destinations A Month-Long Tour of
Area Wineries and Tasting Rooms By Amy Falkofske
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n March, Prince William Living took you on a tour of area breweries and distilleries. This month, we’ll take you on a tour of some of the area’s wineries and wine tasting rooms.
The History of Wine in Virginia According to virginiawine.org, the first attempts at winemaking go back to the first settlers and a few founding fathers. However, winemaking didn’t become an industry in Virginia until the late 1970s. At first, the wine world dismissed Virginia viticulture (the cultivation of grapevines), but European immigrants and dairy farm matriarchs persisted and overcame the obstacles. What resulted was a sharp increase in wine quantity and quality in Virginia. In the 1990s, there were only about 50 wineries in Virginia. Today, there are nearly 300.
The Wineries
The Winery at La Grange “In addition to our fine selection of wines, The Winery at La Grange strives to make each guest feel welcome in our historic 18th-century manor house,” said Director of Marketing & Web Designer, Kevin Chevallier. “The La Grange estate is steeped in history and legends. We love to share the stories with our guests as they enjoy a glass or bottle of wine.” You’ll find a lot more than wine at The Winery at La Grange.
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“Throughout the year, we offer a variety of events, including wine dinners featuring local chefs, wine and chocolate pairings, K9s in the Vines tasting weekends, outdoor movie nights, and local vendor markets,” he said. The Winery at La Grange is located at 4970 Antioch Road in Haymarket.
The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm counts itself as both a brewery and a winery. Sunshine Ridge is locally owned and operated, with over 20 acres of land, a rustic wine tasting room, and an old pub-style brewery with large fireplaces. “What sets us apart is that we are situated on Lake Manassas, so unlike other local venues, we have amazing water views. Prior to our opening, these water views could only be enjoyed if you lived in the neighborhoods surrounding the lake or belonged to one of the country clubs on the lake. Now anyone can come and enjoy the lake with a cold brew or a glass of wine,” said Maria Rafferty, Co-owner. The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm is located at 15850 Sunshine Ridge Lane in Gainesville.
The Wine Tasting Rooms Aroma Wine Tasting
According to General Manager, Alexandria Scadden, what
