Comments on: Getaways: Wineries and a Pumpkin Patch down 66

By: Don

Don — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:55:22 +0000

WHAT? Two years you've been here and you haven't headed out to Shenandoah???? Put the laptop down now, Will, and get your ass in the car.

By: Will H.

Will H. — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:19:07 +0000

Man, my grammar and syntax sucked there. Sorry about that.

By: Will H.

Will H. — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:17:52 +0000

My wife and I have lived in the area now since 2006 and we haven’t been out on the 66 for a drive yet. We are from Nevada. So we have been priviledged with Napa/Sonoma wines. In fact my wife’s grandmother lives in American Canyon, right next to Napa. We got married in Napa and I am becoming quite the wine connoisseur.

I guess that is what I get for have a child, attending grad school and working for a nonprofit get me. No time and no money. Well, this up coming weekend, that might not be the case. We actually have been talking about it for a while. It could happen.

Wish me luck.

Thanks for the post to keep my mood in the right place.

By: Batgirl

Batgirl — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:25:36 +0000

Visited Naked Mountain in the spring and the place truly is in a beautiful setting – def worth a visit. I’d also recommend Corcoran and Hidddencroft vineyards in Loudoun county. Took a fantastic trip on the weekend including using the ferry at Poolesville to cross the Potomac. Certainly went down well with the in-laws!

By: Donna

Donna — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:32:04 +0000

I like almost everything at Barrel Oak Winery, with the Chocolate Lab, Bowhaus Red and Seyval Blanc being my faves. And I don’t normally like Virginia wines much. They’re very friendly, and have a patio with a great view of the valley and mountains. They’re open late on Friday nights, too – music on the patio in the summer, and movie nights inside now.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:16:22 +0000

My friends and I did a similar journey last weekend, but to an apple orchard instead of pumpkin patch. We were similarly very disappointed with Linden’s new rules. We had visited the winery two falls ago and fell in love with the facilities and enjoyed the wine. For weeks we were looking forward to having a picnic on their hill and enjoying a bottle or two of their wine. No Dice this year!!

We were informed of the same rules, which regrettingly were not shared in an email response to our request for names of orchards near Linden after we visited their winery. We were surprised by the signs of six or less parties, but were okay with that rule, as a party of four who thought the limitation would promote a more peaceful environment. However, we could not understand how they would benefit from turning away weekend guests who did not want to commit to their case club membership. I also note that the details of membership were never fully described to us. The membership was used more as a barrier than an invitation.

The woman at Linden was kind enough to refer us to Fox Meadow winery, which was a blessing in disquise of the whole experience. The options of standard tasting ($4) and premium tasting ($6) were nice at Fox Meadow. The staff was very friendly, and the wine selection was good. They even offered picnic tables on the premises and a view of the mountains. Just gorgeous.

I highly recommend Fox Meadow winery! Oh, and do visit the Apple House store on Rt. 55 for their doughnuts and kettle corn.

By: Tina

Tina — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:07:29 +0000

Tarara Winery in Leesburg, VA has some nice festivals during the summer. You can do a great wine tour in Nelson County, VA, my favorite winery there is probably Afton Mountain. The Veritas winery has a super-snazzy tasting room… http://www.explorenelsonwine.com/

By: Linda

Linda — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:14:58 +0000

About Linden Vineyards: My, my – how snooty can you be? Grow up. Rules are for following, miss. I happen to like the place and the wine, and I’m not a case club member either.

By: Jess

Jess — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:32:12 +0000

My favorite vineyard would have to be Pollak Vineyards near Charlottesville. Not only is their wine fantastic, but the staff is extremely knowledgeable about each of the wines.

http://www.pollakvineyards.com/

By: Tom Bridge

Tom Bridge — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:59:44 +0000

We've had a great time at Bluemont Vineyard both times we've been out there. It's just up the hill from our CSA, and they use the farm's berries for their berry wines. Their porch has an really amazing vista, and a really zippy viognier.

By: Max

Max — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:47:28 +0000

I’ve been to about five wineries and like the wine at Linden the best (although their exclusive porch/deck is for the birds). I really like their Claret. In general though, VA wines aren’t nearly as good as those from California, Oregon, NZ, Australia, and of course France, but it’s still fun to drive out into the country on a nice weekend afternoon.