Virginia Wine Festivals

Each year the Commonwealth of Virginia deems October “Virginia Wine Month”.  Thousands of people from all over the world descend upon the state to partake in a variety of local wines, culture and festivities. What are some of the more popular “Virginia Wine Month” celebrations?

Northern Neck Seafood Extravaganza. Ingleside Vineyards is located in Oak Grove, Virginia. Near the Chesapeake Bay, Ingleside is also one of the oldest wineries found in Virginia. Visitors experiencing the Northern Neck Seafood Extravaganza not only get to partake in winery tours and wine tasting but also get to dine on fresh, local seafood.

Virginia Garlic Festival. The annual Garlic Festival has become one of Virginia’s most popular attractions. Travelers visiting the Rebec Vineyards in Amherst, Virginia during the second weekend of October can take part in local garlic cook-offs, arts and crafts as well as wine tasting.

Harvest Festival. The Rockbridge Vineyard is located in Raphine, Virginia.  One of the vineyard’s most popular events is the Harvest Festival. The festival offers a variety of activities for the entire family including wine tasting, grape stomping, live music and hayrides.

All Things Olive. For a touch of Tuscany, a trip to the Villa Appalaccia Winery in Floyd, Virginia is in order. Nestled off of the picturesque Blue Ridge Parkway, the Villa Appalaccia’s All Things Olive festivities include a vast variety of olives that can be sampled as well as olive oil and pasta for good measure.

Fall Wine Oktoberfest. To experience the natural beauty and fall colors of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a person should make plans to visit the AmRhein Wine Cellars in Bent Mountain, Virginia during their Fall Wine Oktoberfest.

Festivities include the sampling of some of the vineyard’s famous red wines as well as authentic German cuisine and traditional barrel rolling.

Norton Festival. Chrysalis Vineyards in Middleburg, Virginia is famous for its brand of Norton wines. A person planning to visit the vineyard during the Norton Festival can expect to taste a variety of their Norton blends as well as their Locksley Reserve. The festival also offers a number of activities including live music.

Bavarian Days. Each October the North Mountain Vineyards in Maurertown, Virginia celebrates Bavarian Days. Visitors to the vineyard, nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, can taste local wines as well as dine on German cheeses.

Blues Festival. What is wine without song? Travelers to the Mountain Cove Vineyards in Lovingston, Virginia will not only have live blues entertainment but will have the opportunity to sample local wines.

Considered to be one of the oldest vineyards in Virginia, the Mountain Cove Vineyards also offer tours as well as boasting nearby hiking and biking trails.

Autumn Explosion and Barrel Tasting. Not only do visitors to the Barboursville Vineyards get to sample locally made wine but they also have the opportunity to purchase older and rare vintages. The Barboursville, Virginia winery also offers hayrides and music.

Monticello Wine Trail Festival. Of all of America’s founding fathers, probably none had a greater appreciation for wine than Thomas Jefferson. This is probably why the “Wine Capital of Virginia” is located near his home at Monticello, near Charlottesville, Virginia. Over twenty-one wineries in the area make up the largest concentration of vineyards in the Commonwealth.

The festival, located at the Boar’s Head Inn in Charlottesville, offers families a wide array of music, food, local arts and crafts as well as a variety of wines from the Monticello Viticultural Area Wineries.

-Tammy Cordani

Tammy Cordani-If you enjoy traveling then look no further.  Besides being a freelance writer, I love traveling and learning about the different cultures that cover the globe.  I look forward to bringing lots of entertaining information and stories on the variety of traditions, festivals and fairs found in different countries.