Wine

Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words. ~ Plautus, Roman playwright [254-184 B.C.]

Jazz is like wine. When it is new, it is only for the experts, but when it gets older, everybody wants it. ~ Steve Lacy, musician and songwriter

Grapes grow well in southwest Virginia for its good soil and cool climate and enterprising wine makers and vintners are stepping out every year to create small batch, award-winning wines. Beliveau Estate Winery, a destination boutique winery in the lush countryside near Blacksburg, also offers luxury lodging, a long-running annual lavender festival, wedding venue, tasting bar and many special events. Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Chateau Morrisette revels in more than 40 years of having “a hobby that soon got out of hand.” The premier winery boasts a world-class restaurant, some of the finest wines produced in the East, elite wine tastings, music festivals, a large gift shop with a large tasting bar. Giles County on the western boundary of the NRV is home to Giles Mountain Vineyard & Winery and JBR Winery. Iron Heart Winery, near the southern tip of the region, was founded on a 1782 land grant parcel that housed an Iron Complex some 100 years ago. “The name attempts to capture portions of the property’s bountiful history and admirable traits of an amazing man in its past,” states the father-son owners, who work side by side daily and also offer home stays, corporate retreats and an event venue. Other wineries are sprinkled around the New River Valley with every county represented. The City of Radford modified an ordinance which now permits a craft brewery downtown.

Wineries

w Chateau Morrisette, Floyd w Beliveau Estate Winery, Blacksburg w JBR Vineyards and Winery, Pearisburg

w The New River Vineyard & Winery, Fairlawn

w Iron Heart Winery, Hiwassee w Villa Appalaccia, Floyd w Spinning Jenny, Dublin