Wine Tour of the Vineyard

One of the special things about the Virginia Wine Industry is its generous spirit of collaboration and experimentation. Many wineries participate in the Virginia Winemaker’s Exchange, a scientific organization dedicated to researching the optimal soil conditions, climate, vine care and processes required to make the best wine Virginia has to offer. This experimentation ranges from planting new grape varieties and caring for the grape vines, to how different grapes react to various winemaking techniques.

Touring the vineyards and wineries gives you an up-close look at the processes (and results) of those experiments.

What to Expect on Wine Tours in Virginia

Some wineries offer vineyard tours so it’s worth planning your visit at a time when you can join one. These wine tours take you through the different “blocks” of the vineyard and describe the grapes that grow in each individual area, why that variety was chosen and what soil conditions contribute to its success. This is an excellent way to develop an understanding of the wines you will be tasting. There are also vineyards that offer self-guided opportunities or even an exploration of the vineyard on horseback.

Another component to a Virginia wine tour is the cellar. Here, winemakers store the wines as they age in barrels for the red wines or stainless steel tanks for the whites. Some tasting rooms are built to offer a view of the working areas of the cellar so guests can see the winemaking process while sipping. Others have museum style exhibits detailing the history of Virginia wine and the story of the vineyard property.

Look for all these informative opportunities to further your understanding of the enormous effort involved in bringing the wine you’re enjoying to your glass.

A Winery Tour and Special Events

Beyond a wine tour, look for other special events and attend as many activities as you can – experience will deepen your knowledge and enjoyment of the wines. There are exclusive classes, demonstrations and festivals at many wineries. Curated pairing events and classes are a favorite. Expert chefs and winemakers work together to find the perfect culinary match for specific wines, from tapas or an aperitif-style brunch to a full four-course dinner. Sommeliers and winemakers along with the chef talk about the unique qualities and history of each wine and why the food pairing was chosen. This is all terrific knowledge that you can take home to design your own wine pairings or even incorporate into future wine tours. Another popular activity is to join the wine clubs at your favorite wineries. Clubs are often offered for both local members and out- of-state visitors. With exclusive tasting events, opportunities to ship, early access to new or limited wine releases and more, joining wine clubs offer an excellent way to get the most out of your Virginia Winery experience. Some wineries may even invite members to volunteer during harvest. This is an amazing opportunity to have a hands-on experience and learn more about winemaking while you work side-by-side with Virginia vineyard staff. These events and more can be found on our event calendar.

Horseback Riding

Truffle Hunting

Cooking Class

Vespa Riding Tour