How to Visit Virginia Wineries

Many people do not realize that the state of Virginia is home to many wineries. In fact, wine has been made in Virginia since the seventeenth century, long before the wineries of California even existed. Today, Virginia is the fifth top wine-producing state in the nation and attracts more than 500,000 visitors annually. Whether you prefer a heavy Cabernet or a crisp Chardonnay, you can be sure to find a fine wine to suit your palate in Virginia.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• List of local restaurants
• Computer with Internet access
• Bottled water to drink while driving from one winery to the next
• Notepad to take notes about wines you enjoyed
• Maps of the region

1. Go to the Virginia Wineries Association Web site (see Resources below) where you can obtain information about all the wineries in the various regions. You can also contact the association at [phone].

2. Decide which region you would like to tour. The Virginia Wineries Association has divided the state into five regions: Northern, Central, Eastern, Shenandoah and Southwest. The Northern and Central regions have the greatest number of wineries.

3. Select approximately 4 to 6 wineries to visit each day. You may also wish to follow one of the trails, such as the Blue Ridge Wine Trail or the Monticello Wine Trail. Links to these trails are all available at the Virginia Wineries Association Web site. Once you have identified the wineries you want to visit, call them to verify their hours of operation.

4. Map your route and then, if you plan on spending the night, locate lodging near the last winery you plan to visit.

5. Start your tour with a healthy, light meal at one of Virginia's many restaurants.

6. Notice the grape cluster signs, designed to assist you in locating wineries, on the road while you are driving. These signs are frequently located within a 10-mile radius of wineries.

7. Relax at each of the wineries and enjoy conversations with the staff. Many Virginia wineries are small and family owned, so you may strike up an interesting conversation with the owner of the establishment.

Tips & Warnings

• Start your wine tasting with white wines and gradually move to heavier red wines. Finish your tasting experience with dessert wines.
• Cleanse your palate to optimize your tasting experience.
• Always choose a designated driver. Even though you think you may not have had a lot to drink, many small tastes can add up.
• Contact a wine touring service if you don't want to be responsible for driving. Businesses such as Virginia Wine Country Tours (see Resources below) will personalize your wine tour and then chauffeur you from one winery to the next.
• Don't hesitate to pour unwanted wine into a bowl. While Virginia wine is good, you may not like everything you taste.
• Never leave wine you have purchased in a hot car. Instead, find a cool place to store your wine purchases.
• Don't miss the scenery as you tour from one winery to the next.