Looking to wind down? At Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards, guests enjoy that country fresh feel as soon as they drive onto the property’s 450 rolling and wooded acres. The main hotel, which opened in 2022 and offers 28 rooms and suites, has a black-and-white décor that’s elegant and welcoming without being fussy. From offering a surprisingly yummy whipped SPAM with nori and yuzu hot sauce as an appetizer to the immersive gemstone-themed massage in the new spa, this destination shares its Appalachian roots with pride.
“Appalachian style!” a server proclaims as she sets down mouthwatering biscuits with sausage gravy in the onsite restaurant, Hickory, or a glass of Nicewonder vineyard’s unusual and highly drinkable white merlot.
A multiple James Beard Award nominee, chef Travis Milton cherishes his local roots. That translates into dishes that nod to culinary history, including the many ways that Appalachian cooks innovated with sometimes limited resources. Growing up, Milton tagged behind his mother, who worked in the restaurant that his grandparents owned, and learned their ways. He now hand-forages for mushrooms, ramps, and other seasonal delicacies and sometimes uses Red Hots candies to spice up his luscious apple stack cake, as his family did. Milton aims for “zero-mile cuisine,” meaning that much of Hickory’s produce, chickens, and eggs are grown on the property’s farm and are truly sustainable.
The Nicewonder family has strong local roots. Don Nicewonder, founder of the farm and vineyard, owned several successful coal extraction companies mainly in Virginia and West Virginia and was a respected philanthropist. He and his wife, Etta, raised a family and he invested his money back into the Appalachian community. In 1992, he also built The Virginian, a nearby private golf course designed by Tom Fazio. Guests can play there while staying at the inn.
Overlooking the pond and rolling vineyards, the infinity pool beckons all for a calming dip. The wellness-focused spa offers massages, along with cupping treatments and facials. The 6-acre vineyard’s tasting room is an easy stroll from the main building, and you’ll pass through the yurt village, which has a variety of family-friendly bedroom offerings. Guests can also enjoy fishing, archery, and sipping truly local wine by the fire pits. An impressive array of birds — meadowlarks, song sparrows, and killdeer — provide a chorus to outdoor activities, even propping your feet up on the balcony to breathe in the chillness.
Nicewonder Farm and Vineyards is about a 5.5-hour drive from Dulles. 21500 Nicewonder Dr., Bristol
Feature image courtesy Nicewonder Farm and Vineyards
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