Just opened chambourcin from years ago when they first opened. The best dessert type wine I've…read moretasted. Just the right balance of sweet. So happy to see still doing well. delicious! Kudos

It was a sultry, humid, rainy Saturday and the natives were getting restless. Suffering from cabin…read morefever, my hubby and a couple of friends and I decided to find an outdoor activity to remedy our listlessness. Being pluviophiles, we didn't mind the light, summer rain. But what to do? Enter wineries!! We headed west toward Charlottesville, and first stopped in Palmyra where the winery there was only open for curbside pick up. My friends loaded the pickup with cases of wine but we were still in search of a charcuterie board and an open vineyard! Yelp to the rescue! We called the winery Yelp advised us was only about 10 miles away in Scottsville. It was open! Yes, they had charcuterie!! What a stupendous find! We approached the thistle blue painted sign and charming gate welcoming us to Thistle Gate Vineyard! Through the misty rain, the white barn-like cottage with the serene blue roof looked something from a Nicholas Sparks movie. Utterly quaint and beautiful! The wide porch was open for outdoor seating, wrought iron tables and chairs sprawled along the long planked flooring. Restrooms were located around the side so one didn't have to enter the winery. We were greeted by the owner who handed us a wine menu and their "flight sheet". The four of us chose our wine flights and each got a charcuterie box! Ahhh, this is the life! While we awaited our libations and sustenance, we spied an inviting gazebo near the vineyards. Our host said we were welcome to it! The grounds were lovely, albeit a bit soggy, a barrel fountain babbled along with the now drizzling rain, a bottle tree rooster glistened in the garden, cute slate signs were placed hither and thither around the shrubbery, it was all so idyllic. Our flights were served in pieces of wood made from wine barrels. Plastic cups were used due to Covid, but that didn't diminish the flavors of the fruit of the vine. I chose three reds and a blush. The Cabernet France was full-bodied with a dry finish. The Meritage (a portmanteau of Merit & Heritage) was delicate blend of varietals with fruity notes, the Thistle Red was a well-balanced blend of Merlot & Petit Verdot with a mild berry flavor and a rich burgundy color, and my favorite was the Thistle Blush, a crisp rosé made with Chambourcin grapes, easily my top rated grape! The blush was perfect for this overcast summer day, sipping the day way! I also tasted the St. George's Red Reserve which was also made with Chambourcin grapes and whispered cherry notes. Also my friend shared with me her Chardonnay which was a tad dry to my taste, but if you like white wine, I'm sure you'll like this one! What we took home??? The Thistle Red, couple bottles of Meritage, St. George and of course, several bottles of Thistle Blush! We enjoyed all these fine wines while in the gazebo surrounded by rows and rows of vineyards. What made the afternoon even better was the gorgeously presented charcuterie box! Two types of crackers served with salami, Brie, Swiss, and Gouda along with huge green grapes, dried apricots and salted almond Ghirardelli dark chocolates. I'm not exaggerating when I say this was the perfect complement to our wine tasting! A heavenly day spent in this dreamy winery, the only one in Fluvanna county, certainly cured our doldrums!! We are certainly returning to this hidden gem!! One sign posted says "We're so glad you're here", so are we Thistle Gate Vineyard, so are we!

Found this brewery/winery today and decided to stop in. You have to drive down an unpaved road to…read moreget to the building, which looks like an old farm with outdoor and indoor seating. As I wasn't familiar with this place, I asked if their beers or wines were more popular and was told that most people drink the beer. I was able to try a couple of samples before deciding on a 4-5oz beer sampler. The beers were all very different and tasty. My favorite was What the Fox. There was ample seating both inside and outside. Overall, it's a nice place to enjoy some beverages with friendly people.

I had my 40th wedding anniversary there and it was amazing! The people are so friendly and easy to…read morework with. They serve both beer and wine. They also had a playground for my grandchildren to play on. Everyone had a great time!! I would highly recommend this place to everyone!!

We really enjoyed our wine, blueberry cider, and food at Eastwood! Plus, the staff are friendly…read moreand want to ensure you have a great experience. We enjoyed the Gold Medal Tasting. This assortment had two whites and two reds--all of which earned gold medals at competitions. For lunch, we shared the grilled cheese with apple slices and the Eastwood salad, which included apples, blue cheese, nuts, and mixed greens. All were delightful. The tasting room has a warm vibe of a country gathering place with tables, a bar, and a stage. They also have outside seating. Their fermentation room has a glass wall that looks into the tasting room so you can see the tanks. Eastwood is located not far from Monticello and other wineries in the area. I recommend it as a definite stop on any wine outing.

A friend and I stopped here on a recent trip to Charlottesville. I was surprised by the number of…read morefamilies with children, as this is not something I'm accustomed to from living in Washington state for many years. We walked inside and found a great space that included a bar, ample seating, and a stage, where a singer was getting ready to perform. I decided on the White Reserve Tasting, and was able to swap out the oaky chardonnay for the Woodland White blend. My friend and I got a table outside as the weather was nice. We enjoyed our wine and people (and dog) watching. My favorites were the 2024 Viognier and the Woodland White. The 2024 Petit Manseng was good, but a bit tart, and the Artist White blend was too dry for my liking. This is a great winery that you should visit when in the area, that's both kid and dog friendly.

Recently visited here for a girls weekend. We had about 13…read morein our party. The grounds were beautiful. I can only imagine what they look like in the spring and summer. The wine tasting was nice. With large parties you are given a flight to try. No need to stand in the tasting room. I liked several of the flavors. After the tasting we took a walk around the grounds taking in all the animals. Because it was winter, we didn't spend a lot of time in the lavender fields. We did however visit the lavender shop. I purchased a lavender honey spot and some delightful lemon crunch lavender ice cream. Overall staff were friendly. I would recommend this business for anyone in the area or visiting massanutten.

Stopped past while on a recent birthday trip to Massanutten. And this place is really beautiful…read more White Oak is a family-owned lavender farm that is located in Shenandoah Valley. You really get to enjoy an immersive, interactive experience on the farm. There is something for everyone, from interactive gardens and live animals. The best for a cute little DIY wine tasting. You can bring your own charcuterie platters, which is what we did to go along with our tastings. They have tasting room called the Purple Wolf Vineyard where you can purchase your portable tastings, wine, beer and slushy flights . I would definitely return again, great place to host a cute birthday event, with your friends. They also have a really nice gift shop as well.

Wow, this place is incredible. Small winery with incredible atmosphere. It's fun and small and…read morecasual. The wine maker is great. He explained the wine making and flavors completely. The wine is on the sweet side however, there's one that everyone will love. This a must try for everyone.

We had the best fruit wine we've ever had here. The owner, who makes all the wine, was behind the…read morebar and we had a great time talking with him.

Pleasant place to sip some wine. We visited Hardware Hills Vineyard on a Friday night and it was…read morepacked. A local band played covers of classic rock songs. The patio is expansive and mostly covered with a view of the vineyard and surrounding trees. I tried a flight of their Cabernet franc, petit Verdot, river bend red, and masquerade red. I liked the Cabernet franc and masquerade red and didn't care for the petit Verdot and the river bend red. Overall, I had a good experience at Hardware Hills Vineyard and would recommend them for a winery experience in the area.

Went to the vineyard on the Friday before Easter and it was a surprise to find a nice crowd and…read morelive music! We met the owners, Rob and Andrea, really friendly couple and the servers, Lisa and ?, were very attentive and knowledgeable about the wines. We did not have any food, we brought snacks.

I loved this vineyard! My group brought my sister's puppy and they are so dog-friendly and…read moreaccommodating - the staff is awesome! The interior and exterior of the vineyard is absolutely adorable too!! Funky, classy, & unique interior, and beautiful views with lots of outdoor/patio seating. The wines were good, and the charcuterie board was absolutely delicious! I would return here again.

Friends recommended Merrie Mill, and we're so happy we listed to them! We have visited Merrie Mill…read moretwice in the last five months for wine and lunch. The atmosphere is fun and creative -- both inside and outside. You know you are in for a treat when you walk through the front door with its eclectic decor. They have seating both inside in what feels like someone's really cool living room as well as outside on their patio or on their lawn. You can order wine by the flight to sample their offerings, as well as by the glass and bottle. I recommend doing a flight to determine what you like, then order some bottles to share or take home. Their lunch menu includes salad, soup, and sandwiches -- all with a creative touch -- as well as a children's menu. They also have delicious cake by Cake Bloom and Nightingale ice cream sandwiches. Merrie Mill certainly isn't boring! The staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Definitely include Merrie Mill on your next winery tour.

Jefferson Vineyards has a two small-medium size tasting rooms. We stopped purposely to purchase…read moretheir Viognier. It tastes good and makes a great gift since the bottle has Jefferson's signature on it. The people are really friendly. There are tables to enjoy your wine outside on a beautiful day!

A friend and I visited this vineyard last weekend. She opted for the white tasting and as I don't…read morelike oaky whites or tanniny reds, the gentleman who was working there put together a mix of two whites and two reds for me to try. As it was a nice day, we bought some cheese and crackers and sat outside to enjoy our wine. My two favorites were the chardonnay '23, which was aged in steel and the cab franc '23. It's a pretty location, especially on a nice day. There's plenty of outdoor seating. They have a wide selection of wine to try. I'd recommend stopping in.

I decided to turn my Sunday into a mid-day siesta escape, heading to the mountains with my aunt and…read moregodmother to finally experience Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Snow may have covered the ground, but between the stunning aesthetic, incredible wine, and delicious food, I am officially SOLD. This spot has earned a place in my top 5 wineries! From the moment we arrived, the hostess and waitstaff were attentive, welcoming, and full of recommendations. I went with a wine flight (because variety is a must!), and every pour was a hit. As for the food? We indulged in pasta, sliders, short-rib grilled cheese, truffle fries, and a charcuterie board everything was absolutely mouthwatering. We ate, we sipped, and we were very merry! I'm already counting down to a summer return so I can soak in those breathtaking mountain views from the patio.

Pippin is poppin! One of the most gorgeous wineries in Virginia. The grounds were beautiful and…read moreeven though the hydrangeas were fading, it still looked pretty! The inside was spacious and comfortable. Loved the shiplap, the wood floors, the purse hooks on the bar, the patio with the stone and tile floor, the exposed beams, and the welcoming front entryway! We not only did the tasting, where one wine was better than the next; But the food was incredible as was the impeccable service! We did the red flight of wines, and I also had some rosé. We particularly favored the cannon red and the Cabernet franc. Our food was excellent; a the dishes they were served upon were lovely! My hubby got the roasted Brussels sprouts, my daughter chose the tomato basil soup, and we all shared a well designed charcuterie board! We left nary a morsel behind! The manager was so kind and generous, asking us to return and sharing the best times to come! He gave us some background information on the area and gave us a mini tour! This vineyard and farm is well worth visiting, making it a memorable destination!!

Five of us attended a June Jubilee at this location today. Parking was easy in a field... then you…read morehad tractors pulling large wooden seated carts to the gate. Tickets were $40 at the gate. This place is amazing! It is a large area with various vendors, food trucks and vendors... along with blacksmithing and glass blowing. There were several wine tents with tastings, beer trucks and live music is two locations. This event was well organized, had a map, and was very well done! My understanding is that there is a fall festival and is on a different part of the property. There was also a steam powered saw mill! It was a very interesting afternoon and definitely a good time!

This is a beautiful winery! Unique and fun with a lot of history. All the wines were top notch.read more