Wineries of Southern Virginia

Virginian wine is having a moment right now and so we decided to spend the long weekend exploring more wineries of the Blue Ride and Southern Virginia Mountains.  Basing out of Charlottesville, we visited more wineries along the Gold Medal Wine Trail.  The wines from this region embody this unique position in the world. They are lush but structured; aromatic, expressive and beautifully balanced—blending the subtlety of the Old World with the boldness of the new. Read my recap below:

Ingle Korean Steakhouse

Ingle Korean Steakhouse is located in the heart of Tysons Corner and offers the finest selection of beef with a bold Korean flavor and seafood centric prix-fixe menu priced at $75 per person. Closest Metro is Greensboro. 

L'Auberge Provencale

We did a romantic getaway to a quaint bed & breakfast, L'Auberge Provencale, located in Boyce, Virginia in Shenandoah Valley. While there, we dined at La Table - the restaurant located within the Inn that highlights Provencale cuisine. Just as they do in Provence, they employ a farm to table philosophy that leads their menus and experiences.

RdV Vineyards

RdV Vineyards located in the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia offers an American Grand Cru that compares to classic Napa Valley and Bordeaux big hitters.  The owner, Rutger De Vink, is a former Marine so it was fitting that we visited on this Veteran's Day. His passion for great wine is evident: “From the minute I began my search for a place to build our vineyard, my driving force was to find a spot that would produce a world class wine. After traveling for more than three years visiting sites on the West and East Coasts, I settled on this little hillside near the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia—an unlikely spot on its face—but the more I thought about the history of the region and the more we tested the terroir, the more we believed in this Lost Mountain.” 

Early Mountain Vineyards

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Early Mountain is a pristine 350 acre property surrounded by rolling hills and pastoral farms. In 2016, it was voted the number one tasting room in the nation by USA Today in its 10 Best Readers Choice contest. "Virginia through and through", we visited the tasting room to enjoy a couple flights with lunch with a stunning view of the foothills. The restaurant menu focuses on seasonal produce from local farms and was a lovely way to kick off our celebratory wedding anniversary weekend.

2941 Restaurant

2941 Restaurant is a visual and culinary adventure. Every dish is a work of art at this marvelous inside the beltway oasis. Set in among luxuriously landscaped woods in a remote area of Falls Church, VA, the restaurant features elaborately designed waterfalls, Koi ponds, and fountains that one can enjoy from any seat. In January 2012, the restaurant underwent an extensive kitchen renovation and dining room refresh, the results of which are sure to appeal to guests in search of a distinctive dining retreat any night of the week. While the unparalleled water views, floor-to-ceiling windows and contemporary feel remain, the new menu features Modern American French with Mediterranean influences that still provides a wonderful gastronomical experience in a fun and approachable way.

Wineries of Blue Ridge & Southern Virginia Mountains

Virginia sits halfway between Europe and California, just below the Mason-Dixon Line. The wines from this region embody this unique position in the world. They are lush but structured; aromatic, expressive and beautifully balanced—blending the subtlety of the Old World with the boldness of the new. Like perfect French spoken with a slight southern drawl. There's a movement growing in Virginia vineyards with no singular style, no "signature grape" - rather, Virginian wine embodies the essence of a region where tradition and revolution go hand in hand. I wanted to explore more of what Southern Virginia has to offer, so we researched listings and picked a few wineries to visit. Read my recap below:

Local Roots

Local Roots is a farm-to-table restaurant in Roanoke, VA that highlights the lush farmlands of Southwest Virginia. We enjoyed the Sunday Supper which includes an individual choice of entrée, family-style salad, and two family-style sides to be shared at the table.

Palette 22

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Palette 22 offers a unique tapas experience in The Village at Shirlington. Palette 22 embraces art and creativity, incredible flavors from around the world, and showcases it all in a cool space.  Wrapped in the original Art Deco building from 1943, the interior of Palette 22 has been designed to look like an industrial artist’s studio. Everywhere you look, there’s something interesting to see.  We were invited in to check out the menu of globally-inspired dishes and experience the "food, art, fun".

Trattoria Villagio

Trattoria Villagio located in Clifton, VA combines the elegance of a Roman Trattoria with the fun and bustle of an Italian train station. Open daily for lunch and dinner, Villagio is renowned for its extensive wine selection, salimaria and hand crafted pasta dishes. It's a perfect location for a quick snack, a lingering meal, a big group, a family night out or even large social gatherings.  We recently visited to celebrate Father's Day.

Trummer's on Main

Set amongst the charming setting of Clifton, Virginia, Trummer's On Main is among the region's most outstanding dining experiences. Victoria and Stefan Trummer became the first New York restaurateurs to open a dining destination in Clifton. Located on Main Street in a historic town born out of the Civil War, Trummer's On Main is the creation of the husband and wife team, combining "small town charm with fabulous food and attentive service generally found in big food cities."

SlowFoodVastWine™

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With a mission to support local and sustainable farmers, artisans, and vintners in the Shenandoah Valley, SlowFoodVastWine™ is a premier food and wine event that this year supports the John XXIII Montessori Children’s Center in Front Royal, VA.

Black Bear Bistro & Brick Oven

Black Bear Bistro & Brick Oven located in Warrenton, VA offers the best of farm fresh local and organic ingredients with old-fashioned family value, and generous portions of great food at very reasonable pricing. All dishes are prepared to order using the finest produce, herbs, cheeses, breads and meats. Meals are complemented by excellent Virginia wines plus a great selection of Virginia brewed draft beer selections.  We stopped in for lunch on this 90 degree day.

Maple Ave Restaurant

Maple Ave Restaurant serves eclectic American cuisine in the heart of Vienna, Virginia. Open 7 days a week serving lunch Monday to Friday, dinner all week and brunch Saturday and Sunday, including several tasting menus. The seasonal menu celebrates locally-sourced ingredients paired with global techniques, served with elegance and flair.

Chart House

Chart House is the best river view restaurant in Old Town Alexandria. Whether dining outside on the patio or indoors, this seafood restaurant gives gorgeous panoramic views of the waterfront and the sparkling city. Popular for Sunday Brunch, Chart House specializes in dazzling views, unique cuisine and exceptional service. From fresh fish specialties, succulent steaks and slow-roasted prime rib, the renowned chefs of Chart House have tailored a menu that adds a unique touch to local flavors.

Taco Bamba

Taco Bamba is a takeout taqueria that reflects Chef Victor Albisu’s Cuban and Peruvian roots, and operates next to Plaza Latina in Falls Church, Virginia, a Latin market owned by his mother.  On our drive home from Virginia wine country, Keith and I stopped by for lunch one day, and I was surprised by how packed the small shop was.  Minimal seating is available inside, so most patrons took their order to-go.

Inn at Little Washington

For my birthday this year, Keith whisked me away to Virginia wine country.  For dinner, he made reservations at the illustrious Inn at Little Washington.  The Inn’s dining rooms are pure fantasy – "a wondrous cocoon of luxury. Rose-colored, silk lampshades float above each table creating a private, romantic world below. Chef Patrick O'Connell's creations arrive at one of the 30 intimate tables as if served by invisible hands, course after course more dazzling than the last."

Kogiya Korean BBQ

Kogiya Korean BBQ located in Annandale, VA offers traditional Korean dishes in a vibrant modern dining experience.  A young, energetic team is trained to be service-oriented and masters of the grill of quality ingredients like well-marbled short ribs and tender pork belly. Keith and I met up with my parents for lunch here.  My Mom was apprehensious at first, because she is pretty 'old school' when it comes to Korean food, and was pleasantly surprised to see so many young kids packed around the stainless steel bbq tables.  Luckily, she had called ahead so we did not have to wait long.

Carluccio's

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Carluccio's is an international Italian restaurant group that offers a unique combination of all-day dining coupled with an in-house market with over 80 imported products sourced direct from small artisan producers allover Italy. Founded in 1999 and named after the founder and acclaimed cook, author and TV personality Antonio Carluccio, the Carluccio’s group has over 100 restaurants operating internationally in the UK, Ireland, Turkey, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. On June 3, 2015, the first U.S. location opens in Alexandria, VA on the corner of King Street and South Union Street in Old Town.

Virtue Feed & Grain

Virtue Feed & Grain takes its name from the building's long-ago function as a feed house. This historic structure located at 106 South Union Street in Old Town, Alexandria, has been converted into a modern American tavern that now serves as a casual spot with great drinks and delicious food.  Closest Metro is King Street.