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Orange is easy to reach. It’s just a quick drive from several nearby cities. Orange County is a mere 30 minutes from Charlottesville; just over an hour from Richmond; and two hours from Washington, D.C. And if you’re visiting, you’ll want to explore the Orange County, VA, craft beverage trail!
Honoring tradition while adapting to the Virginia climate and land, the vineyards, breweries, and distillery showcase some of the best craft beverages that Virginia has to offer.
Orange County Virginia Vineyards
Orange County, VA, boasts nine wineries within its borders. Located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Orange County has the perfect weather and slopes that, combined, create a great environment to grow grapes. Using both traditional and newly honed techniques, these vineyards have created award-winning wines that rival those of Europe.
The vineyards and wineries below are arranged geographically.
WINERIES & VINEYARDS IN BARBOURSVILLE
Barboursville Vineyards
Located on a historic 18th-century estate, Barboursville Vineyards is the crown jewel of the Orange County vineyards. As the largest facility, Barboursville offers multiple settings for both wine and food. But don’t miss their flagship red wine, Octagon, voted by Wine Enthusiast as one of the top 100 wines in the world in 2023 – a high honor indeed!
Visitors can taste at their own leisure in the Discovery Tasting Room, where guests self-serve one-ounce pours from various machines that keep the wine at the ideal temperature. Staff is on hand to assist guests with any questions. For those who want a more guided experience, Library 1821 offers a leisurely opportunity to sample a variety of rotating wines. Plan on taking at least 90 minutes to enjoy the wines and try some of the delicious food pairings.
Weather permitting, grab a glass of your favorite selection from the Wine Barn and sit outside while enjoying views of the vineyards.
For an amazing culinary experience, visit the on-site Palladio Restaurant, harmonizing Virginian products with a Northern Italian-focused menu. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.
For the ultimate experience, book a room at the on-site 1804 Inn and Cottages. Guests are greeted with a bottle of wine and a cheese plate. After checking in, guests can enjoy the vineyards and all they offer, including a succulent dinner. In the morning, guests are greeted with a delicious homemade breakfast. It’s the perfect romantic getaway.
Address: 17655 Winery Road, Barboursville
Telephone: 540-832-3824
Reynard Florence Vineyard
The owners built their home on this land in 1980 and raised their children here. In 2006, they both graduated with degrees in enology and viticulture. Their goal was to maximize the use of the land, and a vineyard was the perfect solution, and they make European-style wines. The Petit Manseng is their featured grape.
The tasting room features cozy corners, and the outdoor seating showcases beautiful views of the vineyards. Grab a seat and a glass on Sundays and enjoy New Orleans-style jazz, weather permitting.
Address: 16109 Burnley Road, Barboursville
Telephone: 540-832-3895
The Barn at 678
Having opened its doors in June 2022, The Barn at 678 is the newest addition to the vineyards in the area. Choose from a glass of wine or a hard cider and meads. Offering a selection of whites, sparkling, and several red wines, the Barn also features fun seasonals like sangria and mulled wines, which can also be included in a flight.
One of the things the Barn excels at is its relaxing outdoor space – wouldn’t you love to hang out in these swings on a beautiful day?
Address: 6045 Governor Barbour Street, Barboursville
Telephone: 434-981-3793
WINERIES & VINEYARDS IN GORDONSVILLE
Honah Lee Vineyard
Established in 1992, Honah Lee Vineyard offers stunning views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. The Vineyard offers military discounts, which makes sense with so many military facilities nearby. Tastings include six wines, and you can also taste meads from nearby Saga Meadery. And don’t miss the slushies in the summer.
Visitors love the cute, quaint vineyard that they describe as a hidden gem. Most leave with several bottles! The Petit Manseng is a fan favorite.
Address: 13443 Honah Lee Farm Drive, Gordonsville
Telephone: 540-406-1313
Horton Vineyards
Starting in 1989, and eventually developing into its own cellar, Horton Vineyards was one of the first to explore growing French Rhone Valley Viognier grapes. It also used a system known as the “open lyre” training system, which uses drip irrigation to promote ideal ripening. In 1993, Horton Vineyards added several other varieties of grapes.
Their expertise and willingness to try different cellar options have led to the awarding of many medals and accolades. Visitors can try tastings, flights, glasses, or bottles. There are even two wine clubs available – a monthly club and a fill-the-cellar. It’s great to see how they’ve grown and exploded in the last three decades!
Address: 6399 Spotswood Trail, Gordonsville
Telephone: 540-832-7440
Well Hung Vineyard
Aside from the humorous name, which is carried through onto the wine names, this vineyard’s tasting room is perfectly located on Main Street in Gordonsville. Yes, I must be a teenage boy at heart but with names like Pop Your Cork, Creamy Dreams, Pillow Talk, Under the Table, and my favorite, Happy Ending. But the catchy names belies the serious flavors on offer – I brought home a Happy Ending, one of the smoothest ports I’ve tasted.
Well Hung offers tastings, wine flights, or glasses of their wines. They also serve wine slushies such as the Creamy Dreams Peppermint Slushy and fruitier options. Join their wine club if you’d like to have first dibs at their new offerings. And bring home some of their hilarious t-shirts, aprons, and salty nuts.
Address: 300 S. Main Street, Gordonsville
Telephone: 540-406-5164
ORANGE WINERIES & VINEYARDS
Chateau MerrillAnne Vineyard
With its first vintage in 2012, Chateau MerrillAnne is an unassuming stop in Orange. Made on a working farm and sold out of an old barn, Chateau MerrillAnne is an unexpected treasure that delivers award-winning wine. Visitors can order tastings, flights, and full glasses.
Address: 16234 Marquis Road, Orange
Telephone: 540-656-6177
Woodbrook Farm Vineyard
This family owned and operated vineyard and tasting room currently offers nine varietals. The vineyard was planted in 2022 and added to in 2023. The tasting room offers both tastings and flights, and guests can opt into a wine club. We look forward to seeing what this vineyard has to offer in the upcoming years.
Address: 11461 Spicers Mill Road, Orange
Telephone: 540-219-1874
UNIONVILLE WINERIES & VINEYARDS
Sweet Vines Farm Winery
Opening its doors in December 2021, Sweet Vines Farm Winery was started by an African-American woman. A 2008 Girls Saturday Fun Day with three friends led to a winemaking journey that created the basis for today’s Sweet Vines.
Not only does Sweet Vines offer a tasting, but for a unique experience, try their popcorn pairing tasting! Sweet Vines also offers winery tours if you want to avoid driving yourself.
Address: 14376 Tower Road, Unionville
Telephone: 703-942-9336
Orange County Virginia Breweries
With so much competition from the fabulous vineyards, the craft beer scene has taken a back seat. But you can still find some delicious and tasty cool drafts. After all, it wouldn’t be an Orange County VA craft beverage trail without some awesome breweries!
Iron Pipe Alewerks
Run by a father and son team, Iron Pipe Alewerks is ideally located in Orange. The brewery offers several lighter ABV craft beers, playfully named. On tap you’ll find beers such as “Ma, the Meatloaf!” (a wheat beer), Gandalf the Haze (a hazy), Betty Wit (a Belgian blonde), and S.M.A.S.H. For Stache (an IPA). The setting is like a neighborhood restaurant and bar, popular with locals.
And nothing goes better with a cool pint than a delicious pizza or wings. Iron Pipe offers what has been voted as the best pizza in Central Virginia. Their baked wings will keep you coming back.
Address: 323 North Madison Road, Orange
Telephone: 540-212-8773
Patch Brewing Company
Housed in a former VFW building, Patch Brewing in Gordonsville is one of the largest brewery spaces I’ve visited. I mean – they have their own baseball field! Inside, a large stage welcomes live music acts. There is also a dog park and a “kids area away from me” area. Inside, guests will also find lots of board games and pinball machines. There is truly something for everyone.
Patch Brewing’s Home Run Hefe is a gold medal winner at the 2023 Virginia Craft Beer Cup. They also have clever beer names like Dual Citizen (dry Irish stout), Last Mango in Paris (a fruited wheat), and You’ll Smoke Your Rye Out (smoked rye lager). Food is provided by the attached County Line Food Truck, offering burgers and other fare.
Address: 10271 Gordon Avenue, Gordonsville
Telephone: 540-466-8536
Unionville Brewing Company
Affectionately known as UBC, this brewery uses products from its own farm as well as other local providers. Focusing on traditional Belgian and German beers, UBC also serves spiked seasonal teas and lemonades, as well as beer cocktails, making it popular with a wider audience. Participate in one of their community events, like trivia and karaoke.
To accompany your draft, choose one of their pizzas or subs – they even do take out now!
Address: 24333 Narrow Gauge Road, Unionville
Telephone: 540-406-2951
Orange County VA Distillery
Virginia Foothills Distillery & Co.
The area’s first distillery is set to open any day. Their first batch of Single Barrel Blind Preacher, a rye bourbon whiskey made from American grown ingredients was ready on December 16, 2023. So it’s just a matter of time for the doors to open for the public. Check it out!
While we await the opening, try out their cafe, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Tuesday through Sunday.
Address: 5361 Spotswood Trail, Gordonsville
Drinking Tours of Orange County VA
If you want to visit multiple destinations along the Orange County craft beverage trail, select a designated driver amongst your group. No one wants to be the DD? That’s okay, several providers can help you out! Book with Central Virginia Wine Tours & Transportation, Cville Hop on Tours, or with Sweet Vines Farm Winery, will either take you on a set tour or allow you to create your own.
Final Thoughts on Orange County VA Craft Beverage Trail
Visitors to this Central Virginia county will be wowed by the quality and tradition behind the area’s award winning wines. Enjoy a glass while enjoying scenic views and delicious treats before or after exploring everything that the area has to offer.
Check out these other related posts:
- Winchester Virginia Craft Beverage Trail
- Weekend Itinerary for Winchester Virginia
- 20+ Things to Do in Woodstock, VA
I want to thank Visit Orange Virginia for hosting my visit. As always, my posts accurately reflect my experiences and opinions.
Happy travels,
Annick, The Common Traveler
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Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. As an empty-nester, Annick enjoys sharing her tips for traveling for those with champagne taste and beer budgets.