Rappahannock News - The Guide to Rappahannock
Wineries, Breweries & Distillery
Chester Gap Cellars
Up in Chester Gap on the northern edge of Rappahannock County, you will find a farm winery producing handcrafted wines from their mountainside vineyards. Open 11 to 6 Friday, Saturday and Sunday (or by appointment) at 4615 Remount Rd. Call 540-636-8086, visit chestergapcellars.com
Copper Fox Distillery
At the home of Wasmund's Single Malt Whiskey, you can visit the distillery and see where the first Applewood chip-aged whiskey in the world is made. You can also buy bottles on site. The distillery is open 10 to 6 Monday-Saturday, 1 to 6 Sunday, with tours on the half-hour (last tour at 5:30). At 9 River Lane, Sperryville. Call 540-987-8554 or visit copperfox.biz
Dida’s Distillery
Pressed, not mashed, ultrapremium spirits are made
100 percent from grapes at Dida’s: luxurious brandy, groundbreaking vodka and refreshing gin. The family's winery-based distillery brings new, unique, and innovative spirits to Virginia’s booming craft distilling landscape. Enjoy samples and luxury cocktails in our distillery store/tasting room (at Rappahannock Cellars, listed below). Rated Virginia Brandy Distillery of the Year at the 2018 New York International Spirits, the gold-medal winning spirits start with the highest quality grapes, pressed and fermented and carefully distilled in single small batches. Dida's (pronounced “did-uh’s”) tasting room is open Friday-Tuesday at Rappahannock Cellars, 14437 Hume Rd., Huntly. Call 540-551-8141 or visit didasdistillery.com
Gadino Cellars
Following their Italian heritage, the Gadinos offer quality varietals, pinot grigio, cab franc, chardonnay, cab sauvignon and nebbiolo from their estate vineyards — all wines made onsite. Visit their Tuscan-inspired tasting room and sit on the shaded deck overlooking the Blue Ridge. Centrally located between Little Washington and Sperryville, Gadino is committed to producing tantalizing wines and shares them in a fun-loving way with two regulation bocce ball courts outside, and grapes, artisan cheese & Italian sausage inside to go with your wine. Open 11:30 to 5, 92 Schoolhouse Road, Washington. Call 540-987-9292 or visit gadinocellars.com. Wine cellar tours on request.
Gray Ghost Vineyards
Gray Ghost is Rappahannock's oldest winery, producing internationally acclaimed wine from 100 percent estate-grown fruit. Gray Ghost is family owned and operated, and a visit to the winery offers a knowledgeable staff, southern hospitality, beautiful picnic grounds and spacious indoor facilities. Ask about Gray Ghost's famous winery events, entertaining tours and the most popular volunteer harvest program in the state. Open 11 to 5 Friday-Sunday and holiday Mondays March through December, and 11 to 5 Saturday-Sunday in January and February at 14706 Lee Hwy., Amissville. Call 540-937-4869 or visit grayghostvineyards.com
Hinson Ford Cider & Mead
Producing a variety of traditional hard ciders and dry, drinkable meads from locally sourced ingredients. Tucked away in a pastoral setting, with views of the northern section of Shenandoah National Park and Virginia's Piedmont at 379 Hinson Ford Rd., Amissville. Call 540-445-0022, email mead@hinsonford.com or visit hinsonford.com
Hopkins Ordinary Ale Works
This craft brewery is in the cellar of Hopkins Ordinary B&B (see listing under Places to Stay), and specializes in traditional beers that are true to style, with a little bit of whimsy. They use local barley and hops when possible and change their selections with the seasons. Come enjoy their beer garden and tavern room with a fireplace. At 47 Main St., Sperryville. Contact hosts Sherri Fickel and Kevin Kraditor at 540-987-3383 or visit hopkinsordinary.com
Little Washington Winery
Tucked into the foothills of Skyline Drive between Washington and Sperryville, Little Washington Winery offers eight of their own wines plus a daily Dirt Road Wine Tour featuring incredible other small-batch wines. This spot was named best picnic spot in Virginia for its panoramic Blue Ridge views. Frequent events and classes are updated at littlewashingtonwinery.com. Open 11 to 5 Friday-Sunday at 72 Christmas Tree Lane, Washington. Call 540-987-8330.
Magnolia Vineyards
Magnolia Vineyards tasting room and surrounding grounds are the perfect place to relax and “Escape the Madness!” The family-run vineyard and boutique winery makes small lots of mostly Bordeaux varietals. Regular tastings are paired with cheeses and chocolates. Plenty of interior and outdoor seating to enjoy a picnic or the fire pits in cooler weather. Live acoustic music most Saturdays. Located at 200 Viewtown Rd., Amissville. The tasting room is open year-round, check our website or Facebook page for current hours & events. Call 703-785-8190 or visit magnoliavineyards.com
Narmada Winery
Narmada Winery offers excellence in wines and ambience. The small boutique winery offers grand views, a pavilion on the lake and picnic areas. The Tasting Room offers Indian small plates, frequent live music and a gift shop. The Tasting Room is open year-round. Please call or check the website for seasonal hours! Located at 43 Narmada Lane (off U.S. 211), Amissville. Call 540937-8215 or visit narmadawinery.com
Pen Druid Brewing
Psych-rock stars (and brothers) Van, Jennings and Lain Carney, who grew up on a farm just down the Thornton River in Woodville, opened their microbrewery — which is named for that farm — in the summer of 2015 in the Copper Fox complex in Sperryville River District, and immediately found themselves selling at least as many seasonal, farmhouse, mixed fermentation and barrel-aged beers as they’ve sold albums. Their band, Pontiak, has been touring North America and Europe for a decade, allowing them to sample and appreciate the beers of the world, which led first to a healthy home-brewing hobby and then to their small but popular addition to the River District. Open 3 to 7 Thursday, 12 to 8 Friday-Saturday, noon to 7 Sunday, and 3 to 7 Monday. Call 540-987-5064 or visit pendruid.com
Quiévremont Winery
Quièvremont Winery and Vineyards — established in 2008, the winery in 2012 — focuses on estate-grown Bordeaux varietals and blends, with wines made in the French style. Located at the heart of Reality Farm (see listing under Farms, Orchards, Nurseries), the vineyard benefits from well-draining soils, plenty of sun and cool mountain breezes. Tasting room is open noon to 6 Thursday, Sunday and holiday Mondays, noon to 7 Friday-Saturday, by appointment otherwise at 162 Gid Brown Hollow Rd., Washington. Call 540-827-4579, email info@ quievremont.com or visit quievremont.com
Rappahannock Cellars
Recognizing the promise in Virginia wines, the proprietors moved their family’s winery from California to the Blue Ridge in the heart of Virginia. With careful tending of the vineyard and exacting knowledge of the cellar, Rappahannock Cellars strives to create rich, supple and elegant wines, dedicated to the winegrower’s art. Open daily for walk-in wine tastings (RSVP
required for groups of six or more) at 14437 Hume Road, Huntly. Call 540-635-9398 or visit rcellars.com
Sharp Rock Vineyards
At Sharp Rock Vineyards, the owners take great pride in being a small, artisan winery that crafts 12 award-winning wines each year from fruit hand-selected and picked from their own vineyards.
They use old-world winemaking techniques, stressing balance and a minimalist style, to create wine reflecting the vineyard’s unique mountainside location. Accommodations in cabins are also available (see under Places to Stay). Open 11 to 5 Friday-Sunday or by appointment at 5 Sharp Rock Road, Sperryville. Call 540-987-8020 or visit sharprockvineyards.com.