Central Virginia Wine Voyage Tips and guide

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Central Virginia is an expansive region covering the Virginia Piedmont between the Shenandoah Valley and the Chesapeake Tidewater regions. Wine production is most concentrated just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Monticello American Viticultural Area, centered around Charlottesville.

Central Virginia has a wine-making history dating back to Thomas Jefferson, who believed (correctly) that the region's topography and climate resembled that of France. Major wine production in the state picked up after the 1970s with the Zonin family of Venice purchasing the historic Barboursville estate. Horton Vineyards pioneered the viognier in the state and revolutionized Virginia wine in the 1980s.

This region of sunshine and rolling hills has seen a marked increase in both quality and quantity over the last three decades and has become a popular wine region to tour in the American East Coast.

In 2023 Monticello was named Wine Enthusiast's wine destination of the year.

Virginia grows a wide variety of both old world, hybrid, and North American grapes. The most produced grapes are Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and the region's specialty Viognier. The Norton, native to the state, is a source of particular pride among growers. Franco-American hybrids such as Chambourcin and Vidal Blanc are also common.

Most of Virginia east of the blue ridge mountains have loam soils. Climatically, Central Virginia is warm, with long summers and mild winters. The best vineyards are often at an elevation of 800 ft (above 240 m).

The farthest north, just east of the Blue Ridge.

• 38.272463-78.5299131 Kilaurwen Winery, 1543 Evergreen Church Rd., Stanardsville, ☏ +1 434-985-2535. (updated Feb 2024)
• 38.195804-78.4369922 Montifalco Vineyard, 1800 Fray Rd., Ruckersville, ☏ +1 434-989-9115. (updated Feb 2024)
• 38.279412-78.5876353 Stone Mountain Vineyards, 1376 Wyatt Mountain Rd., Dyke, ☏ +1 434-990-9463. (updated Feb 2024)

The closest county to Washington, DC.

• 38.16031-78.27744 Barboursville Vineyards, 6045 Governor Barbour St., Barboursville, ☏ +1 434-981-3793. (updated Feb 2024)
• 38.167738-78.2614575NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE Horton Vineyards, 6399 Spotswood Tr., Gordonsville, ☏ +1 540-832-7440. One of the pioneers of Virginia wine. Founded in the 1980's it has been at the forefront of grape experimentation in the state, including most notable viognier and norton. (updated Feb 2024)
• 38.1903-78.14756 Honah Lee Vineyard, 13443 Honah Lee Farm Dr., Gordonsville, ☏ +1 540-308-7724. (updated Feb 2024)
• 38.16645-78.272987 The Barn at 678 Vineyard, 6045 Governor Barbour St., Barboursville, ☏ +1 434-981-3793. (updated Feb 2024)
• 38.2472-78.17098 Woodbrook Farm Vineyard, 11461 Spicers Mill Rd., Orange, ☏ +1 540-219-1874. (updated Feb 2024)

Centered around Charlottesville.

• 37.962005-78.6580279 Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, 5022 Plank Rd, North Garden, ☏ +1 434-202-8063. (updated Feb 2024)
• 37.952252-78.50754310 Trump Winery, 385 Albemarle House Dr, Charlottesville, ☏ +1 434-266-9909. (updated Feb 2024)

37.72694-78.9134411 Lovingston Winery, 885 Freshwater Cove Ln., Lovingston, ☏ +1 434-263-8467. (updated Feb 2024)

The easternmost county in Monticello, and the closest to Richmond.

• 37.879689-78.35721312 Cunningham Creek Winery, 3304 Ruritan Lake Rd, Palmyra, ☏ +1 434-207-3907. (updated Feb 2024)
• 37.789301-78.40829413 Hardware Hills Vineyard, 5199 W River Rd, Scottsville, ☏ +1 434-286-4710. (updated Feb 2024)

Many Virginia producers are small-scale, so if you like a bottle, it is best to buy it straight from the source.

Virginia ABC stores have a better selection than most grocery stores. Large retailers like Total Wine have a limited selection. It is common, but not guaranteed, to have Virginia wine offerings in Charlottesville restaurants.

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