forts, and cemeteries, and driving tours are available for sights of the public buildings in the town; check in at the Lynchburg Visitors Center for more information.

Insider tip: Pack sunscreen and a hat if you’re exploring on foot during the summer—there’s little shade.

Central Virginia is home to quite a few blink-and-you’ll-miss-them towns and attractions, but the region provides a wealth of gourmet food and wine, natural beauty, and centuries of history. This area is removed from the busy centers of the east coast, but curious visitors will be rewarded by an intoxicating mix of class and coziness,


Author

WineCountry Collective

WineCountry is made up of a dedicated and passionate team of wine, food, and travel aficionados. We diligently explore regions, both near and far, to curate the best ideas and resources. Whether you're musing over your next wine escapade, planning a romantic weekend away, embracing the Wine Country lifestyle at home, or are simply looking to be entertained for a moment, trust us to be your comprehensive guide.