As the commonwealth celebrates Virginia Wine Month, it will be helpful to know where to raise your glass. Here are some of the events coming up across Northern Virginia that will have you toasting to our very own wine country.
Virginia Governor’s Cup Winery Tour
Sept. 21, 10 a.m.
Each February, Virginia wines are put to the test. Wine professionals rank by blind tastings, and the top wineries are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. The top 12 are granted the status of being in the Governor’s Case. During this wine tour, visit two of Virginia’s top wineries form the 2019 competition: Barboursville Vineyards and Early Mountain Vineyards. The trip will depart from the East Falls Church Metro station promptly at 10 a.m. // East Falls Church Metro: 2100 N. Sycamore St., Arlington
FXBG Wine Fest XXIX
Sept. 21-22, 11 a.m.
Spend an afternoon enjoying wine tastings, live music, handcrafting artisans, specialty retailers and local food vendors at FXBG Wine Fest, enjoying views of the Rappahannock River while you sip wine and dance your way through the weekend. Designated drivers and attendees younger than 21 years old are permitted for a lesser rate. // Old Mill Park: 2201 Caroline St., Fredericksburg; $10-$30
Wicked Wine Run
Sept. 21, 5 p.m.
Wine lovers and runners rejoice, you can now take sips of wine during a 5K race (or a 1K “Wicked Tasting Walk”) at the Wicked Wine Run. Participants will sip their way through Lake Fairfax Park and celebrate finishing with even more wine, live music, food trucks and giveaways from the participating vineyards and wineries. No wine snobs are allowed, either. Bring your wicked costumes, funky hats and plan to have a good time. And obviously, all participants and spectators must be 21 years or older. // Lake Fairfax Park: 1400 Fairfax Drive, Reston; begins at $50
Harvest Festival at Potomac Point Winery
Sept. 28, 11 a.m.
The 13th annual Harvest Festival is a day full of family fun including games and entertainment, shopping vendors, festive foods, participating wineries, live music and, most importantly, grape stomping. Pack your picnic basket, raise your wine glass and enjoy the day at Potomac Point Vineyard and Winery. // Potomac Point Winery and Vineyard: 275 Decatur Road, Stafford; free
Hands-on Harvest at Walsh Family Wine
Oct. 6, 10 a.m.
Take your wine experience up a step from browsing the shelves at your local stop to actually walking through the vineyard for a day. WineStyles Tasting Station has planned an opportunity for wine lovers to visit Walsh Family Wine in Purcellville to speak with Nate Walsh and get to know his Virginia grapes, and follow up the experience with a wine tasting by Sarah Walsh and a catered lunch by Stoneybrook Farm Market. // Walsh Family Farm: 16031 Hillsboro Road, Purcellville; $50
Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour
Oct. 11-13, 6 p.m.
Celebrate the history of Virginia wine at Mount Vernon. Guests can take a tour through the mansion and cellar while learning about George Washington’s experience with making Virginia wine, as well as his successes and failures with the craft, and all can enjoy the progressive wine tasting throughout the evening. // George Washington’s Mount Vernon: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon; $42-$52
Virginia Wine Festival
Oct. 19-20, 11 a.m.
The 44th annual Virginia Wine Festival has been moved to a new location. One Loudoun in Ashburn will now welcome dozens of Virginia wineries with over 200 types of Virginia wine. The event allows guests to have unlimited wine tastings from as many wineries as one would like to try, and the opportunity to buy bottles and cases to take home. Food trucks, live music and the Virginia Oyster Pavilion will also be available. Want a souvenir from the event? You’re in luck; every attendee takes home their very own Virginia tasting glass. // One Loudoun: 44600 Freetown Blvd., Ashburn; $39-$69
K9s in the Vines
Oct. 13, 11 a.m.
Your pooches want to enjoy time at Virginia wineries too, right? At The Winery at La Grange, take your dogs on a walk through the vineyards while stopping at several wine tasting stations along the way to sample what is grown and produced at the estate. Every guest will receive a collectible stemless wine “K9s in the Vines” wine glass, and a portion of all ticket proceeds will be donated to Homeward Trails Animal Rescue. Leashes required. // The Winery at La Grange: 4970 Antioch Road, Haymarket; $30
Our October 2019 issue is devoted to Virginia’s Wine Country. Grab it on newsstands or subscribe to have upcoming issues delivered straight to your mailbox.
