Thank God for Monday holidays. I'm so grateful to all of our veterans for serving our country and keeping us safe. In memory of those who died while serving our country - This drink is for you...
On Monday, my dear friend (and soon to be roommate!) Caitlin and I decided to spend memorial day enjoying the beautiful weather at some Virginia wineries. There is nothing more relaxing than warm weather, good wine, and good friends. Winery hopping is the perfect mini-vacation to relax and get away from it all (even though most wineries are only about an hour from NOVA!)
On Monday, my dear friend (and soon to be roommate!) Caitlin and I decided to spend memorial day enjoying the beautiful weather at some Virginia wineries. There is nothing more relaxing than warm weather, good wine, and good friends. Winery hopping is the perfect mini-vacation to relax and get away from it all (even though most wineries are only about an hour from NOVA!)
^ How much do you love my "I'll drink to that" napkins? T.J. Maxx. LOVE.
We started at Barrel Oak Winery, a dog and child-friendly winery in Delaplane, VA. We loved this winery for a couple reasons -
A+ for Wine Selection - Barrel Oak has a ton of different options for wine tastings. You can choose all red, all white, 2 different tasting options for a mixed flight, or the full flight. The wines were tasty and there was plenty of room to taste. $6 for a half flight and $11 for the full flight. We both ended up getting a bottle and enjoying it outside.
A+ for Atmosphere - Barrel Oak has a huge seating area including picnic tables and covered seating. There were a lot of people there, but there were still plenty of places to sit and enjoy our picnic (which is allowed!). When we were there, they had live music which added to the ambiance.
We started at Barrel Oak Winery, a dog and child-friendly winery in Delaplane, VA. We loved this winery for a couple reasons -
A+ for Wine Selection - Barrel Oak has a ton of different options for wine tastings. You can choose all red, all white, 2 different tasting options for a mixed flight, or the full flight. The wines were tasty and there was plenty of room to taste. $6 for a half flight and $11 for the full flight. We both ended up getting a bottle and enjoying it outside.
A+ for Atmosphere - Barrel Oak has a huge seating area including picnic tables and covered seating. There were a lot of people there, but there were still plenty of places to sit and enjoy our picnic (which is allowed!). When we were there, they had live music which added to the ambiance.
Our second winery was Vintage Ridge Winery, a smaller vineyard, also in Delaplane, VA. Their tasting room is cute because they make the wine in the same room, so the big wine making barrels (?) are part of the decor. There was lots of seating inside and outside when we were there, but outside food was not allowed - so no picnic for us.
B for Wine Selection - Their tastings are mostly red, which I'm not a huge fan of, but we got to try 7 or so wines, which was nice. Plus, our kind host was very generous with the pours, so we really can't complain :) I think this tasting was about $7
B+ for Atmosphere - We didn't sit outside, although I'm sure it was probably nice. It was a more intimate atmosphere, and it was nice that you sat at an individual high top table to do the tasting (as opposed to standing at a bar).
B for Wine Selection - Their tastings are mostly red, which I'm not a huge fan of, but we got to try 7 or so wines, which was nice. Plus, our kind host was very generous with the pours, so we really can't complain :) I think this tasting was about $7
B+ for Atmosphere - We didn't sit outside, although I'm sure it was probably nice. It was a more intimate atmosphere, and it was nice that you sat at an individual high top table to do the tasting (as opposed to standing at a bar).
We were going to travel to a third winery, but we ran out of time. Darn... we'll just have to come back again another day :)
Looking forward to Herndon Festival this weekend! It starts today and goes through Sunday. Free entry, live entertainment, food, beer, and within walking distance from my town house. I had a blast last year, so if you're in nova - check it out.
Looking forward to Herndon Festival this weekend! It starts today and goes through Sunday. Free entry, live entertainment, food, beer, and within walking distance from my town house. I had a blast last year, so if you're in nova - check it out.