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Step 1
Master wine-tasting basics. Learn how to examine the wine’s color for clarity and richness. Perfect the swirl that releases a wine’s aroma. Use your sense of smell to pick up the wine’s fruity richness and various underlying tones. Let the wine linger on the palate to determine its body. Finally, let the wine slide down the throat to enjoy all of its beauty in one memorable swallow.
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Step 2
Decide where to go wine tasting. (See Steps 4 through 6.) Choose a single winery or several that are clustered together. Much of this decision may depend on how much time you have for the tasting and other activities you have planned.
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Step 3
Develop a plan. Decide how much time to dedicate to each winery. Call ahead for wineries that require advanced notice of groups or parties of four or more people. Make other necessary plans, such as lodging, restaurants, tourist sites and more.
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Step 4
Visit some of Virginia’s finest wineries. Try Afton Mountain Vineyards. One of the first wineries in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Afton Mountain is well known for another reason: its refusal to use herbicides or pesticides. In fact, the vineyard only uses insecticides when no other natural alternative is available. Located on a slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this is one of the state’s most beautiful vineyards. It is also a business that has learned how to blend both the modern and the traditional to produce award-winning wines.The vineyard specializes in wines like pinot noir, chardonnay, tête de cuvée and gewurztraminer. Wine tasting is available year round. However, winter hours are abbreviated, so call ahead for times and dates of operation.
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Step 5
Tour and wine taste at Williamsburg Winery, located in historic Williamsburg. Not only is this the state’s premier winery and the largest of its kind, it also produces more wine than any of its competitors. Tours and tastings are available all year long. However, reserve wine tastings are only available on request in advance of the actual event. Dozens of wine options are available in special winemaker blends, reserve wines, specialty wines, dessert wines and other offerings.The winery has expanded over the years in more ways that one. Williamsburg Winery offers space for group events, parties and weddings. It boasts the Gabriel Archer Tavern and its own country hotel, Wedmore Place.
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Step 6
Travel to Amissville to the Gray Ghost Vineyards. Family-owned and -operated, this winery has earned a place on the map not only in the United States, but the world. The Gray Ghost has been named “Best of the East” for four consecutive years, according to one prestigious wine magazine. The vineyard's wines include 20 award-winning varieties, including chardonnay, riesling, gewurztraminer, merlot, cabernet and more. Gray Ghost sponsors special dinners that are built around the vineyard’s wines. It also holds myriad events throughout the year. Facility tours are available if requested in advanced or if the visit is scheduled during the tourist season.
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Step 7
Sidestep a trip to D.C. to visit Pearmund Cellars in Broad Run, Virginia. Daily wine tastings are held on-site and wine dinners are scheduled regularly. Better still, those who go at the right time can even participate in grape crushing. The winery also plans special events, such as dinner and a movie, trick or treat, or its annual “beast feast.” Wines include sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, riesling and merlot. Tours are available nearly every day.
