With the whisper of fall in the air, it’s time to plan a trip to the Shenandoah Mountains. And a must-visit destination is Reitano Vineyards in Front Royal. Spanning 88 acres of the Virginia Piedmont with stunning views of Shenandoah National Park, it would be hard to find a more picturesque spot to meet for a glass of wine or apple cider.
On October 4, Reitano debuts a new state-of-the-art tasting room, along with family friendly activities like hay rides and a pumpkin patch. Reitano’s charismatic owner is Shelly Cook who purchased and developed the land that had been her grandfather’s cattle farm in Front Royal. She was inspired by her love of the landscape, and the biblical story of turning water into wine. “I thought how romantic it would be to plant a vineyard and have people walk on the grass like I did as a child,” Cook says.
Named for her Italian great-great grandfather Reitano, Cook brought in vine experts from Virginia Tech to test the soil and rebuild the nutrients. It took six years, but by 2019, she had planted grapes on the first nine acres. Reitano Vineyards bottled its first vintage in 2024. It now harvests 15 acres of productive vines.
Reitano Vineyards currently sells six to eight wines, including a red blend, sparkling rosé, chardonnay, and pinot grigio. The original barn was used as a tasting room and event space. But Cook’s new facility sparkles with chandeliers and light from the walls of windows overlooking the mountains. It will have a new brewery, cigar and bourbon room, and a full-service restaurant.
Showcasing Local Farms
Reitano Vineyard’s most popular event is The Rooted Table, featuring five courses of curated dishes with ingredients sourced from Virginia farmers. Her dinners bring attention to local producers. “They don’t have marketing money, so our dinners support them. It’s a hard day’s work, and through one meal at a time, we’re touching on something so much bigger.”
She also opened a farmstand selling seasonal produce, jams, jellies, apple butter and caramel apples. “If you don’t patronize the farms, they’re going to close,” Cook says.
An Array of Entertainment
Reitano is dog- and family-friendly. “Families can go for a hayride through the vineyards and visit the pumpkin patch,” Cook says. “We’ll have a spooky hay maze, and live music every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.” She’s adding a barn with goats and cows and four Trackman golf simulators that groups can rent.
Beyond wine, beer, and spirits, Reitano Vineyards offers a menu of shareable appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads. There’s also sparkling cider, herbal drinks, and lemonade. Tastings are $5 a glass and $30 for a flight of six wines, plus slushies and sangria.
Where to Stay to Visit Reitano Vineyards
Along with owning a vineyard and farm, Cook is a contractor. She designed lodging so visitors would have upscale places to stay. Reitano’s event space and accommodations are often used by groups for weddings, baby showers, elopements, and birthday parties.
Sydonia’s Place is a romantic one-bedroom cottage next to a fishing pond, often reserved for the bridal couple or event host. There’s room to spread out at the Villa, a chic country house that can accommodate up to eight guests. The Trellis is a house and five cabins that’s used for small weddings and reunions. Available in spring and summer for dry camping is the Boho Bus, a repurposed school bus with a cozy bed, bathroom, and sitting area.
Located in downtown Front Royal is The Olive Branch, a motel with a modest exterior and refined furnishings. Another option is the four bedroom River House on the banks of the Shenandoah River. Reitano will have 20 new modern cabins by late 2026.
Cook’s endless energy and serene approach is deeply rooted in faith. She lost her mother to cancer as a child, and is thankful for the moment she is in. “The Bible says if you want to eat, you’ve got to work … I believe in taking care of others.”
Feature image courtesy Reitano Vineyards
