Charlottesville is known for its rich colonial American history. Three of the country’s first presidents had homes there (that are open to the public). Plus Charlottesville is home to many wonderful wineries – dozens of them. In fact, there are about 300 wineries in Virginia as a whole. This article describes ten Charlottesville area wineries that stand out for the overall experience including tasting options, scenery and other inviting features for guests. It goes without saying that they all offer excellent wines, and many are award-winners. In fact, Barboursville Vineyards, Michael Shaps Wineworks, and Pollak Vineyards won the prestigious 2022 Governor’s Cup Case awards. Most of the wineries profiled in this article are in or very near Charlottesville (and all are on the Monticello Wine Trail); others are a short drive away. Two of the ten wineries also offer lodging and restaurants onsite. All offer wine tastings (for a price) as well as wine by the glass or bottle. In addition to sampling wine, consider exploring some fascinating colonial history (in a general article about Charlottesville) and a walk along one of the great Charlottesville trails.
Popular Virginia Grapes for Making Wine
Dozens of grape varieties are grown in the state; the most prolific ones are the Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Viognier. And fun fact: Viognier is the state grape. Other popular varietals are the Petit Manseng and Petit Verdot. In 2018, Virginia was the sixth highest wine-producing state in the country, so the proliferation of great wineries should come as no surprise.
Diversity of Experiences
Variety is the spice of life, and there’s plenty to choose from at the Charlottesville area wineries. Most of the ten wineries produce their wine from grapes grown onsite (their estate wines) or nearby in the state. All the wineries described in this article have onsite winemaking operations.
The hospitality industry has experienced change over the last several years. Thus, a winery’s operations, hours, food offerings, and event calendars can change from time to time, so check online (or call them) to learn more about the winery(ies) you plan to visit. Here are a few ways wineries can vary:
- Size – Winery settings can vary from ones that cater to small numbers of guests (like Gabrielle Rausse Winery and Jefferson Vineyards) to larger establishments that can easily accommodate – and welcome – large groups (like King Family Vineyards).
- Days of operation – Smaller operations and boutique wineries tend to have limited schedules on and around the weekends (like Thursday through Sunday only). The larger wineries tend to be open most, if not all, days of the week.
- Food – A few wineries offer a variety of prepared food for visitors (like Barboursville Vineyards and Veritas Vineyard & Winery) while others have pre-packaged snacks for purchase. Some allow you to bring your own food to accompany the wine you purchase; others prohibit outside food.
- Personal attention – Wineries often offer personal, guided tastings which means someone will provide details of the wine as you taste them. Sometimes, this is their normal operation like at Michael Shaps Wineworks; other times, a personal tasting comes at an extra cost. However, all of the ten offer self-guided tastings.
- Location – There are dozens of wineries in the Charlottesville area, though several in this article are up to 25 miles away. When heading to the ones outside the downtown, you’ll most likely experience some scenic drives. (Sometimes those drives include winding two-lane roads.) They include Barboursville Vineyards, Keswick Vineyards, Pollak Vineyards, Septenary Winery, and Veritas Vineyard & Winery.
- Scenic views – Wineries outside the city usually come with nice views as they often have more open space and expansive vistas. Of the wineries in this article, Barboursville Vineyards, King Family Vineyards, Pollak Vineyards, Septenary Winery, and Veritas Vineyard & Winery boast the most panoramic views for guests to soak in while sipping.
Self-guided Wine Tastings
All the wineries offer self-guided tastings that means you may purchase a flight of red, white, or mixed (red and white) wine. At some locations, guests are able to choose which wines they want in their flights; sometimes the winery predetermines them. Expect the wine to be accompanied by an information sheet providing basic facts about the wine or short videos that you’ll access by scanning QR codes on your smartphone.
Ten Best Charlottesville Area Wineries to Visit
1. Barboursville Vineyards
17655 Winery Road, Barboursville (about 16 miles northeast of downtown Charlottesville) | 540-832-3824
Barboursville Vineyards sits on land that was once an 18th-century estate, and it has two tasting room options. You can sample wines from dispensers in the Discovery Tasting Room that has tables and chairs as well as pre-packaged food for purchase. In addition, you can have a guided tasting in their Library 1821, a large room with several groups of tables and inviting, comfy chairs. The classic tasting in the Library consists of 6 wines of your choosing. In addition, you can order food prepared by the onsite Palladio Restaurant while in the library. Also, the Italian-inspired Palladio Restaurant is the spot for more formal dining for lunch and dinner. (If choosing the Library tasting or a meal in the restaurant, make sure to secure reservations ahead of time.) In addition to the tasting rooms and the restaurant, Barboursville Vineyards has an onsite inn and cottages.
Our time at Barboursville Vineyards was so relaxing and enjoyable. We opted for the tasting in Library 1821, and it was a perfect choice. The day we visited was cool and misty. Inside was warm and inviting. Plus our wine educator/server was quite knowledgeable and personable.
Historical Ruins
The remains (brick walls) of an 18th-century brick mansion built for the Barbour family sit on the Barboursville Vineyards grounds. (James Barbour served as Virginia’s governor, a U.S. senator, and Secretary of War in John Quincy Adams’ administration.) Thomas Jefferson designed the home, one of the largest in the area at the time. The home was built between 1814-1822, but it was destroyed in a fire on Christmas Day, 1884. Today, you can view the remains – a short walk or drive from the main winery building.
2. Blenheim Vineyards
31 Blenheim Farm, Charlottesville (10 miles from downtown Charlottesville) | 434-293-5366
Located near Charlottesville, Blenheim Vineyards‘ tasting room has a deck from which to enjoy vineyard views. Blenheim sells a variety of cheeses that complement the wine you’ll be tasting. Alternatively, you could purchase pre-packaged snacks. Dave Matthews, of the Dave Matthews Band, owns this vineyard and winery. Guided tastings (at busy times of the year) are by reservation only. Outdoor seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
3. Gabriele Rausse Winery
3247 Carters Mountain Road, Charlottesville (9 miles from downtown Charlottesville) | 434-981-1677
Nestled in the woods in a modern concrete and glass structure, Gabriele Rausse Winery is a unique property. Gabriele Rausse, the owner, is famed in the area for helping to establish other vineyards – like Barboursville Vineyards, Blenheim Vineyards, and Jefferson Vineyards. Rausse has served as the Director of Gardens and Grounds at Monticello since 1995, and has helped Monticello establish its vineyard, as well. His grown children are integral in today’s winery operations.
All the wines (but one) are produced from offsite Virginia-grown grapes. This is a small winery with limited seating. In fact, Gabriele Rausse Winery does not overtly advertise their location as there was no signage on the road at all when we visited. Thankfully, our GPS had no problem finding the winery.
4. Jefferson Vineyards
1353 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville (5 miles from downtown Charlottesville) | 434-977-3042
Thomas Jefferson worked with Italian FIlippo Mazzei to create a vineyard on these grounds using vines imported from Europe. Those first vines were planted in 1773 (but were later trampled by horses – yikes!). Today’s Jefferson Vineyards wines are produced from much later vine plantings, of course. The winery has indoor and outdoor seating. Pre-packed snacks are available to pair with your wine. (Note that today, Jefferson Vineyards is not associated with Monticello or the Jefferson family.)
5. Keswick Vineyards
1575 Keswick Winery Drive, Keswick (14 miles northeast of downtown Charlottesville) | 434-244-3341
Keswick Vineyards markets itself as being kid and dog friendly and features live music certain days of the week. Pre-packaged crackers, cheese spreads, and other snacks are available. Choose your wine in the tasting room, and then relax on the covered deck, a tent-covered grassy area, or lawn. We were fortunate enough to have visited Keswick Vineyards, after a lovely drive through the Virginia countryside, on a day they had live music; that was a treat and made the experience all the more enjoyable.
6. King Family Vineyards
6550 Roseland Farm, Crozet (17 miles west of downtown Charlottesville) | 434-823-7800
King Family Vineyards is a unique family-owned property as it has an active polo field on its property. Guests can purchase a set flight of wines for tastings; included with the wine is a QR code to access short videos on the wines in your flight. Pre-packaged snacks are available for purchase to accompany tastings.
Enjoy your tasting on the brick terrace or on the expansive lawn. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Bring your own chairs on busy weekends, as it could be crowded. While enjoying your wine, you’ll be able to view the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains.
Plan your visit during polo season (on most Sundays at noon from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October) and you’ll be able to relax with your wine while watching the action on the field.
7. Michael Shaps Wineworks
1781 Harris Creek Way, Charlottesville (13 miles from downtown Charlottesville) | 434-296-3438
Michael Shaps Wineworks is up a steep hill south of Charlottesville, but the drive pays off with a complimentary, personal guided wine tasting. The wines are those produced onsite as well as wines from Michael Shaps’ vineyard in Burgundy, France. Michael Shaps learned his wine-making skills in Burgundy in the early 1990s and then moved to Virginia a few years later to work at local wineries. After awhile, he went out on his own and created Michael Shaps Wineworks. In addition to this winery, he has Michael Shaps Wineworks Extended in downtown Charlottesville that offers tastings.
8. Pollak Vineyards
330 Newtown Road, Greenwood (20 miles west of downtown Charlottesville) | 540-456-8844
Pollak Vineyards has a large indoor tasting room with plenty of seating outside as well. Mountain and pond views dominate the outside seating areas. This is one of the wineries where you can’t help but relax, enjoy the delicious wines and beautiful vistas.
9. Septenary Winery
200 Seven Oaks Farm, Greenwood (18 miles west of downtown Charlottesville) | 434-996-6292
Septenary Winery is a small family-owned winery west of Charlottesville. Its tasting room was once a poolhouse for the former property owner. Although there’s limited seating inside, there’s ample outdoor options: around the pool, on the covered porch, or in one of the other outdoor spaces a little further from the pool. Septenary caters to adults only (no children or infants).
10. Veritas Vineyard & Winery
151 Veritas Lane, Afton, VA (25 miles west of downtown Charlottesville) | 540-456-8000
Take a short walk from the parking lot through rows of grape vines, and you’ll reach the Veritas Vineyard & Winery tasting room. Tastings are offered as flights of four wines (2 white, 2 red) with their Taste in Place offerings. Choose one of two flights of wine (Classic or Reserve), and you’ll get small bottles of 4 different wines along with corresponding QR codes. Once you’re ready to taste one of the samples, use the supplied QR code to access a video of the winemaker in the vineyard describing that vintage.
A selection of nibbles (such as charcuterie trays, cheese plates, sandwiches, and salads) are available, too. In addition, visitors can reserve (for a fee) a special Reserve Tasting that is hosted by one of their Tasting Room educators. Guests may also opt to dine and/or stay at the onsite Farmhouse at Veritas.
There are beautiful views of the mountains and a farm from several outdoor seating options: an expansive covered porch with tables and chairs; a large brick terrace with picnic benches; and groupings of adirondack chairs clustered around fire pits on the grassy lawn. Inside are tables and chairs as well as sofas centered around a large fireplace.
Planning Winery Visits
To help plan your visit, spend a little time on the Monticello Wine Trail website. It has a curated list of over 30 wineries, all within 25 miles of Charlottesville. Most appealing is a very helpful planning feature: you select the wineries you want to visit, and the site generates an itinerary for you. Even more helpful is the option to reorganize the list it generates to match your daily plans. For example, my husband and I were approaching Charlottesville from the west along Route 64 (off Route 81), so I reorganized the list so that we could visit the wineries to the west of Charlottesville as we were driving into town. Note that most, but not all, of the region’s dozens of vineyards participate in the Monticello Wine Trail.
Related Articles
- Charlottesville – Explore America’s colonial history by visiting the estates of three of the country’s founding fathers, walking and hiking scenic trails, and visiting some notable wineries.
- Charlottesville Trails: Take a Walk Back in History – Discover some inviting trails at historical estates — Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Monroe’s Highland, James Madison’s Montpelier — and nearby parks.
- The Historic Triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown
- Mount Vernon: A Detailed Guide to George Washington’s Home – President George Washington’s home and farm. In addition to a tour of his home, visitors can visit his gardens, tomb, farm, unique 16-sided barn, wharf, and numerous outbuildings that supported the property and those who lived here — including enslaved people.
- Norfolk – Close to Virginia Beach, Norfolk is lively with three top attractions: Chrysler Museum of Art, Nauticus Maritime Museum (with a retired U.S. battleship to tour), and the Norfolk Botanical Garden.
- One Week in Historical Virginia – Consider our itinerary for a fabulous visit to this special part of the state.
- 16 Best Monuments and Memorials in Washington, D.C. – Visit a few or all of these great monuments, including the most recent ones. Use this guide to plan your visit!
Final Thoughts
Wine is such a personal preference. I like dry whites; my husband prefers full-bodied reds. Although we favor different varietals, we both agreed that these wineries offer up a delicious array of fine wines and enjoyable experiences.
Favored Experiences
It’s a given that each of these ten wineries serve up excellent wines. There’s something for everyone’s tastes. So given that, I factor in the experience at the wineries — things like scenic vistas and personal attention — to make recommendations. Here’s a quick rundown of my picks:
- For open mountain views, we enjoyed King Family Vineyards, Pollak Vineyards, Septenary Winery, and Veritas Vineyard & Winery.
- For a woodland setting, Gabrielle Rausse is the perfect place.
- For an expansive view with polo field (with matches on some weekends), head to King Family Vineyards.
- For personal attention, we really enjoyed our time sipping wine (after being guided by a wine educator) and eating delicious food from the on-site restaurant at Barboursville Vineyards’ Library 1821. Michael Shaps Wineworks offered personal, guided wine tastings at no charge — a nice practice that you don’t find most places. Keep in mind, though, that the other wineries do also offer personal, guided wine tastings — for an additional fee.
- For scenic drives, we enjoyed our treks to Barboursville Vineyards, Blenheim Vineyards, Keswick Vineyards, Pollak Vineyards, Septenary Vineyards, and Veritas Vineyards.
- For prepared food options at wineries, check out Barboursville Vineyards and Veritas Vineyards.
- For lodging at vineyards, consider Barboursville Vineyards and Veritas Vineyards. Both have attractive inns (and restaurants).
Charlottesville History and Hikes
There’s plenty to do and see in and around Charlottesville. Three founding fathers (James Madison, James Monroe, and Thomas Jefferson) called Charlottesville home, and their properties are open to the public. In addition, the prestigious University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson in the early 1800s, is located in Charlottesville. It has a historical core area that includes the impressive Jefferson-designed Rotunda — well worth a visit. Finally, there are several good walking trails including some at the three former presidents’ estates.
Our Charlottesville Itinerary
On our last visit to the area, my husband and I spent the mornings visiting the homes of the former presidents. After that, we went for walks on the trails on those properties. Finally, we “wined down” at an area vineyard. All in all, that daily plan worked well for us!
Planning Your Visit
Charlottesville area wineries offer top-notch wines, pleasing hospitality as well as some unique ways to educate their guests about their varietals. Do a little research (the Monticello Wine Trail website is an excellent start) to find the winery(ies) that suit your interests the best. One last tip: you may want to pack some portable lawn chairs in your vehicle, so you’ve got a perch from which to enjoy your wine during busy times at wineries (like sunny, summer weekends). Cheers!
Comments?
Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences from a visit to some of Charlottesville’s wineries. 🙂
