FALL IS THE PERFECT
TIME TO VISIT
LOUDOUN COUNTY
Escape to Virginia’s famed horse and wine
country where stacked stone fences line
unpaved roads and historic towns, horse
farms and estates dot the countryside,
just outside the nation’s capital. From the
mountains and the shore of the Potomac
River to the changing leaves on the vines at
more than 40 wineries, Loudoun’s bucolic
landscape is the perfect place to capture the
color of the fall season. Relax at one of two
resorts or a cozy B&B, horseback ride through
the country like Jackie Kennedy Onassis once
did or discover the secrets of winemaking
as wineries host special events and dinners
to celebrate harvest at the vineyards. In
Loudoun, explore the color by land, air
or water. Bike the W&OD Trail, stopping
at a craft brewery along the way or get a
bird’s eye view of the leaves at Empower
Adventures’ zipline course. For water lovers,
kayak the Potomac River to see the colors of
fall along the shoreline.
LOCO ALE TRAIL : Virginians have
been producing wine for over 400 years but
now the craft beer scene is making waves.
Loudoun is where visitors can get a distinct
local taste at 22 breweries creating more than
200 unique brews at any given time. Home to
the LoCo Ale Trail, the largest beer trail for any
Virginia county, Loudoun blends rural farm
breweries with industrial-style tasting rooms.
Experience tasting rooms on farms where
brewers are growing hops, cherries and other
products to go into their beer or play corn
hole and chat with a brewmaster at an urban
brewery minutes from Dulles International
Airport. Get a behind–the–scenes look into
the industry by booking a guided tour of the
Mid-Atlantic’s first commercial-scale hops
processing facility at Black Hops Farm or bike
to breweries along the W&OD Trail.
VIRGINIA WINE COUNTRY
With more than 40 wineries and tasting
rooms, Loudoun is a premier East Coast wine
region and leading the way in Virginia. In 2017,
Loudoun’s The Barns at Hamilton Station’s
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon received Virginia’s
highest wine award, taking home the
Governor’s Cup and outscoring more than 490
wines. Known as D.C.’s Wine Country due to
its proximity to Washington D.C., Loudoun’s
wineries are nestled along winding, unpaved
roads, adjacent to horse farms and historic
estates. Our boutique wineries house tasting
rooms in everything from rustic barns and
intimate cellars to architecturally stunning
facilities. Indulge in tastings, tours, food
pairings and conversation with award-winning
winemakers. Fall is a great time to visit a
Loudoun County vineyard.
LUCKETTS FAIR :
Celebrate Lucketts agricultural past at this
family friendly fair featuring everything
from Bluegrass music and sheep herding to
hayrides, grape stomping and artisans selling
unique crafts.
theluckettsfair.com
August 19-20
WATERFORD FAIR
Return to a day from an earlier time at the
Waterford Fair, which features tours of
historic homes and vintage barns, artisan
demonstrations, crafts and more.
www.waterfordfoundation.org/programs/
waterford-fair
October 6-8
LOUDOUN WINE AWARDS
Celebrate Loudoun’s rich wine scene at the
third annual awards event presented by the
Loudoun Wineries Association. The evening
begins with the grand tasting of Loudoun’s
award-winning wines, followed by the awards
ceremony and dinner.
www.loudounwineawards.com
October 13
MIDDLEBURG FILM FESTIVAL
Enjoy four days of fantastic films and
conversation with world-renowned actors
and filmmakers. Past films include Nebraska
& Spotlight while past guests include
Director Lee Daniels and actors Emma Stone
and Bruce Dern.
middleburgfilm.org
October 19-22
AUTUMN 2017 49 FLYWASHINGTON.COM