10 Top Virginia Wineries that are a Day Trip from Washington, D.C.

Virginia is not only the birthplace of American wine, but it is also one of the most beautiful states to take a road trip through on a nice day. From the seaside to the mountains, it seems like Virginia truly has it all. Luckily for those living the city life in Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas, the option exists for you to do just that and take a short drive away from the metropolitan stress to relax and experience some of the country’s most historical wine country.

Like other regions, Virginia has several viticultural areas around the state, but the wineries in Northern Virginia offer the quickest option for tasting if you are based out of the DC area. Unlike some regions out west, Virginia wineries usually offer very modest tasting fees and a friendly, accessible atmosphere year-round. Whether you live there or are just visiting, these wineries near Washington DC make for the perfect day trip.

We also highly recommend taking a completely customizable, privately guided day trip to Virginia’s wine country with Black Hawk Sedans, where you’ll be picked up and returned to your hotel the DC area.

RELATED: Beautiful Hotels To Stay At While in Washington DC

Clifton Virginia Wineries

Paradise Springs Winery

13219 Yates Ford Rd, Clifton, VA 20124

About 45 minutes from the National Mall.

If there’s light traffic, you can make it to the Paradise Springs tasting bar from DC in less than an hour. This is an extremely high-quality winery offering some of the most classic expressions of Virginia wine in a rustic-chic tasting barn. Paradise Springs has grown up significantly since it opened its doors less than 10 years ago. Now, the first bi-coastal winery in the U.S. with a tasting room and operations in Santa Barbara, CA, Paradise Springs is a bit of a Virginia legend of a winery.

From live music to lots of fun community events happening on the property, check the Paradise Springs website and social media to find out what activities are on the calendar for your visit. Don’t forget to taste through some of the best examples of Virginia’s Norton grape, Chenin Blanc, Sommet Blanc, Tannat, and the dark PVT label. Also, ask about how you can get your hands on some “Swagger” Port-style wine. If you’re a college sports fan, you’ll appreciate the story behind the name.

Hume Virginia Wineries

Desert Rose Ranch & Winery

13726 Hume Rd, Hume, VA 22639

Travel Time from DC: About 1 hour and 15 minutes from the National Mall.

Desert Rose Ranch and Winery is a pleasant little western-themed outpost farther out in Hume, Virginia. A quaint tasting room is decorated with foreign currency and tokens from the owner’s many travels abroad. Does anything feel clandestine to you? If it does, you may be onto something. While visiting and tasting some of the award-winning wine, ask for the story about how the foreign coins ended up under your tasting glass. You may be shocked and impressed to hear what career winemaker and owner, Bob Claymier, had prior to becoming one of Virginia’s award-wining winemakers at Desert Rose.

Philip Carter Winery

4366 Stillhouse Rd, Hume, VA 22639

Travel Time from DC: About 1 hour 15 minutes from the National Mall.

Philip Carter’s history of winemaking dates all the way back to the beginning of international recognition of winemaking in Virginia in the late 18th century. In 1762, Charles Carter of the Carter family, which was a key family in setting up trade and commerce in the colonies, sent several bottles of his wine made in Virginia to the agriculture committee for the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufacture, and Commerce in London. The society was very impressed with the product and gave Carter a gold medal as the first person to make a “spirited attempt towards the accomplishment of their views, respecting wine in America.” The following year, the Carter family was awarded recognition by the Governor of the Colony of Virginia for being the first family to successfully grow European vines in Virginia.

Fast forward to the early 2000s, and Philip Carter Strother, who is a direct descendant of the colonial Carter family, worked hard to protect the Virginia wine industry through the passage of the Virginia Farm Winery Zoning Act before establishing his own winery in 2008.

It’s safe to say that by tasting at Philip Carter, you are truly tasting a piece of American winemaking history! Thanks to this family, American winemaking made its appearance on an International scale over 250 years ago.

Rappahannock Cellars

14437 Co Rd 635, Huntly, VA 22640

Travel Time from DC: About 1 hour 30 minutes from the National Mall

Rappahannock Cellars is another friendly, family-owned winery in the beautiful Virginia foothills. The Delmare family began their winemaking venture in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California, but soon decided that Virginia Wine Country would be their home.

Rappahannock practices many sustainable techniques in their vineyard located in the historic Glenway Farm (circa 1804). The family has worked hard to find the grapes that grow the best in their piece of Virginia terroir, and feature single varietals such as Cabernet Franc, Seyval Blanc, Chardonnay, and Viognier, as well as blends of these grapes. For only $10, you can do a premium tasting at Rappahannock Cellars and learn about Virginia wine from the experienced tasting room staff.

Purcellville Virginia Wineries

Breaux Vineyards

36888 Breaux Vineyards Ln, Purcellville, VA 20132

Travel Time from DC: About 1 hour 30 minutes from the National Mall.

Breaux Vineyards is definitely an experience to be had in Virginia Wine Country! The views are incredible, and Breaux offers visitors the choice to taste inside its beautiful tasting room or sit outside and truly admire the stunning landscape. The Breaux estate sits on 400+ acres and is home to many wine-related events and tastings. Come for a taste at the Cajun-themed winery and stay for the fun. Between weddings, live music, and festive wine events, there’s always something going on at Breaux, which makes it an exciting place to fall in love with Virginia wine.

Delaplane Virginia Wineries

RdV Vineyards

2550 Delaplane Grade Rd, Delaplane, VA 20144

Travel Time from DC: About 1 hour 15 minutes from the National Mall.

RdV Vineyards has really made a name for itself as a top producer of Virginia wine. In fact, wine critics, Robert Parker, Jr., James Suckling, and Jancis Robinson have all spoken very highly of wines made by winemaker, Rutger de Vink. The mission at RdV is to make great American wine, and that is just what they are doing on a hilltop in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Under the direction of Estate Director, Jared Slipp, who is one of the world’s few Master Sommeliers, the RdV team has crafted some of the finest wine coming out of Virginia today. An in-depth tour and tasting, including a locally sourced cheese and charcuterie board, will run $65 per person, but is worth it for the up-close look at the talent that goes into creating some of the internationally recognized top wines produced in Virginia.

Barrel Oak Winery

3623 Grove Ln, Delaplane, VA 20144

Travel Time from DC: About 1 hour from the National Mall.

Perhaps some of the friendliest wine-loving locals can be found at Barrel Oak Winery on the weekends. Indoor and outdoor seating and a dog-friendly environment mean that Barrel Oak can be a fun and easy-going winery to visit. One look at Barrel Oak’s website, and you know you’re in for an animal-lover’s treat.

Stop by to taste the wines, bring a picnic, and enjoy the positive vibes! Look for fun events happening on-site almost every weekend.

Broad Run Virginia Wineries

Pearmund Cellars

6190 Georgetown Road, Broad Run, VA 20137

Travel Time from DC: About 1 hour 15 minutes from the National Mall.

No Northern Virginia winery list would be complete without mentioning Pearmund Cellars, a family-owned winery that has been voted as the People’s Choice “Virginia’s Favorite Winery” for four years in Virginia Wine Lovers Magazine. Pearmund has won many awards for its wines in both east and west coast competitions, making it a very popular Virginia Wine Country destination.

For only $10, you can do a basic tasting at the indoor tasting bar, which is part of the best tasting room as voted by Virginia Wine Lovers. While visiting, you can also choose to do a full experience, which includes a food & wine tasting in the winery’s barrel room for only $50 per person, or there are several tour options in between. Stop by to taste an award-winning Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, or one of the other Pearmund wines. You won’t find any live music here, so sit back, relax, and simply enjoy the wine.

Markham Virginia Wineries

Naked Mountain Winery & Vineyards

2747 Leeds Manor Rd, Markham, VA 22643

Travel Time from DC: About 1 hour 15 minutes from the National Mall.

A beautiful setting awaits at Naked Mountain Winery, though despite the name, clothing is not optional. Bob and Phoebe Harper planted the first vines on the property in 1976 and named the winery after the mountain where it’s located, Naked Mountain. After pioneering the modern-day Virginia wine industry, Bob & Phoebe sold the winery to Randy and Meagan Morgan in 2010, and the couple still owns the winery where Randy is the Chief winemaker today.

Wines here have gained prominence in the White House as Naked Mountain’s Chardonnay has been served to two sitting Presidents. You’ll really enjoy the welcoming ambiance in the tasting room as well as on the deck outside, where you can bring your well-trained dog and occasionally enjoy some live music.

Bluemont Virginia Wineries

Bluemont Vineyard

18755 Foggy Bottom Rd, Bluemont, VA 20135

Travel Time from DC: About 1 hour 15 minutes from the National Mall.

If you’re into wine tasting for the mountain views, then Bluemont is a must-see. Situated on the first ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Bluemont Vineyard has some of the best views in Northern Virginia Wine Country. Once you are there, the winery offers a guided tasting for visitors, as well as a full menu of farm-to-table cuisine on site.

If you care to stay the night, there are several Airbnb cottages throughout the 400-acre farm available to rent. Through the winery’s “Elevated Experiences,” you can choose to take a curated winery tour and tasting, enjoy a chef’s table experience, or even schedule your marriage proposal in this spectacular setting.  For those who want to experience the sophistication of Virginia Wine Country, Bluemont Vineyard is the perfect place to visit.

Pin This Virginia Winery Guide for Later on Pinterest

More Ways To Explore Virginia’s Wine Country

Learn All About The Virginia Wine Region • Rich History, Unique Experiences & Natural Beauty

---

You are reading “Best Wineries To Visit Near the DC Area” Back To Top

wineries near me, winery day trips from Washington, D.C., list of wineries near DC: top travel destinations to visit in the US this year

If you enjoyed this guide, make sure you register to become a Winetraveler for free! You’ll get access to all of our content and interact with other Winetravelers and for travel inspiration around the world. Be sure to follow along with us on Twitter and Instagram as we continue to feature more exciting destinations.