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Posted October 2006
The Blue Ridge WineWay and Beyond
(FAUQUIER COUNTY, VA) – There are a dozen reasons to visit the
Blue Ridge WineWay – one for each of the unique and interesting
wineries along the route. Within easy driving distance from Washington,
DC and Dulles International Airport, this section of the Northern
Virginia wine region is especially easy to reach if you are flying
into the state, or have business (or pleasure) scheduled in the
Nation’s capitol.
The wineries vary from the very new (only one to two years old)
to some of the most established in the State. You are as likely
to run into the proprietors and winemakers at the small enterprises
as you are at the larger ones.
Because many of the wineries are situated on back country roads,
you may want to give yourself lots of time to travel between
your targeted tasting rooms. While you can do as many as five
in one day, you may only want to visit three giving yourself
lots of opportunity to stroll around the grounds, enjoy a snack
with your wine, and get to know the wines and the tasting room
staff.
Read our Virginia
wine tasting tips, for more information.
 Three Fox Vineyards:
This is only the second year that Three Fox Vineyards has been
open to the public. They grow mostly Italian varieties, and
have a popular local following for their sangiovese. This
quaint little tasting room has big plans, as the owners – John
and Holli Todhunter, plan to develop their property into a replica
Tuscan village. Drop by now, however and get to know them
before they start to grow.
Tasting Fee: $4 per taste, or $10 for a flight
Tasting Room hours: Fri., Sat., Sun., and holiday Mondays noon
to 6:00pm
10100 Three Fox Lane, Delaplane, VA (540) 364-6073
Stillhouse Vineyards:
 This is a great little jaunt down a wonderful country lane.
The long gravel driveway takes you around the estate vineyards.
Comfortable indoor and scenic outdoor seating is available,
along with cheese and salami plates which can be purchased
to enjoy with the wines. Varieties include: seyval blanc,
chardonnay, cabernet franc, vidal blanc, and a meritage.
Tasting Fee: $3
Tasting Room hours: Fri., Sat., Sun., 11:00am to 6:00pm
4366 Stillhouse Road, Hume, VA (540) 364-1203
 Enjoy Unicorn wines on their sweet little deck overlooking their
koi-stocked pond, or sit on the banks of the Rappahannock River.
Take home a bottle of their best selling wine: Slightly Embarrassed,
or try their chambourcin, chardonel, or their viogniers, chardonnays,
merlots and cabs.
Hint: Study the flags of wine producing regions. If you can
name the countries of all the flags they have on display, you
get a prize.
Tasting Fee: $2 for 5 wines; $5 for 10 wines
Tasting Room hours: Fri., Sat., Sun., and holiday Mondays 11:00am
to 6:00pm (5:00pm during the winter)
489 Old Bridge Road, Amissville, VA (540) 349-5885
Gray Ghost Vineyards & Winery:
 The family that owns and operates Gray Ghost started their
Virginia wine making venture 20 years ago when they planted vines
on an old, abandoned apple and horse farm. They have beautiful
Victorian gardens and encourage picnicking. The merlot here
is very much worth a try (and the $1 they charge to sample
it). Despite the crowds you might encounter on a weekend
of wine tasting, it is likely that you will find both the husband
and wife owners behind the tasting bar with their sleeves
rolled up and a smile on their face.
Hint: Sign up to help them harvest. Gray Ghost only uses a volunteer
picking force and make a fun weekend of the event. Get on the
sign up sheet, they only use about a quarter of all those offering
to work hard, eat well and drink lots of wine.
Tasting Fee: None, except for special wines that are $1 a taste.
Tasting Room hours: Fri., Sat., Sun., and holiday Mondays 11:00am
to 5:00pm (weekdays by appointment)
14706 Lee Highway, Amissville, VA (540) 937-4869
 The surroundings are well represented as an oasis from the
stress of daily life. Either sit at their bar for some red
wine tasting in the large tasting room, or sit on one of
the several levels of deck to try the friendly white wines
or highly-acclaimed sparkling wines. Oasis is handicapped
accessible, and encourages large groups with reservations.
Tasting Fee: $5 includes a souvenir glass; $10 or $15 for wine
or sparkling tastings; $18 for all the tastings combined.
Tasting Room hours: Open daily, 10:00am to 5:00pm; 6:00pm on
weekends
14141 Hume Road, Hume, VA (540) 635-7627
Rappahannock Cellars:
 You will find several interesting wine grape varieties here,
including the local Norton grape. Rappahannock also produces
seyval blanc, chardonnay, claret, vidal blanc, solera, noblesse
blanc, meritage, and viognier. Rappahannock encourages repeat
visitors and making friends – once you pay the initial tasting
fee, your subsequent visits are free.
Tasting Fee: $4 with souvenir glass
Tasting Room hours: Open daily, 11:30am to 5:00pm; 6:00pm on
Sat.
14437 Hume Road, Huntly, VA (540) 635-9398
Other wineries on the Blue Ridge WineWay:
Mediterranean Cellars
8295 Falcon Glen Road, Warrenton, VA
(540) 428-1984
Pearmund Cellars
6190 Georgetown Road, Broad Run, VA
(540) 347-3475
Piedmont Vineyards and Winery
2546D Halfway Road, Middleburg, VA
(540) 687-5528
Veramar Vineyard
905 Quarry Road, Berryville, VA
(540) 955-5510 |
