Before I end my four blog tribute to all that Loudoun County has to offer, it is only appropriate to elaborate more on a subject mentioned in an earlier post on this area. And that is none other than Loudoun County’s expansive wineries and breweries. My taste in wine has certainly grown over the years, from the early days of drinking the cheap stuff that comes in a box, to my absolute favorite, an American oaked chardonnay. I love what the aging in an oak barrel does to a bottle of wine, whether we are talking chardonnay or a red wine. Aging in an oak barrel imparts flavors from the wood that you just can’t get when aged in a stainless steel tank. Oak aging will often cause a wine to have vanilla notes, especially so for red wine, and for chardonnay will give it a “buttery” tasting finish. It is usually a more complex wine that you just can’t get from stainless steel, giving the wine a multi-dimensional experience – for example, you may first notice fruit (also referred to as “jamminess”), then a hint of vanilla, followed by a subtle hint of cocoa on the finish. I like my wines to be interesting, so my tastebuds tend to gravitate to that complex taste. I’m not sure I would refer to myself as a wine snob, but I guess my taste has evolved over the years to appreciate a fine bottle of wine. Although my go to bottle is the chardonnay I described above, I also appreciate an Old Vine Zinfandel for its jammy flavor, velvety texture, vanilla notes, and smooth finish. Cabernet Sauvignon would be another tried and true varietal for me.
That being said, Northern Virginia has a wine trail that consists of about 50 wineries. Many of these wineries offer the high quality wines I mentioned above and some even rival the quality you would find in Napa, California. Comparing and contrasting the two regions, you will find that Napa wineries tend to use predominantly French oak for their aging, where adjacent Sonoma Valley is more likely to use American oak. Northern Virginia wineries may offer some of each. The wineries in Napa tend to be geographically close to one another, in that you drive out of one winery and into the parking lot of another, sometimes as close as right next door. As for the wineries in Northern Virginia, you usually have to drive several miles between one to the next, however the countryside with its rolling hills and scenery is so stunning, you won’t mind, although an Uber or designated driver is most ideal. The wineries in Napa often have exquisite grounds and tasting rooms. The wineries of Northern Virginia, in some cases, offer comparable elaborate buildings overlooking massive vineyards. On NOVA’s wine trail, you will find many of the wineries offer live music in their tasting rooms throughout the year. Some offer food trucks, others allow you to bring food onsite. It is best to refer to their website to check what each has to offer, before you venture out.
During my 8 month stay in Northern Virginia’s wine country, I literally visited at least half of those 50 wineries and was able to bring home from that assignment several hand selected bottles. My taste in wine is extremely varied, but I tend to gravitate to what is unique, like the Petit Manseng that I mentioned in an earlier post, (favorite was at Cana Winery), Tannat, a red wine which had a smooth finish with strong vanilla notes (I’m a sucker for that vanilla note). The Tannat wine that I found the most palate pleasing was at Fabbioli Cellars. Fabbioli has firepits out back and an upstairs area for when sitting outside is not ideal. When you walk inside, you will notice this beautiful vine design above your head in the tasting room. Bogati Winery offers a white wine in a blue bottle, called Tango Blu. This wine I found to have an interesting and unique flavor to other white wines. When it comes to whites, I am not interested in a boring Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc – unless the latter is from New Zealand, with its characteristic grapefruit notes. But there was something about Tango Blu that I found to be interesting and very approachable. A sweeter wine by itself can be too sweet, but when you pair it with spicy asian food, it tones down the heat of the food and elevates the flavor of the wine. A very sweet or dessert wine is best enjoyed WITH dessert. In my opinion, there is a place for most wines and pairing them properly can really make it or break it, especially when you aren’t sure if you like the wine on its own. One thing is for sure, Northern Virginia wineries has something to offer for just about everyone.
In addition to the wine trail, Northern Virginia also offers a beer trail that consists of about 30 breweries. Similar to the outstanding views, live music, and outdoor scenery that you get with the wineries in this area of the country, many of the breweries in this area offer the same appeal. Whether it is a nano brewery in an old historical building with a firepit or two on its front lawn by the street in downtown Leesburg or up on a mountain overlooking the valley below, there is something for everyone. Below are a list of my most memorable wineries and breweries throughout Loudoun County and highlights of each:
Wineries:
Fabbioli Cellars – great wine, great atmosphere (both inside and out)
Stone Tower Winery – 2 adjacent locations to enjoy, however try to experience the upper location that overlooks the winery below. Gorgeous expansive outside patio, food available, beautiful grounds and tasting room.
Bleu Frog Vineyards – outside live music, shady areas under the trees, delicious wine slushies
Bluemont Vineyard – scenic overlook from a large outdoor patio, some unique white wine offerings, situated right next door to an amazing brewery (see below) and a cidery down the road
Breaux Vineyard – large Napa looking winery tasting room and gorgeous grounds with view of the expansive vineyard. Somewhat Italian style architecture and decor.
Otium Cellars – the place to go if you like dry reds – lots to choose from. Nice patio with several fire pits outside.
8 Chains North Winery – this place offers a great Rose! Live music, cozy inside space and patio space outside.
Cana Vineyards – go for the Petit Manseng (found ‘almost’ exclusively in Virginia and France)! Lots of space to sit outside at a table on the lawn or by a firepit overlooking the vineyards. Located near some pretty horse farms.
The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards – cozy place to go in the winter. Warm and inviting barn interior – good place for dry reds and even better if you catch some live music here.
Firefly Cellars – tasting room offers some delicious charcuterie platters, to go along with your wine tasting. Nice experience if you go when they offer live music out back, while enjoying the adirondack style swings out on the lawn with your favorite glass of wine.
Breweries:
Vanish Brewery – Offer an enormous tasting flight ranging from six to as many as twelve beers (you’ll want to … and should … share this)! Live music and food offerings. Huge tasting room and indoor space.
Solace Brewing Company – excellent place for high quality IPA’s!
Lost Rhino Brewery – I discovered this Ashburn, Virginia brewery located conveniently close to the W&OD rail trail while on a long bike ride. They offer a nice variety of beer and had some great berry sours at that time.
Bear Chase Brewing Company – if you are a craft beer lover, this place may not quite meet your expectations depending on the style of beer you gravitate to… however, go for the atmosphere. Whether you choose to sit on the large porch or out on the lawn overlooking the countryside, this is worth a visit for their outside space alone.
Crooked Run Brewery – in downtown Leesburg (right next to Wild Hare Cidery which is also an amazing place for unique ciders in a historical cabin atmosphere), this brewery has some innovative beers that please a variety of palates. Although I often gravitate to a hazy style IPA, I found the caramel peanut beer that was offered on draft at that time, to be insanely good! Was just sad to learn I couldn’t buy cans of it to take home.
Dirt Farm Brewery – located up on a mountain (with Bluemont Vineyard next door), this brewery offers quality beer and a gorgeous stone patio with stone firepits and a gorgeous view of the countryside below. Food trucks usually on site. This place is the full package!
Adroit Theory Brewing Company – small brewery that specializes in flavorful, fruity milkshake style sours (if you haven’t tried beer sweetened with lactose to give it a smoother, creamier tasting sour, you don’t know what you are missing….and this place has it figured out! Just don’t count the calories.)
Harvest Gap Brewery – this place and Dirt Farm are my top two! Rustic atmosphere, nice outside space with plenty of seating, huge variety of great beer, as well as wine, beer or wine slushies, both food trucks AND on-site food such as panini’s, pizza, kettle corn, ice cream flights, cider donuts, etc., some great bands on the weekends, and amazing sunsets with the mountain range in the backdrop. What is not to love?
To sum it up…if you find yourself looking for an area that offers outdoor activities, beautiful lush scenery and mountains, gorgeous sunsets, great shopping and dining, and/or just want to relax for an afternoon at one of the many wineries and breweries in this area, plan a trip to Loudoun County. I promise, if you like wine and beer as much as I do, you will really LOVE this area. There is no reason to go all the way out to the west coast when you have such beautiful wine country right here on the east coast. I loved my time here so much for all that this area has to offer, that I was very sad to leave. But unfortunately, all good things come to an end. And before you know it, I was off to my next assignment: Peoria, Illinois. Midwest, here I come…