October is Virginia Wine Month. What better way to celebrate than visiting Virginia's newest winery? Effingham Manor Winery, located in Nokesville (Northern Virginia), had been on my radar long before their opening. Their wines were available for purchase--and were winning awards--before their tasting room and historic manor were open to the public. As tempted as I was to give their vinos a try, I was determined to wait for their opening to gain the full experience. Definitely worth the ...
Meritage
The Winery at Bull Run – Taste & Tour
Did you ever think that if Grant and Lee could have sat down and shared a nice bottle of Cabernet Franc by a roaring fire that the Civil War might have wrapped much sooner? Okay, maybe not. They would've enjoyed that wine, though. Yet it's a nice alternate reality to play out--especially if you use the Winery at Bull Run as the backdrop. One of the closest wineries to downtown Washington--only 28 miles from the White House!--you can experience a piece of history and cap it (or cork it) with a ...
Paradise Springs Winery – Taste & Tour
If you've ever visited Fairfax County in Virginia, what might stick in your mind is the sprawling Tysons skyline or the unbearable traffic you suffered circumnavigating the west side of Washington. Starting right now what you should remember is this: Paradise Springs Winery. Fairfax County's first (and as far as I can tell, only) winery. And while it's the closest winery to the District, proximity should not be the reason you visit. Read on to find out why. Paradise Springs Winery is ...
Breaux Vineyards – Taste & Tour
In the far northern corner of Virginia, just a few miles from both Maryland and West Virginia, resides one of Virginia's most glorious winemaking regions. Loudoun County boasts dozens of wonderful wineries. And if they were laid across the rolling hills like some spectacular constellation, Breaux Vineyards could arguably be its Polaris. As grand as it is delightful, Breaux understands not only winemaking, but the overall wine experience. Located in one of Virginia's most densely populated ...
