WINERIES

Charlottesville Daily Progress
Published: September 6, 2007

Afton Mountain Vineyards: This Nelson County vineyard produces wine from 12 acres near the top of Afton Mountain. The winery on Route 631 is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (except Tuesdays) from March through October and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November and December; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Monday during January and February. Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Picnic facilities available. (540) 456-8667; www.aftonmountainvineyards.com.

Autumn Hill Vineyards/Blue Ridge Winery: On At 301 River Drive in Stanardsville, the 13-acre vineyard overlooks the Blue Ridge Mountains and a nearby river. The winery is rarely open to the public, but does post dates on its Web site for public occasions. 985-6100; www.autumnhillwine.com.

Barboursville Vineyards: This Orange County winery produces about 15 wines from 130 acres of European grapes. The estate was the plantation of former Gov. James Barbour, whose mansion was designed by Thomas Jefferson. The building burned in 1884 and its ruins are still standing. The tasting room is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tastings, which include a souvenir glass, are $4. Palladio Restaurant features northern Italian cuisine, serves lunch Wednesday through Sunday and dinner Friday and Saturday. (540) 832-3824 or make dinner reservations at (540) 832-7848; www.barboursvillewine.com.

Blenheim Vineyards: Tours and tastings at this Charlottesville winery are by appointment only. 293-5366; www.blenheimvineyards.com.

Burnley Vineyards and Daniel Cellars: This Albemarle vineyard and winery produces wines from 32 acres of grapes near Barboursville. A guesthouse offers accommodations by the night or by the week. Facilities include tasting and banquet room, deck and picnic areas. The tasting room is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from April through December and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Monday from January through March. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. Tours arranged by appointment. Tasting fees are $2, which can be applied toward purchases, and tours are $2. (540) 832-2828; www.burnleywines.com.

Cardinal Point Vineyard and Winery: This well-established vineyard in Afton completed its winery in 2002. Open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. by appointment) and 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. and year-round; closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Tours and tastings are free. (540) 456-8400; www.cardinalpointwinery.com.

Cooper Vineyards: The tasting room is inside the winery at this small farm vineyard located approximately 30 minutes from Charlottesville in Louisa County. It produces its wines in small lots from 18 acres of vines. Tastings are offered from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily April through December; on Saturday and Sunday from January through March; and at other times by appointment. Picnics and buses are welcome. (540) 894-5253; www.coopervineyards.com.

DelFosse Vineyards and Winery: This 20-acre vineyard is 30 minutes south of Charlottesville in Faber, and offers tasting packages from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. It also features wine dinners on Saturday evenings, and offers an entertainment plaza for weddings and concerts. 263-6100; www.delfossewine.com.

First Colony Winery: This southern Albemarle winery, owned by a descendant of Edmund Randolph, who was George Washington's attorney general, enjoyed a successful first vintage in 2001. Indoor and outdoor seating is available for tastings and picnics, with room for groups and private parties. It is open for free tastings from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. 979-7105; www.firstcolonywinery.com.

Green Springs Winery at Gioiosa Vineyards: Located on a historic Green Springs farm, this three-acre vineyard opened in 2005. The tasting room is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Space available to rent for parties and weddings. Near Zion Crossroads in Louisa County. (540) 967-9463; www.greenspringswinery.com.

Grayhaven Winery: Located midway between Richmond and Charlottesville in Gum Spring, this 50-acre farm and vineyard offers free tastings from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Several tasting packages are available, including options to keep the souvenir wine glass or pair the wine with cheese and other nibbles. For extended summer hours, check the Web site. (804) 556-3917; www.grayhavenwinery.com.

Hill Top Berry Farm and Winery: Family-owned farm and winery in Nellysford produces fruit and specialty wines that are "true to the fruit," made from produce on a pick-your-own berry farm. Visitors can pick their own blackberries in season. The winery also produces historical ciders and meads of Roman, Anglo-Saxon and Viking traditions. Regular hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday year round. During picking season (mid-July through mid-August open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) open hours are extended. Closed Monday and Tuesday, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. 361-1266; www.hilltopberrywine.com.

Horton Cellars Winery: This 100-acre vineyard 8.5 miles east of Ruckersville in Orange County produces more than 40 wines. Free tastings are offered 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and tours may be arranged. 832-7440; www.hvwine.com.

Jefferson Vineyards: One of Albemarle's oldest wineries is on Route 53 between Monticello and Ash Lawn-Highland - where Thomas Jefferson and his friend, Filippo Mazzei, an Italian viticulturist, once experimented with wine growing. The winery, tasting room and gift shop are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. A deck is available for relaxing among mountain views or enjoying picnic lunches purchased at nearby Brix Marketplace. Tours are offered at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. based on staff availability. Tastings are $5 per person and include a souvenir glass. Groups of 10 or more should call ahead. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. 977-3042; www.jeffersonvineyards.com.

Keswick Vineyards: This winery at 1575 Keswick Winery Drive in Keswick works with winemaker/general manager Stephen Barnard to produce its wines, which are available for tastings daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A $5 tasting includes five wines from a list of seven, an $8 tasting includes eight wines from a list of 11 and the tasting fee is waived if guests decide to purchase three bottles of wine. A souvenir wine glass is included with each tasting. Closed on major holidays. 244-3341; www.keswickvineyards.com.

King Family Vineyards: Scenic Roseland Farm in Crozet is home to this family-owned and operated vineyard and winery, offering approximately eight wines produced from 30 acres of vines. Indoor and outdoor seating is available for groups and private parties. The tasting room and gift shop is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Complimentary tours and tastings are offered. 823-7800; www.kingfamilyvineyards.com.

Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard: Established near the Kluge estate and close by Ash Lawn-Highland and Monticello, the winery offers tastings through the Kluge Estate Farm Shop. The shop features agricultural, horticultural and natural food items, many produced on the farm. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 977-3895 or 984-4855; www.klugeestate.com.

Mountain Cove Vineyards and Winegarden: The oldest continuously operated winery in the state, this 65-acre farm includes eight acres of vines in Nelson County. Located on Route 651 or Route 718 off U.S. 29 near Lovingston, the winery produces seven wines and offers picnic areas, a performance pavilion and nearby hiking and biking trails. It is open for tours and tastings from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday from March through October and on federal holidays. In November and December, the vineyards are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Open in January and February by appointment. Tastings are $3 each, including glass, for groups of 15 or more, and free otherwise. 263-5392; www.mountaincovevineyards.com.

Oakencroft Vineyard and Winery: This 15-acre vineyard off Garth Road west of Charlottesville produces 15 to 20 wines, depending on the year, and is the first of Albemarle's modern wineries. The winery is open for tours and tastings 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily April through December and weekends in January, February and March and by special request for groups. Facilities are available for private parties after normal winery hours. Tasting fee is $3 to keep the glass, $1 without the stemware. The vineyard also features seven wine festivals throughout the year. 296-4188; www.oakencroft.com.

Prince Michel of Virginia: The family-owned and operated winery on U.S. 29, approximately eight miles south of Culpeper produces approximately 22 wines and is one of Virginia's largest and oldest vineyards. Facilities include a tasting room and extensive gift shop. Self-guided tours of the warehouse portion of the winery and tasting room hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Wine tastings and tours are free. (540) 547-3707 or (800) 800-WINE; www.princemichel.com.

Stone Mountain Vineyards: Perched approximately 1,700 feet above the rest of Greene County in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Stone Mountain conducted its first pressing in 1998. A picnic area and guesthouse are available. The winery is open for tours and tastings from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holiday Mondays. Tours include a visit to the wine cave. The winery will close for the season Dec. 16 and reopen in March. 990-9463; www.stonemountainvineyards.com.

Sugarleaf Vineyards: Nestled on a private estate in North Garden, Sugarleaf opened in the summer of 2007. Tastings and tours are by appointment only, and the property is available for parties, weddings and special events. 984-4272. www.sugarleafvineyards.com.

Veritas Vineyards and Winery: This Nelson County winery offers about 10 wines from 25 acres of vines at Saddleback Farm, off Route 6 in the Rockfish Valley. Free tours and tastings are offered 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. (540) 456-8000; www.veritaswines.com.

White Hall Vineyards: This 45-acre winery on Sugar Ridge Road near White Hall produces about 18 wines. The winery is open for complimentary tours and tastings from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sunday. Now open year round, but closed on major holidays. 823-8615; www.whitehallvineyards.com.

Wintergreen Winery: On Route 664 in Nellysford, off Route 151, the winery sits near the base of Wintergreen in the Rockfish Valley. Complimentary tours and tastings are available year-round and gifts and light picnic fare may be purchased at the gift shop. Groups of 10 or more should call ahead for rates and reservations. The tasting room and gift shop are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from April through October, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November through April, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. 361-2519; www.wintergreenwinery.com.