It's basically very simple.....No children welcome, No outside food welcome, No Limos welcome so NO BUSINESS!! Not worth it, to many other wineries that are friendly and don't treat you like children. No limos encourages dunk driving. read more

First I must say as a Loudoun County resident I have visited many wineries in Loudoun County and have yet to venture out and try other wineries, well Sunday my wife and I ventured out to Deleplane Vineyards late in the afternoon. It was a trip I was glad to have made. The wines were all good to very good including the reds and the most notable Rose. Yes Rose, a wine I have never spent money on buying a bottle until now, was very French in style and not to sweet, actually was a little dry. The wine pourer was very knowledgeable and courteous as well. Able to talk about the wines, and the local vineyards in the area. A wealth of information. We decided to stay and order the cheese and local meats platter, most excellent the tasting room is great, spacious and big windows for viewing the pastoral mountain landscapes. People who complain about not having Yelp check in discounts should know by now that Yelp is now profiling businesses encouraging them to do this promotional crap in exchange for preferential treatment, that is what happens when these sites like facebook and Yelp get bought out. The same can be said about Washingtonian Magazine. I would not mark down my personal experiences at a place based on a Yelp Check In discount. Please! I work in a place that offers this deal and they get all positive reviews posted on the first page regardless of the date. So again, Deleplane Cellars has earned a return visit and I can only hope that the other wineries in the area are as good as Deleplane which has got my high marks for a winery that has not been opened as long as some of the others in the area. read more

I was extremely impressed with the wines. I bought 6 bottles :) I really liked that everything was done in oak and that they had two different viogniers. The reds we tried were very nice but you could tell they will get more amazing with time. The scenery was beautiful. The tasting room has a great view. Our barista was friendly and knowledgable about the wine without being pretentious. I have visited upwards of 30 VA wineries and I can tell you this one is worth the trip! Oh and you have to get the bread - yum! read more

The first stop on our multi-winery hopping. We enjoyed it since the tasting room is bright, airy (high ceilings) and fresh looking (modern). The outdoor patio is nice to get some sun rays, and overlooks their grapes. I would say that Delaplane does not have as much charm as other vineyards in the area (we went to Arterra Wines and the ambiance there is much more peaceful). What I mean is that if you're in the sipping room or the small patio, you are overlooking some of the vineyard but then the driveway and road is right there. The hills are beyond that. It's fine but other wineries were more scenic. Wines were good. We enjoyed only a few (some of the reds had lots of tannins) Some funny thing: They have a ladybug infestation issue. Could've been the weirdly warm day (suddenly in Fall) that draws the crowd, but so many ladybugs they were crawling on us and into our wines. The staff were fine. The one pouring our wine was decent; she told us what we were drinking and then walked away. Not much interaction. Enjoy. read more

Another great Virginia winery! The tasting room is quite tastefully furnished with beautiful views of mountain and valley vistas. Attention to detail is very apparent at Delaplane Cellars which creates a harmonious wine tasting experience. From the eco-friendly cutlery to the unscented soap in the bathrooms, Delaplane Cellars' commitment to the environment and respect for the land that helps to create their wine is obvious. The tasting experience was great. All of the employees were very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their jobs and the wine. The wine itself was made with care and it was not surprising to learn the famous Jim Law of Linden Vineyards has assisted and advised the Delaplane folks (their vineyard manager apprenticed with Jim at Linden). The two wineries share some philosophic principles (which I am glad to see in a world of Northern Virginia wineries that seem to be more interested in partying than making good wine) which result in a superior experience for visitors - from the customer experience in the Tasting Room to the actual wine itself. The Delaplane Cellars Wine Club has some great benefits - wine discounts, special events, free tastings, special releases, and - best of all - a lovely Members Lounge on the second floor of the Tasting Room. On a busy weekend day, this perk is definitely worthwhile. Although Delaplane does not accept limos, buses, or groups larger than 6, it can get busy and being able to retreat to the second floor is a real treat! read more

Summary: excellent winery, wines, tasting room, atmosphere, service! I will be back! Details: Delaplane reminds me of the estimable Black Ankle Vineyards in Mt. Airy, MD. Prompted to visit on a warm mid-January 2013 weekend, we felt well cared for in the tasting room. We enjoyed the unhurried pace, generous pours, and quality of the wines. In comparison to nearby boisterous Oak Barrel Yineyards, the atmosphere at Delaplane Cellars is more refined, subdued, polished, and serious. read more

Great wines, people and lovely place. What make everything better is the live music. Seriously, so lovely and we have a great time here. read more

Delaplane Cellars - Beep!! Love it here! :) - Wineries Near Me - Delaplane, Virginia

Nice facility , pretty view. However, service was sub-par. Arrived in the tasting room and moved up to the bar and waited for additional space for our third person to join (10 minuets go by) never greeted or recognized by any employee. We decided to leave after then reviewing their wine list and prices. Only about 6 of their wines you could get a glass ($12) and the tasting was $14 which is well above average for the area and neighboring wineries. Winery is good for couples. No pets allowed and no groups of 6 or more are permitted. read more

I came here with three friends. Immediately upon pulling up we were confronted with a signed declaring: No parties over Six, No Limos, and No Buses. Struck me as pretentious and snooty. Also what a poor business choice to not allow more customers to visit your establishment. There is plenty of room within the tasting area. We had a delightful person serving us, but her supervisor was a complete troll. She micromanaged everything out pourer did. She wouldn't even allow my friend's wife to show her age with a government issued military dependent's ID card. Let me say that again, it is issued by the US government and she wouldn't accept it. Luckily she had her state license handy. We only were able to taste Four wines an had to pay $7 a person. Madness. I should mention, that they only poured maybe, just maybe one ounce pours. Barely even a sip. Only one of the wines was actually good. The others were tasteless. Their Syrah was the only one that I'd actually buy, even at the exorbitant costs they were charging. One note on that, they made their Syrah sound like it was an estate wine, but it was blended from two different Virginia Syrahs and blended with a Virginia-grown Tannat. The only thing they really had going for them was the view. Absolutely beautiful scenery. I should note, that we watched them turn away a family who had brought along their two children. They actually turned them away. Pitiful. A much better alternative is 3 Fox about 2.5 miles south of them. Kid friendly, rolling hills with a creek in the forefront of their property, and they also pour 10 wines for just $7. Better quality and more = good deal. Cobbler Mountain Cellars just 15 minutes to the southeast is another good choice. Kid and Dog friendly. They also make cider and a maple syrup dessert wine. read more

Feels like a brand new place, bright new paint on the walls, open floor plan with lots of windows and gorgeous views. The staff was chatty and the wine was nice. We didn't feel rushed at all, which sometimes happens at wine tastings. The first whites (both viogniers) on the tasting menu were a little sweet for my taste, but the next white and two reds were fantastic. Dog friendly with plenty of seating on an outside patio as well as picnic tables in the yard. We were there on a Saturday afternoon and it wasn't too crowded to get a place at the bar. We ordered bread and brie to snack on while we had a glass of wine overlooking the vineyards; it was very good. Not too far from DC, so great for an afternoon trip. read more

Delaplane Cellars - Wineries Near Me - Delaplane, Virginia

I had a wonderful experience at Delaplane this past weekend. I had a reservation for two on Saturday afternoon, we were quickly seated when we arrived. There were some empty tables and the staff were very accommodating when we asked if we could move to a different spot than where we were originally seated. I am hesitant to eat out during COVID, but would return to Delaplane in a heartbeat. We were safely distanced from others and staff took COVID precautions seriously and offered us blankets since it was a little chilly out. The wine was good, the views were beautiful, and the live music was a treat. read more

If you come here for the special dinner event, definitely eat a snack or be prepared to grab more food afterwards because the plated dinner portions are small. My wife and I ended up getting McDonald's after the event. The wine is great if you're into white wine and you can pretty much drink all you can with frequent top offs. There's an MC who talks about the wine and almost makes it feel like a wedding event - it's not super entertaining and we'd honestly prefer music in the background but that's our opinion so hopefully you'll have a more positive experience. read more

We arrived here Sunday afternoon and there were multiple open tables and plenty of bar space. We had 8 in our group and took multiple cars. When we walked in separately they were happy to help until they realized the 8 of us were all together. We weren't asking for anything special. We were more than happy to stand at the bar. We weren't being loud. They said their reason for not being able to help us was that our party was too large. But when we arrived separately it was fine. So you can accommodate 8 people showing up at once but only if they don't know each other?!! How does that make any sense at all. Obviously we left and went to another winery down the street and had a blast. read more

Older crowd. Low key. Not allowed to have more than 6 friends. Not allows to make loud noises. They don't like kids or dogs. Gal who serves food is very rude. Pretty view, however not comparable to other local vineyard. read more

Delaplane Cellars - Wineries Near Me - Delaplane, Virginia

This was my first visit to Delaplane Cellars, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I arrived early and was escorted to a lovely table on the patio by Matt, who provided excellent service. The wine was top notch, and I left with a bottle of 2017 Tannat, a recent gold medal winner in the Virginia Governor's Cup read more

My first winery and I've become hooked. My boyfriend and I decided to become club members after our first visit. We've found our new hobby!! The wine tasty is $12 per tasting and free if your active military. However, if you become club members is 4 free tastings a year. I'm not a huge fan of white wines but their whites were delicious. We left the place with four bottles. My favorite was of course the 2013 left bank. And not to mention the place is so cute, not overly crowded and also had a beautiful scenery. I liked how they don't allow anyone under 21 to enter the place. It's a great place to have a date or just catch up with friends. Highly recommend. read more

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Wine is more complex than a lot of the other local wineries. A little more expensive than some, most bottles are around $26 and they let you sample their $50+ wine included in $7 tasting fee. Beautiful tasting room and views. Get here earlier, you will want to sit and enjoy a glass if it is not too crowded. Wine club membership available. read more

Came here as part of a day tour of wineries. First the positives-live music was fabulous and created a nice vibe. Views from the tasting room are GORGEOUS. Sadly the Bar tenders were unfriendly and unhelpful, and the wine was very average. Glad I went, but won't be back. read more

I LOVE THIS PLACE! Loved our tasting so much that my husband and I as well as our other fiends joined their wine club! Carol was such an amazing host. She definitely knew her stuff. She provided us with so much history on the winery and educated us on the wines that I was in awe. The wines were delish. I was obsessed with their Rose which we ended up getting two bottles especially since there was a special to get a bottle for $10! Awesome! I loved the entire experience, the grounds and the staff. The live performer was an added bonus! My husband and I as well as our friends have decided to make it our couples retreat every three months to get our wine club membership perks and just enjoy being away from our busy lives and the hustle and bustle of the DC and MD! I can't wait for our next trip! read more

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After having visited Delaplane Cellars a few times I must say that I am impressed. 1: VIEW: The view from the tasting room is the best in the area (gentle rolling mountains in the distance... only better than Barrel Oak because you don't see the highway here). 2: GROUNDS: Not as plentiful or as impressive as several others in the area (really it's just the parking lot and a small deck). It looks like the row of glass doors is suited to build a huge deck outside... if that happens the grounds score will go way up in my book. 3: Oh yeah, the WINE: They have several solid selections that you'll want to go home with. There estate wine selection is limited but really good. The tasting is well done and the pours are more generous than their competition... plus I think it's slightly cheaper than some others in the area. Can't wait to go back!! read more

8 dollars tastings and sophisticated wine with a classy view ! Drive around the house and park in the back and bring a picnic :-) read more

Delaplane Cellars - The view from the tasting room. - Wineries Near Me - Delaplane, Virginia

Well buying 2 cases is surely a sign you like it, right? Cuz that's what we did. The staff (and owner) are amazing. Very friendly, very welcoming. It didn't feel like a bar where the staff flits from person to person. The wines were all tasty, especially the hot mulled wine! One of my new favorite things. Parking is easy but don't get tricked by the parking below, drive past that up and to the front. There's parking there, and you skip walking up a kinda steep hill. read more

I had the wine at one of my favorite restaurants in DC. I was previously a hater of Virginia wine, but Delaplane Cellars changed my mine. So, one Saturday afternoon, just decided to take a ride to Delaplane Cellars. It was not a disappointment. Everyone was very knowledgeable and helpful with selecting wines. I was able to meet the owners and they really made the trip worth while. Nice folks who love their wine. They even made me like Chardonnay again. And I hate Chardonnay. :) Everything was wonderful and they have a couple of great wines. Delaplane Cellars is a must visit. :) read more

Having been a member of Delaplane Cellars for many years and a guest for at least 8, this is a sad review to make. We LOVE Delaplane for the views and the rich Bordeaux style wine - which is far and away better than anything else in the area while the tasting room is a welcome respite from DC life. However, the new ownership model is just sad and seems focused on increasing prices and lowering quality while offering more of a restaurant style experience. We went with friends this past weekend and we were shocked at the changes (and yes we had gone previously since the change up). First - from a member's perspective - the wines in the Quarterly pick up were a huge turn off - 2/3 of the wines were definitely the low end blends that aren't exactly the reason this winery is so popular. We had to return those wines and switch them out at a huge premium for their better blends. They were giving the rosé away at the door - and despite the recent 'rosé all day' trend - it's not their best foot forward but I can't blame them for moving it. A 'mulled wine' on the tasting menu ($8/glass) really concerned me, since mulled wine is usually flavored junk wine except that it was gone by 2:30 pm - but it seemed to fit with the new business model. The place has devolved into some serious bro-culture with over-priced paninis (in the $15 range) and Nats sports memorabilia on the walls. The cheese platter has gone from $26 to $36 and the bread from $5 to $8 with no changes to quality. One glass of wine can run you $15 and the red blends $40-$60 (this is not new but a fair comment since the new food options are so expensive). Previously, there was always music on the weekends, and I'll start by saying we were not fans but we ignored it. Not an option any more. The music was mic'd so loud we were all shouting to hear each other and cringing at the Top 40 covers. The musician was weirdly interacting with the crowd which was just distracting. It's a winery not a local park concert! The kicker came when the musician lectured people about how 'freedom isn't free' and started up with Lee Greenwood's 'Proud to be an American' at top volume. It was like a circus. Some changes, like a more relaxed family policy and the option to bring dogs were actually welcome changes in my opinion. There are now fire pits (wood and gas) on the patio which are nice. Overall this wasn't a good experience from the wine to the tasting room and really breaks my heart since we've been members for several years. read more

Pros: The wine is good. The building is modern, open, and offers indoor and outdoor seating. The bread and cheese for purchase is fresh. The service was friendly. Gorgeous view. Cons: The bread had to bake, and it took a loooong time. I had almost finished my glass by the time it came out. I tried to drink slowly. Summary: I really enjoyed my visit. Like I said, the wine was pretty good (aka not terrible, not amazing). I'll probably go back. read more

3.5 rounded down. Was very impressed with my first visit but on their big quarterly release day, it was just busy and I didn't really get the sort of intimate wine-tasting experience I enjoy from smaller wineries. I joined the case club because I enjoy their wines well enough, but I prolly won't be renewing next year unless the next few batches come out extraordinary. I like getting a few bottles as 'samplers' and their 2010 Tannat is a real gem. Their 2009 Cinq2 starts off awesome and falls flat. Their 2011 Rose is passable and their 2011 Chardonnay was fine for everyday drinking. There are some wineries where you feel like you belong. There are others where you feel like an outsider. My actual server Jackie was an awesome Brit who had great stories and was really energetic. But overall, my second visit here was sort of lost in the shuffle. To be absolutely fair, it was a very busy day on a nice Saturday. I'll flag this review to be updated the next time I'm out there. Every place has an off day and nothing was inherently bad that I wouldn't go back. Everyone gets one. read more

We were so thrilled to discover Delaplane Cellars this weekend! The view is gorgeous, the tasting room so relaxing - kid free and no limos - truly an answer to our prayers. There are PLENTY of other places for kids and limos - but its truly nice to have an alternative that offers a much more relaxing time. The wines were good enough to make us join - and we will love having an excuse to escape the city every few months. The staff was friendly and informative. All in all it was a definite FIVE! read more

Go for the view, not the wine! Had heard nothing but great things about this place for years. Finally had a kid free afternoon (they don't allow anyone under 21) and visited this weekend. Unfortunately, after tasting 8 wines there were none that would keep us around for another glass or a bottle purchase for the road. I've probably made 140 visits to Virginia wineries over the last 20 years, so my expectations I think are fairly tame and at best I'd say their wines are very average, if not below. On the positive side, the view is beautiful, so almost worth a visit for that, but just keep expectations in check. read more

Went here to celebrate some birthdays and it was packed but we all wanted a tasting. We waited by the bar for a spot big enough for all of us to clear out and our hostess was very nice (I THINK her name was Sharon) and thanked us for our patience and told us a lot about the winery and the wines and even convinced me to sign up for the wine club! I can't wait to enjoy a tasting with the snacks that I saw other members enjoying when I was there. read more

I'm so glad we decided on this place! I read a review about no buses, kids and dogs which made me think it would be the perfect place to relax on a long holiday weekend! Tastings were $6 pp for 4 wines for generous pours. Most of the wines were good, I enjoyed 3 of 4. The trimmette tasted like lemon dish washing liquid. We ordered bread and the oak cheddar and the nice touch I would have never thought of was free olive oil & cracked pepper at a water station! I was full and happy :) The wines were a little pricey but I'd pay the premium for the view. Lots of seating and parking (drive around back the to avoid walking up a steep hill). Staff was great and prompt service during our visit. I want to bring more friends back! read more

Delaplane Cellars - Beautiful view - Wineries Near Me - Delaplane, Virginia

Absolutely one of the finest wineries we've visited!! Wine was delicious and the view spectacular! The owner was gracious and accommodating! Highly recommend and will certainly return. read more

Delaplane wines have received a number of accolades locally, but we found them just average and not worth the price. The tasting room is really nice and the staff were knowledgeable and quite friendly. I just wish we'd enjoyed the wines more. read more

We stopped here on the way back from picking strawberries today. Nice looking building with a fantastic view. Inside, the tasting room is large and kinda sterile but in an eloquent way... and for its size, pretty quiet even though the tasting bar was full. This is due to their policy of no large groups, buses and limos. Kudos to them for that! Kathy was the winery rep who guided us in our tasting. She was very genuine and knowledgeable. She engaged us in the tasting instead of just going through the motions. The wine was excellent. Two wines that left an impression with us were the Chardonnay. A very clean, well balanced wine -- bright fruit with only the slightest and i do mean slightest hint of oak. Second was the Rose. The nose is waaaaaaaaaaaay funky. A very obvious odor of hydrogen sulphide. Get beyond the nose and the wine was quite tasty. I'd consider it a juicy, yet dry Rose. The bathrooms were super clean and we were visiting around 4p. The hand soap is scent free, so not to intrude on the aromas of the wine during tasting. A nice attention to detail! Overall it was a nice quick visit, good views, people and wine. On our next visit, we'll spend some time out on the patio and maybe take a tour. read more

This winery has great views and decor, however the owners are unbelievable rude and disrespectful. We were forced out at ten til 5:00 because "they have things to do, too" (they close at 5:00.) This winery is also not family friendly. They have okay reds and not so good whites. Highly recommend Fox Meadow, Barrel Oak, Le Grange, or Bull Run wineries over Delaplane. I read similar reviews about a week ago, however they have been deleted?? I thought the purpose of Yelp was for customers to share their experiences, whether positive or negative? read more

Extremely rude staff. Will not come back here. They were not accommodating to my group of 7. We were not rowdy. But they said our group was to big, apparently they can only serve groups 6 or less. There was barely anyone in the tasting room or in the back patio. read more

A nice collection of wines. The view is amazing. The hostesses are a delight to talk to. We purchase a bottle of cinq5 and it was wonderful. When you drive in, drive around the building there is some unseen parking. Be sure to be here as the sun sets, you will be glad you did. read more

My wife planned a birthday outing for me and picked Delaplane as they happened to have a guitarist/singer playing that evening, and she wanted to try a different winery in VA. She invited a few of my close friends so it was a very pleasant evening until one of the owners approached my wife and 14mo old daughter and made sure she was aware that the winery had a no children policy after 5pm and that it was published on their website. Mind you we arrived at 4pm with 3 children in our party. If we were made aware of it as we walked in we would have chosen a different place and thought nothing of it. However we weren't approached until 7pm with regards to this so called policy. At that point we left the winery and needless to say our experience wasn't that great. It is unfortunate because we thought the place being new had a nice tasting room and the wine wasn't bad at all although we thought it was a bit pricey. If you have children skip this winery and enjoy Chrysalis, Bluemont, or Tarara as these places are more family friendly. Oh and by the way when we made it home we searched for the policy they were so adamant about being on their site and saw no trace of it. read more

I am actually sad to feel the need to post this review. First, let me start by saying that Delaplane Cellars has decent wine; although their price point is high for their demographic area. The basis of this review and my subsequent two-star rating is based on a number of visits to their winery and to events hosted by them most of which relate to poor customer service and service experiences. While not all of my visits have had challenging or negative staff encounters, the majority have been impacted negatively; hence this heartfelt review. It begins when you enter the door, see the signage that rather than be welcoming is demeaning and commands that you are not welcome with children (anywhere) on their property. While I don't have children, I do find the bold statement offensive to my friends and family who do and a significant inconvenience considering most all other local area wineries have either no objections to children and/or make accommodations for children on their property by creating family-friendly areas. Couldn't the signage be more welcoming and not be a numerated list of rules/expectations? I understand the importance of posting these, but to be your first impression creates an element that you are just one of a number of customers who are assumed to not comply without any prior infraction. On numerous occasions, I have seen families enter the door only to be greeted by a management team member who turns them away and "reminds them" that they are not a kid-friendly facility; in one case, the staff member said, "it is clearly posted on the other side of the door you just entered". Could that be any more unwelcoming or aggressively demeaning? I suppose awarding that family a 'free-tasting coupon' for a future visit is their consolation prize for their denial of admittance. Does this really soften the blow? Anyway, I digress; back to my continued review -- Upon walking into the tasting room, only one time ever do I recall being greeted by any staff member who smiled and welcomed me or my group to the bar. Instead, a tasting sheet was thrust in front of me and the wines were poured without little or no commentary. In fact, I had to inquire about the tasting fee which I was told, "is printed on the tasting sheet". The low employee morale is clearly evident and on all weekend occasions they have been tremendously understaffed. In attending several events hosted at and by the winery, again there was lack was in positive customer service and experience. Having attending numerous barrel tastings over the years at a number of area wineries, the barrel tastings at Delaplane Cellars are beautifully adorned with food, but both times I attended at Delaplane, there was no pattern of progressing through the barrel room for sampling, it was obnoxiously cramped and crowded, and there was great competition between guests attempting to get to the food that was allegedly paired with the wine samples. There was no explanation of the wines in barrel or their background and the personnel sampling from the barrel were often not employees, but instead volunteers. What winery staffs an event where the sole purpose is to sell futures with volunteers who are not educated about the wine they desire to sell? Additionally, the owners of the winery were vaguely present, but again not in any educational manner, but instead at the register asking all guests if they intend to purchase wine rather than engaging them in conversation or thanking them for their attendance, patronage and support. It was quickly obvious to me that their barrel tasting events were not about appreciating their customers, but instead about hurrying them along through the experience and all while hoping to swipe a credit card. I do understand that any business is dependent upon sales for success, but at the cost of the experience of your customers/guests seems quite counterintuitive to true future sales. And lastly, one of my guests who wanted to resample a wine that was being considered for purchase, was denied another pour because the volunteer was told that they were to only pour "one small amount". While the scenery at the winery is beautiful on the inside and out, that beauty is not evident in their business model or the way they interact with their customers. While there was a time this would have likely been more tolerated because there was little competition, there are now so many other area wineries that combine great facilities, great wine and even great customer experiences. If you've not explored Blue Valley Winery, RdV and/or Linden Vineyards, you should - I am certain that I will not be back to Delaplane Cellars until there is a dynamic shift in focus to customer service and customer appreciation. read more

If you're from NYC and you don't drive, you basically cannot visit this place. They turned away our group for that simple fact. But that would have been acceptable had it not been for the extremely unprofessional staff who lined up and clapped as we returned to our car. And by we I mean a group of 4 well dressed sober wine lovers in our 30s. On the hottest day of the summer a staff member literally ran to our car to send us away. She yelled at me until she was red-faced and sweaty then told me to leave - I was totally mortified! If the reason they don't allow drop-offs is to prevent a pretentious feel, they have failed as the staff member who addressed us was self righteous and just downright rude. The barrel oak winery across the way was so sweet to us. And their wines were great! Go there instead. read more

Delaplane Cellars was my favorite of the three Virginia wineries Justin and I visited during our first romantic weekend together away from the DC area. The Delaplane Cellars tasting room is situated in a beautiful location overlooking their entire property as well as the hillside vineyards of nearby wineries. The late July day we were at Delaplane we had a gorgeous view of the rolling hills encased with fog since it was the one weekend that wasn't squelching hot. In the tasting room itself, there was a duo playing a saxophone and guitar which added to the elegance of the set up and view. The wine bar took up most of the space with a line of tables on the side of the room that is comprised of full length windows. There's even a patio with seating outside which would have been perfect had it not been drizzling. Overall, the layout is just lovely and quite romantic...especially since the other wineries we visited during our trip erred more on the rustic side. The classic tasting Delaplane comes with five wines for $7 but is free with the Yelp check in offer (woo!). The 2009 CINQ2, which is a red blend of five grapes (64% Cabernet Sauvignon; 20% Merlot; 11% Tannat; 4% Cabernet Franc; 1% Petit Verdot) with the "2" denoting that it's the second year they've done this combination, was far and away the best wine of the day from this or the other two wineries Justin and I visited. The CINQ2 was perfumey and had a remarkable depth of flavor, particularly for a Virgina wine. There is also a reserve tasting of four wines for $8. To accompany our tasting, we ordered the Virginia sampler plate ($26), but when we tried to take our tasting glasses over to a table beside the window so we could enjoy the scenery around us, we were told that was a no-no. Apparently there's some weird law in Virginia where you're not allowed to do that...a law that seems to be very much on the side of the winery and its efforts to get everyone to buy a glass of wine! Luckily they let us finish that taste at the table and eat our food before returning to the tasting bar to finish our pours. About equally as strange as that scenario was running into Dan, the best bartender from ChurchKey, while we were snacking! It seemed like he and his friends were having as good of a time as we were and we got to chat a bit before we each moved on to our next wines. The Virginia sampler plate came with three cheeses and some sliced salami, and was served with some pseudo-spicy jam, which paired well with the goat cheese, and freshly baked bread which may have been the best part of the order. Everything in the spread was local...as was the art for sale on the walls. The ladies assisting us with our wines were quite informative, offering suggested pairings and giving the background behind the wines, whether info on the naming convention or the reasons why some were only available in half bottles. They certainly contributed to making it a pleasant and relaxing trip to Delaplane, and we were able to enjoy our time there that much more. This is definitely a worthwhile stop on a Virginia wine tour. read more