October Virginia Wine Month is in full swing. All of the Commonwealth’s wine regions are harvesting their grapes, crafting new vintages and sharing the unique savors of Virginia-grown wines. The 31st annual celebration will culminate Saturday, Oct. 19 with over 10 festive Harvest Parties taking place across the state. Read below to find a Harvest Party nearest you, or check out our favorite Virginia wine and fall food pairings to throw a harvest party of your own.
Central Virginia
VRV Harvest Party
Valley Road Vineyards, 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Pair Afton’s sweeping mountain views with red and white vintages from Valley Road Vineyards and live music by Brian Franke. Shop from an array of Craft Cville vendors and nosh on po’boys, lobster shrimp rolls, crab cake salads and other seafood eats from The SpiceSea Gourmet food truck.
Harvest Party on the Farm
Courthouse Creek Cider, noon–7 p.m.
Virginia cideries are spreading the winemaking love with harvest parties of their own. Maidens’ Courthouse Creek Cider is throwing a harvest farm celebration complete with fine wines, natural ciders, locally crafted tapas and autumn fun.
Chesapeake Bay
Fall Harvest Barrel Tasting 2019
Ingleside Vineyards, 1–4 p.m.
Indulge in an afternoon of wine and music as you become one of the first to taste the newly fermented wines from Ingleside Vineyards’ fall harvest. Cleanse your palate with Southern fare from Randolph’s on the River. Tickets may be purchased online for $20.
Northern Virginia
Harvest Festival
Doukénie Winery, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Doukénie Winery is celebrating the end of Harvest with an exclusive barrel tasting experience. For just $20, join the Purcellville winemaker every hour from noon to 5 p.m. for straight-from-the-barrel pours. Regular tastings can be purchased for $12 as well. Also on the Harvest Festival docket are flavorful barbecue from Hog-It-Up BBQ, treats from Pop-Up Patisserie and live tunes courtesy of Don Chapman and Bill Thompson.
Harvest Celebration
Breaux Vineyards, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
The two-day harvest celebration at Breaux Vineyards is packed with fall-themed fun. Savor gourmet candy apples, try oysters six ways at the King Street Oyster Bar or visit one of three wood-burning ovens and sink your teeth into artisan pizza pies. Enjoy live music and craft vendors too, all while sampling Breaux’s award-winning bottles.
Harvest Party 2019
Paradise Springs Winery, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Toast to Virginia wine with a Bordeaux flight specially curated by Paradise Springs Winery. Participate in lawn games, grape stomping and harvest tours, and sample Clifton-made apple cider donuts, brews from Solace Brewing Co. and plates from local food trucks.
Cana Harvest Party
Cana Vineyards & Winery, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Cana Vineyards & Winery is doing it big for the 2019 grape harvest. Nestled in the Bull Run Mountains, the Middleburg winery transforms into the ultimate fall venue complete with live music, delicious fare from Market Salamander, brews from Old Ox Brewery, a humble fall market and a roaring fire perfect for s’mores making. Discounts on wine will be available too.
Diwali Festival of Lights Celebration
Narmada Winery, 5–8 p.m.
Coinciding with the end of harvest in Virginia is the ancient Indian custom of Diwali, a tradition that marks the end of the agrarian year. Naramda Winery keeps the tradition alive in Amissville and celebrates the October holiday with Indian cuisine and fireworks. A $10 ticket includes admission only. Food purchases must be made in advance. Wine by the bottle and glass may be purchased on site.
Harvest Dance
Casanel Vineyards & Winery, 7–9:30 p.m.
Included in Casanel Vineyards & Winery’s 11th anniversary celebration is an after-hours harvest dance. The end-of-season party includes wine and a handful of group dances from country western line dancing to the rumba and the cha-cha. Tickets can be purchased online for $10.
Southern Virginia
11th Annual Harvest Celebration
Rosemont of Virginia, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Rosemont of Virginia offers harvest fun for the whole family. Sing along to live music by Retro Candy, try your feet at a grape stomping competition and munch on delicious eats by Cooper’s Landing Inn & Travelers Tavern. Kids can sip creamy milkshakes from The Cottage Barn too while you savor a $10 tasting of Rosemont’s best vintages.
Virginia Mountains
Sunset Saturday Harvest Party Potluck
Hickory Hill Vineyards, 6–9 p.m.
Soak up the Shenandoah sunset as you bid adieu to Virginia’s harvest season. Hickory Hill Vineyards’ last Sunset Saturday of the season invites guests to bring a lawn chair, pack a picnic and imbibe locally made wine on the sprawling Moneta property.
For more information on October Virginia Wine Month and statewide Harvest Parties, visit here.
Author: Grace Silipigni
