My 6 Favorite Wineries in Virginia to Visit in 2026
I’ll be honest with you: it took me a long time to come around to Virginia wine. Every time I tried a VA wine early on, I struck out. It wasn’t good, or it wasn’t what I expected, and after a few too many misses, I basically wrote off Virginia wine altogether. For a while, I just avoided it.
But here’s the thing about living in Virginia wine country — the wineries themselves are just too beautiful to skip. Rolling hills, mountain views, gorgeous outdoor spaces to relax in… it’s the kind of scenery that makes you want to be outside with a glass in hand, even if you’re not totally sold on what’s in the glass yet. So I started trying again, winery by winery, wine by wine. And eventually, I found the ones that completely changed my mind about Virginia wine.
These are my six favorite Virginia wineries so far, all within driving distance of Charlottesville, ranked from my favorite down. I still have a Northern Virginia wineries trip on my list someday — but for now, these are the ones I keep coming back to.
1. King Family Vineyards & Winery
King Family Vineyards & Winery is my number one favorite winery in the area. The wine is good, especially their rosé, but what sets this place apart is the atmosphere. From May through October, Roseland Polo hosts polo matches right on the property. It’s so fun to watch these matches while you picnic on the sidelines.
There are really good food trucks and a golf cart filled with wine drives around the perimeter of the polo field, so you don’t have to miss a moment of the match when you need another bottle for you and your friends. It’s a great activity for couples, friend groups and especially families – there are kids playing all the time in the ample space around the farm.
On top of the polo matches themselves, I’ve actually taken a polo lesson here (with another one planned soon!). You can pair a polo lesson with a wine tasting for a really fun activity that’s great solo or with friends.
It’s a genuinely unique experience that blends wine tourism with equestrian tourism, two things I happen to love, and I haven’t found anywhere else in Virginia that pulls it off quite like this.
Pro Tip: If you’re visiting during polo season (May–October), check the match schedule before you go. Watching a match while sipping the Crosé is the best version of this winery, but polo matches are weather-dependent, so it’s a good idea to check their Instagram just in case.
2. Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards takes the top spot for variety and food. I’ve tried a lot of Virginia wines at this point, and Pippin Hill has the best range of anything I’ve had so far. The food matches that quality, and the building itself is gorgeous, the kind of place that photographs as good as it tastes. Service has always been impeccable on my visits.
It’s also one of the most popular vineyards in the area, so a reservation is a must. And because it’s a hugely popular wedding venue, it’s worth double-checking that the date you want isn’t already booked for a private event before you plan your visit.
3. Blenheim Vineyards
Blenheim Vineyards has some of the best mountain views of any winery on this list, and plenty of ways to enjoy them. You can picnic outside, sit under the covered tent, or head indoors, depending on the weather and your mood. It has a laid-back, family-friendly vibe, and the staff are consistently some of the nicest I’ve encountered at any winery in the state.
I’ve tried nearly every wine on their list at this point, and I’ve enjoyed all of them. Plus, they have fun art on the wine labels!
4. Barboursville Vineyards
I’ve only been to Barboursville Vineyards once, but it left an impression. I tried a large variety of their wines, and nearly all of them were excellent. The atmosphere here feels more luxurious and sophisticated than most other Virginia wineries I’ve visited, and the service was top-tier from start to finish.
I’d consider the vibe here to be more polished, “adulty/grown-up”, high-end rather than a family atmosphere, at least in comparison to some of the other wineries I’ve been to where there are almost always children playing. We got a bit more dressed up for this winery (which I love to do), as it’s a more formal atmosphere than some other vineyards on this list.
This is a winery I’m planning to return to, ideally to try their on-site Palladio Restaurant and maybe even stay overnight at the inn on the estate. If the full experience lives up to what I’ve heard, I wouldn’t be surprised if Barboursville moves up to the number two or three spot on this list.
Pro Tip: Barboursville has an on-site inn, so if you want to make it a full getaway rather than a day trip, look into staying on the estate.
5. Veritas
Veritas is another beautiful property with a solid wine selection. It’s one of the more popular wineries in the area, but I’ve never had trouble finding seating, even on busy days. We like to bring games with us when we come here – a small, travel size game to play while we relax with our wine.
I will say that the food here didn’t blow me away, but it was still solid, so I would eat here again. I think we got sandwiches, which were totally fine and did the trick. The service was helpful throughout our visit, and if you want to sit on the lovely covered porch, be sure to make a reservation!
6. Mount Ida Reserve
Mount Ida Reserve rounds out my list. It’s a beautiful property with excellent food, and we’ve specifically had brunch here, which I’d recommend without hesitation. The portions are generous, and the menu was excellent. I’ve only had brunch here, so I need to return for lunch or dinner sometime to review those meals.
Since I was here for brunch, I went light on the wine here – I had a sparkling rosé that I really, really liked and it complemented my french toast very well. Since that was the only wine I tried here at the time, I’d like to return to try more and see how they compare.
So, if I only tried one wine here, why is Mount Ida Reserve on my top 6 list? Other than the fabulous food, the atmosphere here is tough to top. The building is spacious, comfortable and beautiful and the outdoor gardens that overlook the mountains are STUNNING. I went in the summer, but want to return in autumn because I think the views will be even more epic with the changing leaves. Also, they have an outdoor fireplace that looks cozy to sit by while sipping wine.
What’s Next: Northern Virginia Wineries
This list covers my favorites within driving distance of Charlottesville, but Virginia’s wine country stretches well beyond this area. I’m planning a Northern Virginia wineries trip at some point to see how those vineyards compare, so stay tuned for another VA wineries list covering NOVA.
In the meantime, if you’re newer to Virginia wine and had an experience like mine early on, don’t give up on it. Start with a few of these, and I think you’ll come around too.
For more activities in Charlottesville, check out other Lily Travel articles and blog posts where I write about a lot of local finds!
