WASHINGTON 鈥� The temperatures are cooling, the leaves are changing, and out at the vineyards, it鈥檚 harvest time.
If you鈥檙e planning a day of local wine tasting and touring, Washington Post wine columnist said there鈥檚 never been a better time.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 very exciting right now to be a wine lover in the Washington, Virginia and Maryland area. The industry has been expanding so rapidly over the last 15 years, and the quality has gone up, but also the experiences,鈥� McIntyre said.
With more than 250 wineries in Virginia and roughly 75 in Maryland, there is no shortage of options for where to start. McIntyre shared some of his favorites to fit all types of itineraries.
鈥淚t鈥檚 so much fun to take a weekend drive out to Loudoun County or farther south down to Charlottesville 鈥� even toward Frederick into the South Mountain area in Maryland 鈥� and see the scenery, taste some wines and sort of just get away from the city for a while,鈥� McIntyre said.
Varieties that are thriving
Before you head out to attend a tasting or two, it鈥檚 good to know what wines are excelling in the area. McIntyre said cabernet franc and viognier are the trademark varietals that helped Virginia build its reputation. However, blends are on the rise.
鈥淩ight now, especially in Northern Virginia, ones that are exciting are Bordeaux-style blends, so not just cabernet franc, but blending in some merlot and cabernet sauvignon,鈥� McIntyre said, adding that wineries experimenting with blends are making some 鈥渞eal complex, nuanced, high-quality wines.鈥�
Another grape to keep an eye out for is petit manseng, which McIntyre said is pretty rare. In Southwest France, the grape is blended with other wines, but Virginia is letting it shine on its own.
鈥淎nd what you get is a nice sort of floral, aromatic wine that can be either dry or sweet,鈥� McIntyre said.
Depending on the flavor profile you prefer, taste around and you鈥檙e sure to find one you like.
Who鈥檚 making the best wine?
Virginia鈥檚 reputation for wine is growing, both nationally and internationally, and a number of winemakers are helping to usher in that recognition.
McIntyre points to Linden Vineyards, Glen Manor Vineyards and Delaplane Cellars as some of the best wine producers in the area. The appointment-only vineyard, RdV, is also at the top of that list.
鈥淭hey are really going all out to make the best wine that they can at that site in Northern Virginia, and they have helped raise the bar for Virginia wine and the reputation around the world,鈥� McIntyre said about RdV.
Where to find the best experience
Of course, quality isn鈥檛 the only thing people look for when planning a trip to the vineyards. Many wineries offer unparalleled views, live music, made-from-scratch food and kid-friendly spaces. 聽
If you鈥檙e in search of the best overall experience, McIntyre suggests Glen Manor Vineyards, just south of Front Royal, Virginia. He says the wine is excellent and the hillside vineyards are visible from the tasting room. Plus, there are a number of other wineries close by, should you be looking to visit more than just one.
Up-and-coming winemakers
Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton, Virginia, already has a bit of a reputation, but McIntyre said it鈥檚 one that deserves more attention. The winery is producing a great tannat, cabernet franc, viognier and chardonnay.
In Maryland, Old Westminster Winery and Vineyard is a young family-run operation that鈥檚 worth a visit. 聽
鈥淎nd these three siblings have just created a dynamic experience and a dynamic winery,鈥� McIntyre said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e setting a high bar for quality in Maryland right now.鈥�
Close to the Beltway
Can鈥檛 spend all day on the road? You don鈥檛 have to drive far to find great wine. McIntyre said Chrysalis Vineyards in Middleburg, Virginia, is less than an hour away, as is Boxwood and a few others along Route 50.
In Montgomery County, Maryland, there鈥檚 Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard, and just a little farther north toward Mount Airy is Black Ankle Vineyards and Elk Run Vineyards. In the opposite direction, toward Antietam Battlefield, is Big Cork, which McIntyre said 鈥渋s worth a visit.鈥�
Where to find the best reds and whites
RdV Vineyards, Linden Vineyards, Glen Manor Vineyards and Delaplane Cellars are all known for their reds. A little farther south toward Charlottesville, Virginia, McIntyre said red-lovers shouldn鈥檛 miss Barboursville Vineyards, King Family Vineyards, Veritas Vineyard and Winery, Keswick Vineyards and Michael Shaps Wineworks.
Barboursville is producing some promising Italian whites, and McIntyre calls Linden鈥檚 chardonnays 鈥渨orld class.鈥�
What to do 鈥� and not to do 鈥� at the wineries
Visiting the area鈥檚 multitude of wineries is a lot of fun, but there are a few things to keep in mind while doing so. Tasting rooms have spit buckets on the counter for a reason, so don鈥檛 be hesitant to swirl, sip and spit.
鈥淵ou should spit the wine out when you鈥檙e tasting because you need to drive home. And if you鈥檙e going to several wineries and tasting several wines at each, you shouldn鈥檛 be knocking them back, you should be spitting them out,鈥� McIntyre said.
鈥淒on鈥檛 be self-conscious about it.鈥� 聽
Most importantly, keep in mind that you are a guest at someone鈥檚 place of business 鈥� and often, it鈥檚 someone鈥檚 home.
While some establishments encourage visitors to bring their own food, it is illegal to bring your own wine. Plus, it鈥檚 common courtesy to consume the winery鈥檚 own wine while on the property.
Many places welcome families, but remember to respect the land. McIntyre has heard stories of children running through vineyards, picking grapes and having food fights.
鈥淭hese are not public parks, it鈥檚 not there for the taking.鈥� he said.
To help narrow down the region鈥檚 options, McIntyre recommends downloading the app, . Users can search wineries based on a number of factors, including those that are kid-friendly, those that have the best food, and those that are hosting festive events. 聽
鈥淚 like to think of us as being on the cusp of something exciting here,鈥� McIntyre said about the local wine industry.
鈥淭his is a chance to get to know these people who are trying to do something and create something new. Buy a bottle, take it with you when you travel and surprise your friends with it, and you鈥檒l hear the familiar phrase, 鈥楾hey make wine in Virginia? Wow! This is good!鈥欌��
