Did you know that the Charlottesville area has been called the “Napa Valley of Virginia”? With the 28 vineyards within 30 miles of the Iris Inn, you’ll most certainly find something to suit your vinous tastes.
Veritas Vineyard in Afton juxtaposes the old with the new, as modern technology utilizes traditional vinification principles to produce outstanding regional wines. Taste the tropical White Star, the deep, black fruit of the Othello Reserve, or the spicy complexity of the Petit Verdot 2010. While winetasting at Veritas is excellent on its own, the vineyard also offers annual events, where live music, mouth-watering food, and night skies complement your selection of wines.
Jefferson Vineyards in Charlottesville offers a sip of history only minutes away from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. As the first vineyard to bring modern viticulture to Virginia, its goal from the beginning has been to create quality wine completely in and of the Commonwealth. Sample the soft floral and citrus of the Chardonnay ’12, the cherry and spice flavors of the Cabernet Franc ’12, or the semi-sweet, bended notes of the Vin Blan. We think Thomas Jefferson would be proud of these wines!
Pollak Vineyards in Greenwood offers you the wares of their 27 acres of “French vinifera.” Try the 2012 Cabernet Franc with its ruby hue and its flavors of cherry, pomegranate, and cracked pepper. Sip the light but juicy red berry taste of Durrant Red or the candied apricot, fig, and hazelnut of the Mille Fleurs. As one TripAdvisor reviewer states, “Places like Pollak have convinced me that Virginia can produce world class wines equal to anything that comes out of California.”
King Family Vineyards in Crozet is known for two things—its premium wine and its exciting polo matches. On a warm, Sunday afternoon, perch along the polo field alongside your loved ones, and take in the sights and sounds of these mallet-wielding competitors on horseback. King Family wine is always available at these events, so take the opportunity to enjoy a glass of Crose 2013, Chardonnay 2012, or 3, a collaborative wine produced by the efforts of King Family Vineyard, Veritas Vineyard, and Grace Estate Winery. If you’re a fan of Meritage, then a King Family Vineyard Meritage Vertical Tasting is a must.
Afton Mountain Vineyards promises not only a variety of award-winning wines, but also breathtaking Virginia scenery. Certain vines at Afton Mountain are more than 35 years old, making them some of the oldest in the Commonwealth. Though this winery offers a number of wine varieties, what they’re really known for is their exceptional Cabernet Franc Reserve, a medal-winner at the 2012 Governor’s Cup. Afton Mountain Vineyard also presents a number of events and festivals throughout the year, including their ever popular Afton After Hours, which features the instrumentation of local musicians and the delicious fare of Blue Ridge Pizza Company.
These local vineyards invite you to indulge not only in their wine offerings, but also their breathtaking scenery and their lively events. Enjoy a day of wine tasting with your family, a vineyard event with your friends, or an Iris Inn winery package with your significant other. Click here to check availability at the Iris Inn.
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