Many Virginia wineries offer elegant and charming accommodations — set amongst vineyards with spectacular views — for wine and culinary enthusiasts in search of an immersive wine country experience or restorative getaway.
The following are a few popular places to recharge and experience Virginia wine country.
Wedmore Place at Wessex Hundred, The Williamsburg Winery—Williamsburg
Photo Credit: Ron Magee
Located on the 300-acre Wessex Hundred property in historic Williamsburg, Virginia, Wedmore Place is a 28-room European-style country inn constructed in 2007. A short walk from The Williamsburg Winery tasting room, Wedmore Place offers visitors elegant accommodations and world-class food and wine. Guests can choose from traditional rooms, fitted with antique furniture and fireplaces, to multi-room suites ranging in size from 500 to 1,100 sq. feet. The large leather couches and wood burning fireplace in the library on the lower level is a warm and inviting place to relax with a book or glass of estate wine before dinner.
Dining: There are two restaurants available: The Gabriel Archer Tavern, across from the tasting rom, offers lunch daily and the Wine & Brine lounge featuring local oysters is open on weekends; At Cafe Provençal, located in Wedmore Place, guests can enjoy fine dining featuring Executive Chef Ian Robbins’ seasonal menu that highlights vegetables from the garden on site, oysters and other seafood from nearby waters, and meats sourced from local farms.
Wines to enjoy in the Wedmore Library and with dinner: Start with a bottle of Wessex Hundred estate Viognier and cheese plate in the Library in front of the wood burning fireplace. Indulge in a bottle of Adagio, The Williamsburg Winery’s flagship red blend (and Virginia Governor’s Cup winner) for dinner.
The Farmhouse at Veritas Vineyards—Afton
Photo Credit: Cphoto credit: Chad Williams, @echadwilliams
The Farmhouse at Veritas Vineyards is located in the scenic town of Afton, 25 miles west of Charlottesville and minutes from Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive. The original farmhouse was built in 1836, and today The Farmhouse boasts eight elegant guest rooms with views of the vineyards and Blue Ridge foothills. Wine and cheese is offered in the afternoons. The Farmhouse provides an intimate retreat to relax in the scenic heart of Virginia wine country.
Dining: On warm days, The Farmhouse chef prepares a three-course breakfast served with Veritas sparkling wine on the verandah or in the garden. A four-course dinner paired with Veritas wines is available Tuesday through Saturday in the dining room or garden house (weather permitting).
Wines: Stock up on the 2015 Veritas Viognier! Made by noted winemaker Emily Pelton, the fresh and vibrant Viognier offers notes of white flower, honeysuckle and peach. A delicious, world-class Viognier that pairs well with a walk around the property, a game of billiards with other guests, or while relaxing in one of the front porch rocking chairs. Guests are provided a bottle of estate Chardonnay with their stay.
The 1804 Inn & Cottages at Barboursville Vineyards—Barboursville
Image Courtesy of Barboursville Vineyards
Located about 20 miles northeast of Charlottesville, The 1804 Inn & Cottages is situated on the historic grounds of Barboursville Vineyards. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in Virginia wine, food, and history. The inn is located next to the ruins of former Virginia Governor James Barbour’s home, designed by Thomas Jefferson, which was largely destroyed by fire on Christmas Day, 1884. The 1804 Inn is a classic Georgian villa that predates (by several decades) the construction of Governor Barbour’s residence. The property boasts six cottages and three suites, each a unique part of the property’s history. The Octagon and Malvaxsia suites have 45-foot balconies with expansive views of the vineyards, the lake on property, the ruins, and Blue Ridge foothills in the distance. Rooms are appointed with antique furniture, oriental rugs, and some with fireplaces. The Barboursville tasting room (open daily) is a short walk from the 1804 Inn where visitors can taste award winning wines made by one of the region’s most notable winemakers, Luca Paschina. Perfect for a restorative wine and food weekend.
Dining: Located beside the Barboursville tasting room, Palladio restaurant offers superb multi-course lunch and dinner prepared by Executive Chef Spencer Crawford in an elegant setting.
Wines to enjoy: Start with the crisp, citrus and mineral-driven Barboursville Vermentino Reserve and splurge on a bottle of older Octagon, their flagship red blend with dinner at Palladio.
The Albemarle Estate at Trump Winery—Charlottesville
Photo Credit: Jack Looney
Situated on 1,300 acres on rolling hills about 10 miles south of downtown Charlottesville, the 26,000 foot, 45-room neo-Georgian mansion offers a luxurious wine country getaway. With the the manicured gardens, statues, chandeliers and other sophisticated appointments, spacious rooms along with sweeping views of vineyards atop rolling hills, The Albemarle Estate is stunning. A dark wood paneled billiards room, a private movie theater, fitness center, sauna, and heated swimming pool are among the amenities available to guests.
Dining: Guests enjoy an à la carte breakfast in the dining room each morning of their stay. A selection of seasonal fare including cheese and charcuterie plates, salads, sandwiches and other small plates are available at the Trump Winery tasting room across from the Albemarle house.
Wines to pair with the views, a walk around the grounds, game of billiards, or after a dip in the heated pool: All of sparkling wines — Sparkling Reserve, Blanc de Noir, Blanc de Blanc, and Sparkling Rose. Winemaker Jonathan Wheeler continues to produce world-class sparkling wines vintage after vintage.
The Vineyards Guest Cottage at Early Mountain Vineyards—Madison
Early Mountain Vineyards, located in Madison, just north of Charlottesville, offers a charming cottage adjacent the Block 11 petit manseng vineyard. Located on the east side of the 300-acre property, the one-bedroom cottage includes two sitting rooms (one with a pull out sofa for extra sleeping room), a kitchen and inviting back patio. The hammock in the backyard invites guests to take an afternoon nap or catch up on reading. Bicycles are provided for exploring the vineyard property or for a short ride to the tasting room to relax with wine on the patio. Perfect for couples or small families in search of a private vineyard getaway.
Dining: Guests can enjoy charcuterie, local cheeses, and sandwiches prepared by chef Ryan Collins at the Early Mountain tasting room (food delivered to the cottage during normal business hours).
Wine to pair with the views: Early Mountain Vineyards 2014 Foothills red blend to pair with views of the Blue Ridge foothills from the back patio (cottage guests are provided two bottles of Early Mountain wine with their stay).
The Inn at Stinson Vineyards—Crozet
Nestled among the vines of Stinson Vineyards, The Inn at Stinson Vineyards is a beautiful, relaxing bed and breakfast that provides panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The inn offers a hot breakfast each morning, a pristine pool for a refreshing dip during the summer months, and outdoor patios where you can enjoy the surrounding landscape.
—MORE WINERIES WITH ON-SITE LODGING—
Beliveau Estate Winery
- Glass House Winery Bed & Breakfast
- Beliveau Estate Winery Manor House
- The Suites at Prince Michel
- Afton Mountain Vineyards Guest House & Cottages
- Arcady Vineyard Bed & Breakfast
- Ingleside Vineyards Cottages
- Bluemont Vineyard Cottages
- Delfosse Vineyards & Winery Log Cabin
A number of other Virginia wineries and cideries offer lodging options including: Albemarle Cider Works in North Garden, about 15 miles southwest of Charlottesville, offers a four-bedroom farmhouse on the orchard property; Sharp Rock Vineyards in Sperryville, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offers two private cottages on the winery property.
What is your favorite vineyard accommodations?
I would also recommend Barbee’s X-ing, Hume Va.
Marceline!
Mt Crawford (Shenandoah Valley)
Business training deserves the money.
Hi my husband and 2 daughters age 3 and 2 are looking to stay somewhere about hour or so out of DC. A winery or someplace kid friendly with charm.
Check out Valley View Farm, Sharp Rock Vineyards, or Bluemont Vineyard!
Hi! I’m trying to find a fun vineyard + hotel for my husband and me in a few weeks. We are in our 30s and looking to escape the kids for 24 hours. I love wine. He loves rum, so we need a full bar onsite. We live in Annapolis, MD and are trying to keep the drive as close to 2 hours as possible. Which one of these do you think would be best? Thanks in advance for your time and feedback!
Hi Chrissie, Sharp Rock Vineyards or Early Mountain Vineyards would probably be the closest to within a 2 hour drive.