LOUDOUN COUNTY , VA
Drive time from D . C .: About 1 hour
The particulars : With 48 wineries and tasting rooms , the county 40 miles northwest of Washington proclaims itself “ DC ’ s Wine Country .” Tourism officials have divided the region into six “ wine clusters .” Each route has its unique attributes , from historic small towns to rolling horse country , but for expansive views , head to the westernmost Snickers Gap Cluster .
Here , Bluemont Vineyard ’ s tasting room lies at the end of a steep road , perched 951 feet above sea level with splendid views of the Loudoun Valley . There ’ s outdoor dining on the multi-level terrace , shielded by umbrellas on sunny days and warmed by fire pits when it ’ s chilly . On the menu : light bites such as dips , artisan cheeses and flatbreads . Food trucks roll in on weekends . Check for monthly chef ’ s table dinners and brunches . The vineyard recently added the Reserve at Bluemont , a more intimate tasting room for ages 21 and over . ( bluemontvineyard . com ; 540-554-8439 )
Near the town of Purcellville , Otium Cellars specializes in Austrian and German varieties like Blaufränkisch and Grüner Veltliner . The kitchen serves chef ’ s specials like lump crab beignets and bourbon-glazed meatloaf sliders from late afternoon Friday through Sunday . Brick oven pizzas and cheese plates are always on the menu . Tasting venues are in the Wein Haus tasting room , Bavarian Hall , and the over-21 Belvedere . Or kick back on the winery ’ s spacious patio or spread a blanket in its pasture . Picnicking is permitted . ( Otiumcellars . com ; 540-338-2027 )
In the area : Stroll Purcellville ’ s compact downtown . Several shops market antiques and vintage items , notably It ’ s Bazaar On 21st Street , and Re-Love It , also on 21st Street , and Nostalgia on E . Main Street . Catoctin Creek Distillery , housed in a former Buick dealership on W . Main Street , produces award-winning ryes ( and other spirits ). Monk ’ s BBQ is known for its smoked brisket , and Magnolia ’ s , in a restored 1905 mill , serves farm-to-table fare . The town is at the trailhead of the popular Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail .
Information : visitloudoun . org
ANTIETAM HIGHLANDS , MD
Drive time from D . C .: About 1.5 hours
The particulars : This rural slice of western Maryland is defined by narrow country lanes that cut through blink-and-you ’ ll-miss-them villages . As charted by the Maryland Wine Association , the Antietam Highlands Wine Trail leads to eight facilities , though some are mere tasting rooms .
For the full winery experience , head to Antietam Creek Vineyards in the foothills of South Mountain in Sharpsburg . Its tasting room is on the upper level of a handsomely restored 1903 barn . Bordeaux-style wines , made from grapes grown in their vineyards , are processed and aged in the structure ’ s lower stone level . Enjoy live music through November on weekends ( BYO folding chair ). They also produce a semi-sweet peach wine made from fruit in their orchards . ( Antietamcreekvineyards . com ; 240-490-2851 )
Six miles east of Sharpsburg in Rohrersville is Big Cork Vineyards . As the name implies , it ’ s big . A sleek , 10,000-square-foot tasting room features a 25-foot bar . Outside , wrap-around patios are heated . The winery produces more than two dozen wines , including an awardwinning Petit Verdot , from 18 varietals grown in its 100-acre vineyard . Weekends through November feature live music . ( bigcorkvineyards . com ; 301-302-8032 )
In the area : Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg is the site of the single bloodiest day in the Civil War ( with 23,000 killed , wounded or missing ). Take the 8.5-mile auto tour or explore on foot via well-mapped evocatively named trails like Final Attack and Bloody Lane . The C & O Canal towpath cuts through Sharpsburg and is delightful for strolling or cycling this time of year . Antietam Creek is renowned for its kayaking , with several nearby outfitters renting equipment . Also in Sharpsburg , Nutter ’ s Ice Cream may be the most popular establishment in town . For a range of dining and shopping options , continue four miles south across the Potomac River into Shepherdstown , W . Va . Its vibrant downtown is chockablock with restaurants , one-of-a-kind shops and theaters .
Information : marylandwine . com
FAUQUIER COUNTY , VA
Drive time from D . C .: About 1 hour
The particulars : With 22 wineries and vineyards , the heart of Virginia horse country has plenty for oenophiles . For easiest access from D . C ., try wineries near I-66 . Ten miles north of the county seat , Warrenton , is Pearmund Cellars . Tasting venues include a terrace , barrel room and picnic tables set throughout the property . At the winery ( open daily for those 21 and over ), enjoy a pre-selected tasting or order by the glass . A family-friendly area with a farm store selling snacks and craft items is open Friday-Sunday . ( pearmundcellars . com ; 540-347-3475 )
Ten miles south of Warrenton in tiny Bealeton is Morais Vineyard and Winery . Its tasting room is a circular confection of a building with a soaring circus tent-like ceiling and a wrap-around verandah ( open Friday , Saturdays and Sundays only ). Visitors can bring a picnic to enjoy inside or out . Popular pours include Comendador , a Portuguese-style red blend , rose , and the Port-style MV Ruby . ( moraisvineyard . com ; 540-729-4823 )
In the area : Warrenton ’ s walkable Old Town is lined with shops and restaurants . Get a beat on local lore at the History Museum at the Old Jail on Ashby Street . Claire ’ s at the Depot on S . Third Street is an elegant eatery in a former train station . There ’ s rooftop dining at Denim and Pearls on Main Street . The Red Truck Rural Bakery on Waterloo Street serves seasonal sweet treats . The town of Marshall , 11 miles north of Warrenton , sports its own budding food scene . Field & Main gets rave reviews and Johnny Monarch ’ s serves casual fare out of a bright red double-decker bus . The Cold War Museum at Vint Hill displays uniforms , communications devices and other relics related to the era .
Information : visitfauquier . com
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 44 AUTUMN 2022