We have been drinking 2016 RDV all weekend with friends from California. They cant believe the quality and body of the wine. Its excellent.

Having been born in Northern California, we like to say we "bleed wine"...with that said I don't appreciate your pomp and circumstance nor continual name dropping. Having a call button to get in the front gate sets the tone. Serving a tasting of rose' upon arrival, which you don't sell, but you don't find out until the end of your tasting appt. is quite ridiculous. The tasting was clever, letting us taste one wine that you are completely sold out of but if we join the wine club we could get the next release?? read more

I'm sure the wine is great, if I had been allowed to taste it. Apparently this vineyard is by "appointment" only. This is a vineyard not a doctors office; let's call it a reservation. We were immediately turned away upon arrival and the hostess acted confused as to our intentions. She asked if were were ambassadors like we were aware of their lingo for club member. Again I'm sure this place is great but I found them to be very pretentious and exclusive. read more

Absolute favorite. Exceptional wines - Bordeaux heavy and reminds me of France. Membership has its perks and not one bad experience or bottle. Everything from the gated entrance down, the wine cave, the WINE (exceptional and Suckling rated) to the story behind the label has been carefully crafted, considered and refined. A must. read more

A lovely winery and very interesting story about how they raised the bar for Virginia wines. I think any wine enthusiast would enjoy the tasting and tour. Reservations are required and the group size allowed is limited. The winery focuses on the customer experience and the staff members were wonderful. Our group loved our tour led by Carl. We are looking forward to drinking our bottles presently stored in the future and reminiscing about our wonderful day at the winery. read more

My friends and I (around 15 total) showed up around 3:15 only to find that this vineyard could not accommodate us. We've been to many vineyards in Virginia, both today alone and on other scheduled tours, and have not run into this issue. The person who greeted us said that she would see what she could do. We offered to simply purchase bottles and forego the tour, but she suggested we move to another vineyard- that was her idea of accommodation. Supposedly directly after the last tour at 3pm. I recently heard that Gov. McAuliffe encouraged folks to visit VA wineries himself but I have news for him. Even if you show up, at a reasonable time, you will be turned away. What is this? Spain? Are there plans for a siesta? Don't waste your time. Better to spend siesta with a bottle from Napa on your own patio. read more

We really enjoyed our tour and tasting experience! Very enthusiastic and informative tour guide with true farming experience. Beautiful views at the vineyard. Terrific wine and food tasting included. This is "the" Virginia winery to try if you only try one! The founder is an ex-marine and Kellogg grad with attention to detail! Highlight to the tour was the cellar underground - definitely will come back and ordered two bottles of the rendezvous (RdV is short form for that in French and also the initials of the founder) to take Home with us! Expensive but worth seeing what all the fuss is about ;) enjoyed our afternoon! read more

Lost Mountain Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Delaplane, Virginia

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Wow, just wow! So $50 for a tasting may seem like a lot, but our experience was just outstanding. We went with two friends and had reservations for a 3:00 tasting on Friday. Driving up to the property, it appeared we were driving up to a country farm with the exception of all the vines on the hillside. We were warmly greeted immediately upon walking to the entrance and led inside to a comfortable room where our tasting was being set up. We were offered a glass of champagne and then led on a tour of the property. We started outside where Kaitlin explained what made this property conducive to wine growing - who knew poor soil conditions would promote the growth of the grapes? The property was gorgeous and well maintained. It was obvious that a lot of thought was put into the design and details of RdV from the exterior to the beautiful silo and the cave. This place was modern, but with old world charm. The cave was probably my favorite, aside from a room that looked to be a lab with formulas written on a chalkboard. The natural granite wall in the cave which happened to be the base of the hillside where the grapes were grown had small trickles of water running down - peaceful and apparently useful in telling if the vines might be getting too much water. I was surprised to learn RdV sends samples of their individual varieties to an expert in France who works with them to determine the proper blend for each wine. The tour lasted about 1 hour and was interesting, enjoyable and informative. We were taken back to the tasting room where our glasses had been poured and small plates brought out, two types of cheese, some salami and a small bowl of olives. Really a nice presentation. My husband noticed a bottle of Caymus Special Selection open on a small counter in the room - it had been opened for a group of journalists visiting to compare against RdV wines. He joked with one of the sommeliers that we should test it against RdV as well. Wouldn't you know we were led outside, promised a blind tasting and told the Caymus would not compare against RdV. He was right! All four of us were able to identify the Caymus right away and agreed we preferred the RdV wines. This was a fairly big deal for me as I am partial to CA wines and absolutely love the Caymus Special Selection. RdV offers two (well three if you count Family and Friends) varieties, Rendezvous and Lost Mountain. Rendezvous is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It is a rich, full wine that I found fruity, delicious and ready to drink now. Lost Mountain is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. We were told this one would age quite well although I also found it quite good in the tasting. To be honest, I was absolutely floored to find VA wines I liked so well. Near the end of our tasting, Rutger even stopped in to greet us - very down to earth and clearly passionate about his wines. We ended up joining the ambassador's club which I believe requires purchasing six bottles of wine annually. We went home with two bottles of each of the 2010 releases and 2 bottles of the 2009 Rendezvous as well as a complimentary bottle of the Friends and Family blend. I am looking forward to some of the events they are planning for the summer. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who loves great Bordeaux style wines. This was an absolutely wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Tip - their website states tastings are available only on Saturdays and Sundays. If you want to visit another day give them a call. They seem to be very accommodating as we toured on Friday afternoon and it was just the four of us. read more

Lost Mountain Vineyards - Local restaurants which feature RdV wines - Wineries Near Me - Delaplane, Virginia

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Hands down best winery in NOVA! I'm usually not a fan of Virginia or Maryland wine, but rdv got it right! The vineyard is absolutely gorgeous and the facilities are impeccable! We had an hour long tour of the winery, followed by a tasting two blends and some delicious charcuterie. I highly recommend this place! read more

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Let me echo most of the other reviewers in saying the tour and wine are expensive but fun. RdV is one of the most beautiful vineyards I've seen in Virginia. From the time you enter (and a little before) you have an excellent view of the varied greens of the vineyard blocks and fields in one direction, while the other directions shows you rolling hills and far-flung farmhouses. Horses, sheep, and cows are all in evidence, near and far. A home built from -- or in the style of -- an old barn sits on the property (as is a short soccer field!). The winery itself is beautiful, with spokes radiating out from an opaque silo that apparently glows with light at night; inside, it's a very modern glass, cement, and steel construction, with weathered touches and furnishings here and there to bring in the country warmth. The tour takes you through most of the winery, as well as outside to look at the vineyard a little (with permission given for you to wander on your own afterward). Caitlin was the guide when I was there, and she was welcoming, patient, and full of stories and information about the vineyard and winemaking in general. The tasting itself was relatively brief as others have said, since it's only the two wines; however, the wines were good, as were the two cheeses, the sausage, the bread, and the olives provided for pairing. I found it a little different to have the guests left alone for the tasting, but Caitlin explained the wines before giving us time to ourselves and then returned after a while to talk more about them. I enjoyed myself. read more

FANTASTIC WINE. pricey! supposedly ages well. Bordeux style Came with 2 other couples and we had a fabulous tour and seated tasting. they provided some cheese, olives, cured meats. read more

Great experience and great wine! A visit includes a tour, wine tasting, and charcuterie. It is a little pricey but well worth it at least once. read more

There have been nearly as many media articles about RdV Vineyards wine as there have been bottles produced. The luxury-brand winery with the intriguing owner/winemaker has been covered by everyone from the Washington Post (including wine writer Dave McIntyre and political writer Dana Milbank) to the Washingtonian (Todd Kliman and Carol Joynt) to Jancis Robinson's column in the Financial Times (where, incidentally, she called Virginia wines "thrillingly good"). Most Virginia wineries never get a mention in one of these, ever, not to mention all of them, regularly. He's done so many interviews it's a wonder that owner/winegrower/winemaker Rutger de Vink has time for wine. Yet all of the articles stress his fanatical focus on all aspects of the winemaking process, and we can attest to it, too, having spent some time at the winery with de Vink when RdV was newly opened. The results are in the wine, acclaimed by virtually everyone, even at the steep price point--for Virginia-- of $95 for the Lost Mountain and $75 for the "second tier" wine, Rendezvous. The results are also in the winery itself, which is now open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, with appointment, starting in April 2014. The building manages to be both minimal and opulent simultaneously, with its distinctive silo echoing the rural countryside as its centerpiece, and a modern glass, stone and wood interior out of Architectural Digest. Beyond the main area's hearth room and public spaces, the wine caves and barrel room continue the "just so" perfection of RdV. While Rutger de Vink himself is famous for showing up in his vineyard-working duds, none of the mud or disarray finds of the working farm finds its way inside. The fermentation room and its stainless steel tanks plays host to dinners for 45, while the intimate wine cave is the preferred space for a smaller huddle of 20 or so. Larger parties of up to 200 can use tented space outside. Weekend visits to the winery can include a tasting of current releases (keeping in mind that at this writing RdV is producing only two wines for purchase), or a behind the scenes tour of the vineyards and winery following by tastings in the wine cave. The winery is handicap accessible. There is a gravel drive, off of which a slightly inclined walkway can be used to access a side door of the tasting room. Inquire about accessibility for events or winery tours. No dogs or anyone under 21 years old. Cheers! Nancy & Rick VAWineInMyPocket.com read more

We had RdV recommended to us by someone who knew we like Opus One... we thought how very odd, considering RdV is very close to where we live. Surely that could not be... but they were right. First of all, the winery itself and vineyard... absolutely beautiful. Breathtaking views from the top of the hill as well. We've been to a couple of events so far (became "ambassadors" aka members). The Bourbon Steak dinner was a lot of fun, although we felt underdressed... The second time, we planned better and dressed up a bit. RdV draws an interesting crowd, some pretentious, and some "average Joes". Love BOTH wines... (red blends are our favorites to begin with) Buy them by the case when we have the $ - yes, the wine is expensive, but oh-so-worth-it. The employees bend over backwards if they can to accommodate you and the history or stories they can tell you can entertain for hours. I highly recommend visiting if you haven't been, but yes, it's reservation only, i.e. not for tour buses. Keeps the smaller intimate feeling going, which is one of the things we love. read more

We had the best day at RdV celebrating our anniversary! Best and most informative of wine tours - Connie was awesome! Met new friends and such beauty surrounding the silo where we had our tour/ tasting! Love how the Josh and his team support the military and wounded veterans A must-go see if you are in the area!! read more

Lost Mountain Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Delaplane, Virginia

Tremendous experience with world class wines. This is all you would expect at a first or second growth Bordeaux Château. When you are here you forget all about most other winery visitsThe wines are downright bargains compared to California labels (like Bryant) at triple the price. I don't know their secret but it's magic. Go and experience it yourself. Great job Rdv! read more

This is a great tour for millennials that want to know every aspect of natural wine making and weed control. That is what they focus on. The tour guide was very excitable. And gasped when mentioning the Bordeaux wine advisor visiting the following week. The level of self absorption and pomposity here is incredible. You are required to attend a detailed tour before you can taste the wine. The tour does not make the wine taste better. Luckily, there were millennials in the tour group so they asked even more useless questions. So the tour took forever. Skip this Winery at all costs. If you are interested in similar but better wines, please visit Sunset Hills. read more

Good wine. However, we wanted to purchase a glass to enjoy after the tour and were told that only " Ambassadors/ members" are allowed to buy wine by the glass. A little too pretentious and smug for our taste so we left. Great wine but pompous attitudes. read more

My boyfriend and I went here based on Yelp reviews and because we like to try the wineries in the area. We were blown away, to say the very least! We arrived a little early and were given champagne while we waited. We then took about a 45 minute tour of the winery, great story and very informative. After the tour we were given 2 wines tastings and a spread of cheese, pate, etc. I HIGHLY recommend making a reservation and coming to RDV. Yes, it's a little pricey, but you get what you pay for!! We will most definitely be back! read more

My husband and I went here recently for a tour/tasting. So overpriced. The illusion of exclusivity is not a substitution for ridiculously-priced wine that's quite good for VA but not incredible enough to justify a $95 price tag. RdV opened in 2006 but only recently to the public by appointment only. You can schedule a tour/tasting, priced at $40 per person, advertised as lasting 90 minutes. RdV only has three Bordeaux-style wines made from 5 varietals - Lost Mountain, Rendezvous, and a wine they make for charity and is only sold online. RdV has a beautiful facility, and the person giving the tour was very nice. The owner spared no expense in building his facility and making his wine perfect, but that cost is clearly recouped in the price of the tastings and wine. The owner has also worked with Linden's Jim Law in perfecting his wine, which impressed me because I am a huge fan of Linden's wines and visit there about once a month. The reality was that RdV charged $40 per person for a 20 minute tour, and two approx. 3 oz. pours of wine with a small plate of cheese, a few pieces of salami, and olives. After the tour, we were seated at a table with two glasses of wine and the small food plate, and someone checked on us every 10 minutes. We were done after about 45 minutes of arriving (including the tour time). I honestly thought it would be a step up from a typical tasting, but it really wasn't anything special to justify that cost. We aren't in Napa or France, sorry. The wine itself was good. Lost Mountain was actually quite good, but both were not ready for drinking yet. They were very young, but I could taste the potential - after cellaring them for 5-8 years, they would probably be wonderful. Even so, $95 a bottle for Lost Mountain and $75 for Rendezvous was insanity to me. A mixed case of 12 bottles was almost $1000. Just to put things in perspective, my husband and I made our usual stop at Linden prior to RdV - each had a tasting, bought 3 bottles of wine to take home, ordered a cheese and charcuterie plate, with a baguette, and had 2 full glasses of library wine (2006 vintage) - our bill for ALL of that was only $20 more than the tastings at RdV. And the wine we had at Linden was much better than the wines at RdV. I'm not saying that I would be opposed to RdV's cost if the wines were worth it or the tasting was stepped up to include more than cheese and salami - maybe some catered food that was specific to bring out the character of the wine? But for now, RdV is overpriced and not worth the trip. read more

So I went here over Memorial Day weekend with a couple friends and was pleasantly surprised. Truth be told I had no idea what to expect except that I had to make a reservation in order to do a tasting. I opted for the shorter tasting for $30/pp and I have to say it was well worth the price imho. When we drove up it hit us that this wasn't your standard vineyard. First off you have to be buzzed in at the gate. Yes, you read that correctly. Initially my response to this was, REALLY!?!?! When you drive up the gravel drive you get to take in the absolutely pristinely kept grounds. The grapes are planted on vast rolling hills and the main building looks like a modern farm house with tons of windows and even a silo. We walked in and were immediately taken with the contemporary architecture of glass and metal work. The place was a little like a museum though and came off a bit cold. It didn't help that Delia Deetz and Otho were the only two others tasting wine during that time (yes, that was a Beetlejuice reference). However the coolness of the surroundings ended up being a perfect compliment to the experience. Our greeter/host/wine pourer (whatever you want to call her) was Caitlin and she met us upon entering. She was immediately warm and friendly so our initial concerns about the place feeling cool and uninviting washed away. She seated us in the tasting room that was furnished with modern, glass dining tables. Each couple received a plate of meats, bread, and cheeses to compliment the wines. Alas, there were only 2 wines to taste. HOWEVER, they were AMAZING. Both were well rounded, medium bodied and went down a little too quickly (even though we were poured a half glass of each). In fact one of our friends went so far to say it was the best Virginia wine he'd ever had. I can't disagree. We ended up ordering a bottle at the table and another round of cheese and bread. I will say their bottles were steep even for VA wine standards ($75 for Rendezvous/$90 for Lost Mountain). After that we strolled up their drive to see the amazing vineyard views and peruse the grounds. I have to say the views matched the wine. Everything was absolutely wonderful. I'd usually say $30 is pricey for tasting two wines, but the experience warranted the price. I recommend this for a romantic escape or if you feel like getting away from the hustle and bustle of the more popular wineries that feel like tourist attractions. read more

Great, intimate wine tasting experience. This isn't a step up to the bar and have sample after sample poured into your glass. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming. (Make sure you make a reservation in advance on their website) The tour was great and had great information about how the winery was created and how they produce their wine. They only produce (2) main wines (Lost Mountain and Rendezvous), both are Bordeaux-style blends, and then a third for wine club members. In the past I have not been overly impressed with Virginia wineries, but what they are making here is competitive with many California wines. The tour ends with a tasting. You're able to buy a couple of bottles. This is not a mass produced wine. This is somewhat reflected in the price. If you like fine wines and Bordeaux I'd recommend a visit. read more

First, this is a showcase winery with details not found in any other Virginia winery that I have visited. The wine tasting reservation allows you to view the entire operation. As most noted, you must make a reservation to visit RDV - no walk-ins. This entire setting is 2 to 3 levels above the rest and architecture of the building is pretty awesome. Absolutely worth a visit and the $50 tasting fee. And note, they were willing to do some re-pours during our tasting. As for the wine, it is very good for Virginia. There is in only one or two other vineyards in Virginia that compare. It is pricey, but come to expect that for better Virginia wines. RDV like many other wineries is not kid or baby friendly and for a good reason. read more

I'm going to start this off with the positives. The place a beautiful, the tour is well done...this is about it. Once the tour was complete, we sat down to our tasting. It wasn't until this time that we were told there were no options to buy more wine from RDV other then bottles from other vineyards. The minimum cost of these wines start at $95! This was very disappointing and it felt deceiving in that we weren't informed of this prior to our visit. We ended up having to buy something we never tried, which wasn't great, and was not the intent of our visit. While we were seated, a staff member came over and told us after our tasting, we would need to relinquish our table. We were only at the table for 45 minutes which made us confused. I informed them that we had sat down at 3:15 and that we were informed of a 90 minute seating. They came back a few minutes later and apologized for the confusion. I stopped the gentlemen who gave us a tour and asked him when wine was going to be available for purchase RDV wine again. He said not till 2022! I'm not sure how you can justify a $70 ticket for 3 tasting glasses and a charcuterie board when your wine isn't available, and 1 of the 3 glasses in the tasting is Dom. I reached out to their guest services who informed me that this was a "Boutique" winery and that their production had been limited. While that's great and all, this should have been something told to people buying tour tickets PRIOR to. Oh, you can buy the wine, IF, you become a member. Only a mere $500 per person... THIS PLACE IS A SCAM. I'd give 0 stars if I could. read more

This winery definitely takes the cake. When you walk in the door, you are presented with a glass of Billecart-Salmon. The grounds are impeccable, and the hillside is a delight to behold. The tour is a delightful journey through their cellar and ends with a seated tasting of local charcuterie and cheese. Definitely worth doing once, and again if you can afford it or to join the Ambassador program which is their wine club. read more

Outstanding wines, idyllic setting, informative tour, and friendly staff make this well worth the drive. In addition, the need for reservations keeps the crush down that occurs at so many other wineries. read more

Without a doubt one of the most impressive wineries in Virginia. Only a handful have wowed us, but even fewer offer the entire package. For several years I have wanted to visit and when we finally got around to making the arrangements it was well worth the wait. It felt like we were transported to Napa or Europe! We were lucky to have our tour with Rutger who was an excellent host. He brilliantly has made all the proper connections in the industry to craft truly fine wine. We appreciated the unique nuances he took care to include in the tour and tasting experience, which further sets his wines apart from the rest. It will be our pleasure to go back with friends. read more

Wow definitely one of the best red VA wines. Very nice tour and property. Definitely more on the pricey side and be ready to pay $75-$95 per bottle. read more

This is the best winery and vineyard I've been to in northern Virginia. You must have a reservation, the tours are kept small and intimate, the operation is family run, the facility itself is beautiful, and the wines are delicious. I liked everything about this place, especially the humble sincerity the makers convey while obviously delivering a product of the highest levels. read more

Connie is a delight! Had a wonderful time touring the vineyard, checking out the winemaking facility, and tasting their stellar cabernet sauvignon and merlot blends. Connie did a fantastic job informing us along the way, making sure to point out all of the intricacies of the unique story behind RdV. Definitely recommend coming on a weekday/reserve a spot on the tour in advance. read more

Having tasted my share of VA wine, I was curious too see what could possibly emerge from its terroir that would justify a $90 price point. Well, I figured it out. It's self-proclaimed greatness along with a price that suggests 'eliteness' has been a marketing success for RdV. I am actually surprised at how easily VA wine drinkers are seduced by their illusion - brilliant as it may be. Those I have met boast of their Ambassador Club standing. All that came to mind is "you've got to be kidding me". I will give credit where credit is due and to that end, RdV, in its youth is producing at the apex of VA wine offerings and the premise is very nicely achieved. My problem is with the price point. The Lost Mountain is an excellent example of VA's wine potential but it doesn't compete with most new world wines that cost less than half the cost - California and Argentina especially. If compared to a hundred dollar Napa wine, I can't see how anyone would buy Lost Mountain again - ever. Rendezvous can be easily bested buy many $20 wines from those regions and is hardly worth mention outside Virginia. If you want to validate my claim, try some of CA's northern coast AVAs (Diamond Mtn, Carneros, Russian River, Yountville, Napa, Rutherford, Stags Leap... the list goes on). Spend $60 - $80 in those markets, or less in Mendoza for example, and you will experience truly full bodied, balanced, robust wines that will reset your baseline for great wine and free yourself from this deception. Sure, RdV has taken the right path to developing decent wine, but it can't escape its weak link - VA fruit. read more

Truly great wine just 45 minutes from DC. I read some reviews that compare this against bold Napa cabs and they clearly just don't get it. This wine is made in the OLD WORLD blend style. I would be extremely hard pressed to differentiate the Rendezvous from a right bank bordeaux. In fact, i'm sure I could not. It really is that good if you prefer the subtle complexity of bordeaux. If your looking for a Caymus style Napa fruit/oak bomb, then you might be disappointed. read more

Great tour! Highly recommended Connie as your tour guide- she was energetic and fun!! After going to many wineries in Va, I have to say this one has THE BEST wine. Definitely worth the $50 tour fee(which includes a glass of champagne, tasting of 2 wines, and meat/cheese plate). The wine is so good, you'll think you are in Napa. Beautiful, relaxing atmosphere. Must visit!! read more

Beautiful setting and first rate, enjoyable wine tour. I gave 3stars for the wine tasting. Very good wine but only served 1/4 of a glass, ( if that), of the 2 wines. read more