Must visit places for wine tasting in Shenandoah Valley
If you are lucky enough to visit the Shenandoah Valley area, there are so many great options for wine tasting or a great wine experience. I’ve created a list of four vineyards that I previously visited, that I enjoyed.
CrossKeyes Vineyards
CrossKeyes was on my “must-visit” winery list for a few years before I ventured out to the Shenandoah Valley Region, which is a 2-hour drive from Northern, VA. The drive to this region, was so beautiful as the highway offers scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians.
The property is just a short drive from I-81. As I approached the 125-acre estate, I was in awe. It has a very “grand” feel with a beautiful gated entry – which I loved. There is something about a gated entrance that screams: “you have arrived dahling,…welcome!” The Tuscan-style venue is also really pretty with amazing views of the mountains.
I went on a Friday afternoon, and it was fairly busy. The tasting bar was packed, so I decided to purchase a wine flight and a cheeseboard. I enjoyed the wines, but the cheeseboard was supposed to be for two and I didn’t think it was enough food. Either that, or I was really hungry. I found out at a later point that they also have a bistro which I will try next time, especially since I know now that a cheese plate made for 2 people isn’t enough for me. They also offer a Sunday brunch.
Muse Vineyards
It was a bit of a drive to get to Muse Vineyards. It’s not far off of the highway, but the road is pretty narrow and steep, and you have to cross a bridge as well. I suffer from anxiety, so this kind of drive makes me a bit anxious, especially when I am alone.
Muse is a bit smaller than I thought it would be, but I think that is part of its charm. The staff was warm and friendly upon arrival – which I liked. There were lots of families there with their kids and dogs. It felt like a “neighborhood” winery, as the staff seemed to know most of the people by name.
The venue is very modern and the tasting room was well lit but very open and inviting. It was a bit windy outside, so I appreciated the small fire that was lit in their fireplace. It felt very cozy. I was starving when I arrived, so I ordered the red pepper gouda soup which was served with a grilled cheese sandwich and an apple. I asked one of the staff members which wine paired best with it, and she didn’t know. She suggested the rose – which I purchased – but that probably wasn’t the best pairing.
When the wind calmed down, I sat outside on the patio, which isn’t covered and overlooked the vineyard. While the views aren’t as pretty as some of the other vineyards in this area, the grounds were still very nice. I enjoyed the laid-back and family-friendly vibe of this winery.
White Oak Lavender Farm and Purple Wolf Vineyard
White Oak Lavender Farm and Purple Farm Vineyard was my favorite stop during my trip. There is nothing like smelling the scent of lavender, once you park your vehicle and enter the farm. It is so nice to relax, have a sip of wine, while surrounded by lavender. There is plenty of room to sit indoors and outdoors. I sat outdoors so that I could watch the white ponies gallop around the farm.
While the wine itself is just okay, this is one of the places you visit just for the ambiance, views of the farmland and mountains, and of course, aromatherapy.
If nothing else, you have to try the lavender blueberry ice cream and purchase lavender products from the boutique. It is pricey – but worth it!
Bluestone Vineyard
Bluestone was the last stop during my visit, and it was perfect. It’s located in Bridgewater, VA and similar to the other wineries, it’s surrounded by mountains, cow pastures and cornfields. The difference with Bluestone is that it sits on top of a hill, so the views here are breathtaking!
I arrived just in time to watch the sunset with a glass of wine. It was gorgeous! It was a bit chilly at night, but there were multiple fire pits on the patio, which provided just enough warmth. After I watched the sunset, I decided to go to the tasting room, which was nice.
The service in the tasting room was great! The staff were attentive and knowledgeable about the wine. There were multiple tasting options are available and so I did the Reserve Reds. The reds were well-aged, they were all either 2013 or 2014 vintages – which I enjoyed!
If you are into sweet wines, they are only one of a few wineries that make Moscato. For all of my sweet wine drinkers, you should give them a try!
