It reminds me of places I’ve visited in Napa Valley, which may be intentional. In the early ’90s, before Tony and Edie Champ bought the property, they scouted California wine country, and perhaps took some aesthetic cues for White Hall, which opened in 1994. Around that time, California wines bore a big, fruit-forward style, and many of White Hall’s wines also fit this profile. The vineyard won the Virginia Governor’s Cup competition in 1997 and 1998, with a 1995 vintage cabernet sauvignon and a 1997 gewürztraminer, respectively. After you enter the front doors, and the wide-plank wood floors convey you into the tasting room, you will notice many bottles with medals hung around their necks. Good winemaking requires high-quality grapes, of course, and
the 800-foot elevation and mountain breezes at White Hall present fine growing conditions, moderating Virginia’s withering summer heat. According to Tony and Edie’s daughter, Lisa Champ, the 2019 harvest produced a bumper crop of chardonnay and an impressive haul of petit verdot. The vineyard’s chardonnays I’ve tasted are deep and round, like the so-called “buttery” ones from California. The petit verdot, blended with a little merlot and cabernet franc, is also full-bodied and well-structured. White Hall Vineyards takes a little extra effort to find, but after visiting, who knows, you might even recommend it to other wine lovers.—Joe Bargmann
King Family Vineyards Local favorite and frequent award-winner, King Family is also the site of polo matches Sundays from Memorial Day to mid-October. 6550 Roseland Farm, Crozet. 823-7800. Knight’s Gambit Vineyard A rustic, charming winery with a porch overlooking horse pastures and Fig, a friendly hound who’ll keep you company. 2218 Lake Albemarle Rd. 566-1168. Lazy Days Winery A boutique winery that’s home to local festivals like the Virginia Summer Solstice Wine Festival. 1351 N. Amherst Hwy., Amherst. 381-6088. Loving Cup Vineyard & Winery An award-winning certified-organic vineyard and winery tucked away in the hills. 3340 Sutherland Rd., North Garden. 984-0774. Lovingston Winery A densely planted 8.5 acres yields wine of high-quality fruit. 885 Freshwater Cove Ln., Lovingston. 263-8467. Meriwether Springs Vineyard & Brewery The post-and-beam event space is just the beginning anchors this lovely spot in the woods. 1040 Owensville Rd. 270-4299. Michael Shaps Wineworks The winery bears the name of the most prolific winemaker in central Virginia. 1781 Harris Creek Way, 296-3438; 1585 Avon St. Ext. (Wineworks Extended), 529-6848. Mountain Cove Vineyards Even better with age? The first batch of wine here was made in 1976. 1362 Fortunes Cove Ln., Lovingston. 263-5392. Mountfair Vineyards Small-batch, blended red wines, just 20 miles west of Charlottesville. 4875 Fox Mountain Rd., Crozet. 823-7605. Moss Vineyards Fifty-two acres with views of the Blue Ridge. 1849 Simmons Gap Rd., Nortonsville. 990-0111. Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards A favorite for weddings because of the stunning mountain views. And the wines are pretty darn good, too. 5022 Plank Rd., North Garden. 202-8063. Pollak Vineyards Located between Charlottesville and Wintergreen, this 98-acre farm produces 27 acres of French vinifera. 330 Newtown Rd., Greenwood. (540) 456-8844. Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery Main location at 154 Winery Ln., Leon. (540) 547-3707; tasting room at Carter Mountain. 1435 Carters Mountain Tr., 295-9463
Rappahannock Cellars Pristine country setting for this winery, owned by winemakers who moved (with their 12 kids) from California to settle locally. 14437 Hume Rd., Huntly. (540) 635-9398.
grapes don’t grow in ugly places®
5282 Sugar Ridge Rd., Crozet. 823-8615. whitehallvineyards.com
Septenary Winery Seven acres under vine at this stunning property, where old-world winemaking techniques abound. 200 Seven Oaks Farm, Greenwood. (540) 471-4282.
Afton Mountain Vineyards 234 Vineyard Lane | Afton VA 22920 540.456.8667 | aftonmountainvineyards.com
WINTER HOURS: 7 days a week • 11 am - 5 pm
Sharp Rock Vineyards Once a working family farm, Sharp Rock is now a vineyard, winery, and bed and breakfast. 5 Sharp Rock Rd., Sperryville. (540) 987-8020. Stinson Vineyards The cozy tasting room opens to a quaint patio for sipping award-winning wines and noshing on farm-fresh snacks. 4744 Sugar Hollow Rd., Crozet. 823-7300. Stone Mountain Vineyards A rustic winery offers views of the surrounding counties from a 1,700-foot elevation. 1376 Wyatt Mountain Rd., Dyke. 990-9463. Thatch Winery The former First Colony Winery turns out award-winning wines in a charming, renovated facility. 1650 Harris Creek Rd. 979-7105. Thistle Gate Vineyard Handcrafted wines aged in French and American oak. 5199 W. River Rd., Scottsville. 286-7781. Trump Winery Sprawling property with posh hotel and a renowned sparkling white. 3550 Blenheim Rd., 984-4855. Valley Road Vineyards Vineyard and tasting room at the head of the Rockfish Valley. 9264 Critzers Shop Rd., Afton. (540) 456-6350. Veritas Vineyard & Winery Award-winning wines at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 145 Saddleback Farm, Afton. (540) 456-8000. Weston Farm Vineyard & Winery Small, family-owned winery. Must love dogs: Charlie and Suzie, the owners’ French bulldogs, roam the property. 206 Harris Creek Rd., Louisa. (540) 967-4647. White Hall Vineyards A hidden gem with awardwinning wines. Call ahead to reserve a cheese plate from the neighboring monastery to enjoy with your tasting. 5282 Sugar Ridge Rd., White Hall. 823-8615. Wisdom Oak Winery Make your way down the long gravel road to get to an intimate tasting room and outdoor picnic area. 3613 Walnut Branch Ln., North Garden. 984-4272.
curious kids Afton Mountain Vineyards 234 Vineyard Lane | Afton VAscience 22920 real 540.456.8667 | aftonmountainvineyards.com bugs to discover
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