Sip, Savor, Staunton: A Guide to Virginia Wine Month in the Queen City

The New Wine Review praises Virginia winemakers’ willingness to experiment by overcoming unconventional growing conditions and leading to recent success in the winemaking business. Now, wine enthusiasts from all over the world seek out our wines. Food and Wine calls Virginia “one of the most unexpected and exciting wine-producing states in the country.” Vino-tourists who come to Staunton find easy access to a number of different vineyards as well as our area’s scenic beauty, and thriving cultural offerings. Celebrate Virginia Wine Month with our favorite places to drink it, buy it, and enjoy it.

Staunton tasting rooms

Here’s where to sip Virginia wine in walkable downtown Staunton. 

• Ramulose Ridge has opened a new tasting room in Staunton’s historic Wharf district. Choose a seat in the courtyard near the fountain, perch at a high-top table, or relax on a sofa. The family-owned and operated winery (located in Monetta near Smith Mountain Lake) produces dry, semi-sweet, and sweet wines designed to appeal to a range of tastes. You can also order sangria, sweet wine sippers, or margarita flights. Add a charcuterie board to complement your wine. The tasting room is dog-friendly inside and out.

• Schedule a private tasting at the family-owned Star Party Winery Staunton tasting room, which is affectionately known as the “Sky Bar” for its indoor and outdoor roof deck seating. Since 2021, Star Party has produced “low-intervention, natural wines” sourced in the Shenandoah Valley. Star Party’s single-varietal and wine blends taste great and the winery seeks to limit its environmental impact. At your tasting, ask about carbonic maceration,biodynamic wine,and “Zero-Zero” wine.
• Ox-Eye Vineyards is located in Augusta County and has been producing 100% estate-grown wine since 2010. The Staunton tasting room is convenient for visitors who want to learn about the wine-making process and how to enjoy different types of wine, including varietals that are not common to Virginia. Tastings are led by experienced guides. Stick around and share a glass or bottle of your favorites on the covered patio. The upstairs lounge features local art. Accompany your wine with an Ox-Eye charcuterie board or bring nibbles from home or from a local restaurant.

• Nearby, Accordia offers guided tastings of wines from Barren Ridge Vineyards and from around the world. This shop is dedicated to wine education, so you’ll come away more savvy about how wine is produced and what to pair it with! Accordia also serves food inspired by international and European culture, and regularly hosts live music and poetry nights. Make sure to visit on October 6 when Accordia celebrates Oktoberfest with German-themed food and drink specials and live music.

Other Staunton wine stops

While not specializing in Virginia wine, it’s usually on the menu at these spots.

• Relax and connect over wine and light fare at The Green Room, a cozy gathering spot for friends to enjoy a curated wine, craft beer, and cider menu along with sandwiches and cheese boards.
• Treat yourself to a glass of wine and a gourmet grilled cheese at Yelping Dog. Or choose a bottle from the 1,500+ selections hailing from both nearby and around the world. 

• Seed to Tail Kitchen and Market specializes in foods made with local and seasonal ingredients. They carry a wide selection of local and global wines, which can be enjoyed by the glass or bottle. Look for weekly wine tastings paired with featured pasta as well as special wine dinners. 
• Cranberry‘s sells local beer and wine, including wines from Crosskeys and Barren Ridge Vineyards. Cranberries also carries natural foods and serves breakfast, lunch, and coffee.
• You can also find Virginia wine at a number of Staunton’s restaurants like the Second Draft Bistro, the 1924 Lounge, Zynodoa, Mill Street Grill, and Queen City Bistro. Ask your server for a wine and food serving suggestion!

Nearby vineyards

• Located on the grounds of a former apple orchard, Barren Ridge Vineyards boasts long views of the Blue Ridge over rolling farmland. Relax on the patio for a tasting flight, glass, or bottle of a dozen different wines, including the popular Touriga and the Red Barron blend. You’re welcome to bring your favorite snacks, and the vineyard is child and dog-friendly. Check the schedule for live music. 

• North of Staunton, family-owned and operated Bluestone Vineyard produces small-batch wines made from estate-grown grapes. You’ll catch some show-stopping sunsets from the west-facing tasting room and patio. Nearby, the Purple Wolf Vineyard serves several delicious wines, including lavender-infused wine, sangria, and wine slushies. Visitors can explore both the vineyards and the lavender farm.
• Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery is known for award-winning, minimally-processed wine and beautiful Shenandoah Valley scenery. Bring a picnic and come on the weekend for live music. High on the Blue Ridge, Afton Mountain Vineyards is a wonderful spot for tasting several varietals of Virginia wine. Take a seat on the patio or spread a blanket on the large lawn where you can admire  the view and watch your kids to play. 
• More area vineyards with views include: Ecco Adesso Vineyards, CrossKeys Vineyards, Veritas Vineyard & Winery, Marceline Vineyards, Above Ground Winery, 12 Ridges Vineyard, and Jump Mountain Vineyard.

Wine experiences

Try these wine-centric experiences when you visit.

• October 5: Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery’s annual Harvest Festival will feature music by Little Walter And The Convictions and Greenhouse. Enjoy beer, wine, apple cider wine slushies, and the Island Wheels Caribbean fusion food truck. Check the vineyard’s schedule for additional live music and events like sip and paints.
• Along with luxury accommodations and delicious food, the Blackburn Inn’s Sip, Stay, and Explore package includes a private winery tour and tasting at Barren Ridge Vineyards. 

• The Virginia Scenic Railway excursions serve several wines from Wisdom Oak Winery, a winery located just south of Charlottesville.
• Get romantic with a weekend getaway at the Iris Inn where luxurious private cabins have excellent views of the Shenandoah Valley. The inn offers wine and spa packages including the Wine Down and Relax package.
• The Historic Staunton Foundation and Hotel 24 South host an annual Winter Wine Festival in February featuring a dozen vineyards.

What are you waiting for? Visit Staunton and sip some Virginia wine today!