Virginia Wine Country: Your guide to the 8 regions
Sip your way through the Virginia wine country, which features distinct wines, rolling vineyards, and rich heritage.
Virginia is for lovers, and if you’re a wine lover, it’s especially for you. The state is known for many things: being the first English settlement and the birthplace of eight American presidents, natural beauty, the Appalachian Trail, delicious seafood, and more. But what’s less well known is that Virginia also has its very own wine country. With over 4,000 acres of vineyards, the state boasts 10 distinct regions, eight of which are AVAs. Virginia wine is unique; it sits between modern California styles and old-world European traditions, creating a fusion of both time and place.
Check out Virginia’s eight AVAs, along with wineries to explore in each region.
Blue Ridge
The Blue Ridge region contains two viticultural areas: the North Fork of Roanoke AVA and the Rocky Knob AVA.
The North Fork of Roanoke stretches for 22 miles along the Roanoke River and is known for producing Bordeaux varieties, especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which yield bold reds. Chardonnay and Viognier also thrive here, producing rich whites.
The Rocky Knob AVA covers 9,000 acres on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The vineyards here are part of the Piedmont region in the Appalachian range, with altitudes reaching up to 3,500 feet. Rocky Knob’s gravel and loam soils are free-draining, producing concentrated berries that result in more intense flavors. Popular wines from this region include bold reds and Italian varietals.
The Blue Ridge region is home to 16 incredible wineries. While it’s hard to go wrong with any of them, two favorites are Beliveau Farm Winery and Capstone Vineyards. At Beliveau, you can enjoy award-winning Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Summer Rosé, or Merlot. Capstone’s guided tasting tours (offered for just $25) are hard to beat!
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay region is home to three American presidents—George Washington, James Madison, and James Monroe. But it’s also home to the Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace AVA. Covering about 980 square miles, this AVA includes Westmoreland, King George, Northumberland, Lancaster, and Richmond counties. Its proximity to the water, mild climate, and sandy loam soils all help define the region. Popular types of Virginia wine produced here include Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, and Chambourcin.
Looking for a winery to visit? You’re in luck with Good Luck Cellars. Located in Kilmarnock, this historic Northern Neck winery offers it all—five tasting flights, wine by the glass, and wine by the bottle. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can often catch live music, and their Sangria Sunday is not to be missed.
For something a little different, head to The Dog and Oyster Vineyard for a wine and oyster pairing. Not into oysters? Pair their crisp wines with a colossal hot dog (yes, hot dogs and wine ARE a thing), Old Bay–seasoned fries, or a charcuterie board.
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is home to Busch Gardens, Water Country USA, The Mariners’ Museum, Newport News Shipbuilding, and the popular cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach. It’s also where you’ll find Virginia’s newest AVA, the Virginia Peninsula AVA. Covering 673,059 acres in southeastern Virginia, this region is defined by its humid subtropical climate and sedimentary soils. Popular wines here include Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Tannat, Petit Verdot, and Petit Manseng.
Make your first stop at Gauthier Vineyard, a woman- and veteran-owned winery in Barhamsville. Here you can enjoy red, white, fruit, and dessert wines… or try one of each! In addition to great wine, Gauthier hosts a variety of events, including date nights, “wine around the world” evenings with winemakers, piano nights, and more.
Then head to Saudé Creek in New Kent County, where you can sip wine overlooking the Pamunkey River. Saudé Creek offers tastings, flights, and wine by the glass or bottle. Guests are also encouraged to bring a picnic or outside food to enjoy on the property’s beautiful grounds.
Northern Virginia
Scenic Northern Virginia is home to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Waterford Village, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. It sits just an hour outside of Washington, D.C. Nestled within this region is the Middleburg Virginia AVA.
The Middleburg Virginia AVA spans approximately 190 square miles, with 229 acres of commercial vineyards, 24 wineries, and eight vineyards. Characterized by rolling hills, fertile soils, and a temperate climate, Middleburg is known for producing robust reds such as Merlot and Cabernet Franc, as well as refreshing whites like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
At Breaux Vineyards, you’ll find a picturesque estate surrounded by mountain views and rolling vineyards. The atmosphere is both relaxed and elegant, making it the perfect place to enjoy wine on the patio, stroll the grounds, or stop by for one of their events. Their tastings are also a highlight, ranging from guided tastings led by knowledgeable staff to self-guided flights.
Chrysalis Vineyards, located in the Ag District, pairs great wine with delicious food. You can join a daily tasting, go at your own pace with a self-guided option, or sit down to pair wines with their diverse menu featuring cheeses, cured meats, wood-fired pizzas, hearty sandwiches, and more.
Central Virginia
Central Virginia encompasses everything from Civil War sites to modern art, mountain escapes, and, of course, great wine. It’s home to the Monticello AVA, which stretches along the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains and includes Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate, where he once dreamed of a landscape filled with American vineyards. Today, that dream is a reality. The AVA spans 1,250 square miles across Albemarle, Orange, Nelson, and Greene counties. With warm temperatures, elevations of 800 feet and higher, and excellent natural exposure, the region is ideal for grape growing. Popular wines here include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Viognier—the region’s award-winning specialty.
At Barboursville Vineyards, visitors can choose from a variety of wine experiences. Indulge in their Library 1821 tasting, featuring curated wines in an elegant setting of a library lined with historic documents, savor a locally sourced Italian dinner, or stay the night in one of their suites or cottages.
Another popular option is to visit Veritas Vineyards and Winery. Here, you can enjoy tastings in the tasting room or sip wine from the lawn while soaking in Blue Ridge views. In addition to their wines, Veritas offers a thoughtful food menu and is especially well-known for its Sunday brunch.
Eastern Shore
Virginia’s Eastern Shore feels like a fairy tale, with family farms, waterside towns, miles of scenic shoreline, and its wild Chincoteague ponies. Within this storybook setting lies the Eastern Shore AVA, located at the southern end of the Delmarva Peninsula and covering its southernmost 70 miles. The region is defined by a moderate maritime climate, a long growing season, sandy soils, and steady bay breezes. Popular wines from the Eastern Shore include bright Chardonnays, fresh Cabernet Francs, and other Bordeaux varieties.
At Chatham Vineyards on Church Creek, the only winery within the AVA, you can picnic against the backdrop of its picturesque waters. Family-run and dedicated to growing high-density French vinifera varietals since 1999, Chatham has built a reputation for quality and character. Visitors can enjoy a self-guided tasting flight or simply relax with a picnic on the scenic grounds.
Shenandoah Valley
The Shenandoah Valley offers everything from rolling pastures and college towns to historic villages, year-round Shakespeare performances, and vibrant fall colors. Stretching from the Maryland state line to south of Roanoke, the Valley is also home to apple orchards, natural wonders, museums, and, of course, wineries.
Within this region lies Virginia’s very first recognized AVA, the Shenandoah Valley AVA. Its unique geography allows for a range of varietals. With elevations that vary widely, abundant limestone, frequent waterfalls, and dry summers, the Valley provides exceptional growing conditions. Popular wines include Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Merlot.
With 37 wineries spread across the region, it can be hard to decide where to begin. Here are two standouts:
At Bluestone Vineyard in Bridgewater, you can enjoy gorgeous views of the Allegheny Mountains from the tasting room, sample wines at the bar, order a flight, or sip by the glass. Their offerings range from sweet to semi-sweet to dry, with both whites and reds aged in stainless steel or oak, as well as dessert and sparkling wines. To accompany your glass, they offer small bites, such as mozzarella sticks and buffalo wings, or you can bring your own food.
Once an apple orchard and now a wine oasis, Barren Ridge Vineyards is a fourth-generation, family-owned estate in the Shenandoah Valley. Visitors can sip award-winning wines while taking in breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stop by the tasting room, set up a picnic on the grounds, or relax on their outdoor patio for a uniquely Valley experience.
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