Virginia wines are flowing at a festival near you.
Virginia is a “Commonwealth of Wine” – with more than 200 wineries that stretch across every region of the state, from the waters of the Chesapeake Bay to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Virginia is a wine destination unlike any other, with wineries surrounded by lavish scenery, breathtaking views, quaint small towns and monumental historic sites.
Virginia is one of the only wine destinations in the country where visitors can kayak to a winery, enjoy bluegrass music while sipping local wines, sample regional wines at a National Park, or enjoy wine at a National Historic Landmark.
The state’s annual wine festivals vary just as the wineries do, offering wine lovers the chance to savor the flavors of Virginia’s vintages at events big and small. Below is a sampling of some of Virginia’s most popular annual wine festivals of 2012, with many more found on here.
April
Wintergreen Winery's 19th Anniversary Celebration - Wintergreen, April 28, 2012
Toast the winery's 19th anniversary with wine, live music, riverside picnics and fun for all in a family-friendly, scenic setting. Light picnic fare including artisanal cheeses will be available.
Clarksville Lake Country Wine Festival - Clarksville, April 14, 2012
Join us for the Clarksville Lake Country Wine Festival on the lawns of beautiful, historic downtown Clarksville. Enjoy nearly 100 samples of Virginia wines--that of 15 Virginia Wineries--delicious food, live music, and select artisans.
Beaverdam Wine Festival - Beaverdam, April 14, 2012
Four fine Virginia Wineries James River, Lake Anna, Greyhaven, and Cooper have come together for wine tasting at the John Lewis Thompson Learning Center and Pop's Country Store Museum for the very first ever Beaverdam Wine Festival.
Smithfield Wine & Brew Fest - Smithfield, April 14, 2012
The excitement of using the enchanting riverside Windsor Castle Park as the festival location, combined with the historically great tradition of local hospitality - the Smithfield Wine & Brew Fest weekend is guaranteed to be the year’s most anticipated event.
Farmville Wine Festival - Farmville, April 21, 2012
Kick off Spring by spending a fabulous day in scenic, historic Downtown Farmville, Virginia's newest Main Street community. Farmville Wine Festival features some of Virginia's premier wineries, fabulous food, arts & entertainment...something for kids too.
Northern Neck Wine Festival - Heathsville, April 21, 2012
Enjoy wine tasting and festivities on the grounds of ye olde courthouse tavern. See docents in 18th century costume with a blacksmith's forge and hand-made items for sale. Shop the farmer's market, taste and buy wine from local wineries and enjoy food from the Rice's Hotel - Hughlett's Tavern Restaurant and the Tavern Foundation.
Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival - Waynesboro, April 21-22, 2012
The Virginia Fly Fishing Festival is held outside each spring on the banks of the South River in Waynesboro, Virginia. Learn tips on where, when, and how to fly fish in the Old Dominion and across the globe as well as wine-tasting and live music. Spring is the time to cast a line and sip some wine at our 12th annual festival.
Great Grapes Wine Arts and Food Festival – Reston, April 28-29, 2012
You are invited to celebrate the taste of over 100 unique, diverse and flavorful wines! The Virginia Wineries want you to sample the essences of their best grapes while expanding your tongue's tastes. A full palette awaits your arrival to Great Grapes! While mastering the art of wine tasting, be sure to attend our wine seminars, Gourmet Live! cooking demonstrations & shop amongst the unique artists!
May
Montpelier Wine Festival — Montpelier, May 5-6, 2012
Montpelier Wine Festival showcases 24 premier Virginia wineries on the historic grounds of 4th President James Madison. Live music, cooking with wine demonstrations and wine tasting classes all add to the experience. Specialty foods will be available along with an abundance of arts and crafts. Picnic areas and children’s activities offer fun for the whole family.
Town Point Spring Virginia Wine Festival — Norfolk, May 12, 2012
Enjoy the warm spring weather, first class Virginia Wines and spending time with friends along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront during a wonderful afternoon of wine sampling and socializing at The Spring Town Point Wine Festival. Sample wines from over 20 Virginia Wineries and Vineyards along with great live acoustic music and the breeze from the Elizabeth River. Also on site are retailers selling fun and unique items from jewelry and glassware to chocolates and hats.
Monticello Wine Festival — Charlottesville, May 12, 2012
Enjoy the splendor of spring while tasting Virginia’s best selection of wines. The Wine Festival at Monticello takes place on Monticello’s West Lawn. This spring, the public will be invited to the Wine Festival at Monticello to enjoy a glass of wine on the West Lawn as Jefferson himself did. Visitors will have the opportunity to walk the restored vineyards, meet wine-maker Gabriele Rausse and experience Monticello in the evening, as well as take tours of Jefferson’s home, hear live music on the West Lawn, and see the garden in full splendor while tasting wines from locally produced Virginia vineyards. Local wine experts will be on hand to answer questions about our region’s finest wines and how they compare to the vintages that Jefferson enjoyed.
Virginia Wine & Craft Festival — Front Royal, May 19, 2012
Enjoy tastings from 20 Virginia wineries along with crafts in historic downtown Front Royal, Virginia. More than seven blocks will be filled with 100 vendors, artists and crafters selling fine handmade jewelry, hand painted wine glasses, hand crafted musical instruments, pottery and ceramics, clothing, original paintings and artwork, antiques and more.
Spring Wine Festival & Sunset Tour at Mount Vernon - Alexandria, May 18-20, 2012
Join Mount Vernon in its spring celebration of the history of the Virginia wine industry on the east lawn overlooking the Potomac River. Guests sample wines from 16 award-winning Virginia wineries, learn about the successes and failures of our Founding Father’s wine endeavors, enjoy live jazz music, and meet “George Washington” on the Mansion's piazza. Guests experience an evening tour of George Washington's home and are invited to visit the rarely-open basement cellar vaults where he stored his wine.
Rassawek Spring Jubilee Wine & Heritage Festival - Columbia, May 19-20, 2012
The Rassawek Spring Jubilee is a two-day celebration that will showcase 10 local wineries for wine tastings as well as cultural, musical, agrarian and artistic traditions that are the heart and heritage of Goochland County.
June
Vintage Virginia Wine Festival — Centreville, June 2-3, 2012
This event is a cornerstone of the East Coast wine festival season, featuring a one-stop shopping environment for wine collectors and enthusiasts, as well as a unique opportunity to interact with winemakers, movers and shakers, cultivating your own understanding of what makes a quality vintage. Centrally located in the beautiful outdoor arena of Bull Run Regional Park (just 20 minutes from Washington, DC) and featuring tastings of over 300 wine s from wineries across Virginia.
Summer Celebration Wine Festival - Newport News, June 9, 2012
The late spring splendor of Lee Hall Mansion's beautiful grounds provide the setting for the Annual Summer Celebration Wine Festival. The finest vintages from Virginia's best wineries combine with live music, exquisite food and unique craft vendors to make this one of the Peninsula's most popular events.
8th Annual Manassas Wine and Jazz - Manassas, June 17, 2012
The 8th Annual Manassas Wine and Jazz is held on Father's Day at the Harris Pavilion located in the heart of historic Old Town Manassas. Featuring headline jazz artists, this event is an intimate and relaxing afternoon of tasting and purchasing wines from award-winning Virginia wine artisans.
Covington Cork and Pork Festival - Covington, June 29-30, 2012
The Covington Cork and Pork Festival is an outdoor festival featuring a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned competition complete with a wine festival, music, food, street entertainment, and family fun.
July
Anniversary Festival at Gray Ghost Winery - Amissville, July 7-8, 2012
Celebrate Gray Ghost's 18th Anniversary with wine tastings, vineyard and winery tours, live music by the Seth Kibel Jazz Trio, speciality craft vendors, a Civil War camp, silent auction of barrels and more!
Blackdog Wine & Music Festival - Floyd, July 14, 2012
Pull out your lawn chair, pack your dancing shoes and sunglasses and prepare for a relaxing fun-filled afternoon. We'll have all your favorite artists, craftspeople and vendors on site for shopping and plenty of great food.
The Horse and Hound Wine Festival - Bedford, July 14, 2012
Enjoy wine from some of Virginia’s finest wineries while listening to good music and visiting art, craft and food vendors. Virginia’s most unique wine festival has numerous events throughout the day with horses and dogs as the primary attractions such as the Parade of Horses, agility dogs and muskrat racing.
August
Blackdog Wine & Music Festival - Floyd, August 11, 2012
Pull out your lawn chair, pack your dancing shoes and sunglasses and prepare for a relaxing fun-filled afternoon. We'll have all your favorite artists, craftspeople and vendors on site for shopping and plenty of great food.
September
"Romp, Stomp & Chomp" Harvest Celebration at Wintergreen Winery - Nellysford, September 1-2, 2012
Send off Summer and welcome the Harvest on Labor Day weekend. Want to stomp grapes like Lucy? Here's your chance! Grape Stomping, live music, wine,riverside picnics and fun for all!
Great Grapes Wine Arts and Food Festival – Reston, September 8-9, 2012
You are invited to celebrate the taste of over 100 unique, diverse and flavorful wines! The Virginia Wineries want you to sample the essences of their best grapes while expanding your tongue's tastes. A full palette awaits your arrival to Great Grapes! While mastering the art of wine tasting, be sure to attend our wine seminars, Gourmet Live! cooking demonstrations & shop amongst the unique artists!
Lake Anna Wine Festival - Mineral, September 22, 2012
The 1st Annual Lake Anna Wine Festival will be a day of celebrating local wineries, delicious refreshments, and fun for the entire family.
South Hill Wine Festival - South Hill, September 22, 2012
Wine festival featuring wineries from all over the area, artists, music, food and more.
Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival – Moneta, September 29-30, 2012
The Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival is the perfect event for aficionados of wine as well as fans of outdoor concerts and craft festivals. Held at Southwest Virginia’s Smith Mountain Lake
in Moneta, nearly thirty wineries will participate with dozens of juried craft and food vendors.
Stratford Hall Wine Festival – Stratford, September 22 -23, 2012
Although the wines and wineries will be the highlight of the event, don’t miss the variety of distinctive arts and crafts, specialty foods, live music, wine tasting tips, hot air balloon rides, Great House tours and the petting zoo. The wineries will showcase a broad selection of wine style, including those suitable for fine dining, casual occasions as well as offering a few novelty styles.
October
October Virginia Wine Month – Statewide, October 2012
Wine lovers unite to Discover Your Local Crush for Virginia Wine Month, a month-long celebration with special events, tastings, festivals and more at Virginia’s 200+ wineries statewide.
The 12th Annual Norton Wine and Bluegrass Festival – Middleburg, October 6 – 7, 2012
Wine travelers can visit Chrysalis Vineyards, home to the world's largest grower of Norton, The Real American Grape!®, and experience one of Northern Virginia's top wineries during the harvest season. The area's best bluegrass, food from the local "BBQ King," cheese, chocolates and chutneys from Virginia's premier producers, jewelry and art from top-notch artisans and designers, hayrides and vineyard tours and a special nine-wine tasting, are just some of the weekend's highlights.
Fredericksburg Area Wine Festival - Fredericksburg, October 6-7, 2012
Eight Virginia wineries have samples of their wines, as well as microbrews from Blue and Gray Micro Brewery! Food concessions, local crafters and artisans, live music, and Aubrey Treakle's Barrel Train for the kids. Free admission to retired and active military with ID.
Taste of Culpeper - Culpeper, October 7, 2012
Experience the very best in Virginia wines, microbreweries and local cuisine from noon until 5:00 p.m. Discover treasures for your home and your table from local artisans and crafters. Fun and festivities for the entire family will promise an enjoyable fall afternoon.
Historic Long Branch Hot Air Balloon, Wine & Music Festival – Millwood, October 12-14, 2012
A fun-filled, action-packed, three-day family celebration unfolds at the Historic Long Branch Hot Air Balloon, Wine & Music Festival. Held on the spacious lawns and rolling fields of Long Branch in Clarke County, the festival brings balloonist and their colorful airborne craft from far and wide to delight spectators of all ages. In addition to the balloons, the annual event provides a wide variety of entertainment over the weekend.
Virginia Wine and Garlic Festival - Amherst County, October 13 - 14, 2012
The second full weekend in October, the Virginia Wine and Garlic Festival embraces food, wine, live entertainment, arts, crafts and GARLIC! There are five stages with constant music and entertainment, including Garlic Cooking, Garlic King, Queen and Jr. Queen Contests.
For those interested in getting a jump on Christmas, the Garlic Festival provides the opportunity to see over 150 different unique arts, crafts and specialty foods. Wine tastings are available from six local wineries.
Blackdog Wine & Music Festival - Floyd, October 13, 2012
Pull out your lawn chair, pack your dancing shoes and sunglasses and prepare for a relaxing fun-filled afternoon. We'll have all your favorite artists, craftspeople and vendors on site for shopping and plenty of great food.
Wine, Wings and Wheels Festival - Orange, October 21-22, 2012
Twelve wineries will present their best at this new Orange County event, which promises to be as popular as other area wine festivals. Beautiful autumn weather and the lure of music and fun will make this an unforgettable experience.
Town Point Virginia Wine Festival - Norfolk, October 20-21, 2012
This fall festival favorite will showcase over 200 of Virginia's finest wine varieties and encapsulate the elegant flavor and flair of the region. Festival guests will enjoy a blissful weekend of sampling a wide selection of Virginia Wines in Town Point Park.
Powhatan's Festival of the Grape – Powhatan, October 27, 2012
Experience the excellence of 25 Virginia wineries at the annual Festival of the Grape at Powhatan's Historic Courthouse Square. A festival for family fun, tastings of Virginia's finest wines, delicious food, continuous live music and entertainment featuring Steve Bassett and Casper, arts and crafts. Only a short drive from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, Williamsburg, Lynchburg and Farmville, don't miss what is becoming one of the best wine festivals in Virginia.
November
Caledon Art and Wine Festival - King George - November 3, 2012
Enjoy a fall day at Caledon and see what the area's finest artisans have to offer. Get a jump on holiday shopping. Taste wine from local wineries.
Thomas Jefferson's Wine Festival - Bedford - November 17, 2012
Celebrate Jefferson's passion for wine! The festival will feature Virginia wineries, artisans and local food purveyors, musical entertainment and more.