More Than Wine

Even with all these stellar wines, a trip to this part of the South is about more than sampling vintages in a tasting room. As the region’s wineries have grown, so has the variety of experiences available for visitors. Barrel-room tastings, wine classes, blending parties, and food-and-wine festivals abound. We’ve come up with three ideal afternoons in Virginia’s wine country. Try one of these itineraries to soak up what makes this area special.

At King Family Vineyards, every Sunday through the end of September, watch a polo match on the field just outside the winery. Tailgaters sip wine and watch the regal sport in a laid-back setting.

Get a crash course in all things Jefferson with a visit to Monticello, the former President’s heralded home. Then head just 1 mile down the road for a tasting at Jefferson Vineyards, where the President tried (unsuccessfully) to make wine in the mid-1770s.

Have a late lunch at Palladio, one of the finest restaurants in Virginia. (If it’s on the menu, try the beet-and-goat cheese ravioli with lump crabmeat.) Then, take a tour of the Barboursville ruins. The Jefferson-designed house, built in 1814 and burned in 1884, stands as a tangible and strangely compelling reminder of the living history in this area.

NextPack a Picnic