The Heart of Virginia Wine Trail Guide
Image Credit: Heart of Virginia Wine Trail
The Heart of Virginia Wine Trail is one of my favorite nearby wine trails to visit — and it is the closest one to Richmond, so it makes for a fun weekend activity!
On this trail, you can enjoy a tasting at five participating wineries while you enjoy the countryside as you drive from winery to winery.
Insider tip: You can buy a Heart of Virginia Wine Trail passport online (or at any of the participating wineries) and it is just $20 per passport, which includes a tasting at each winery and a commemorative HOVA wine glass! The value is pretty remarkable, since tasting prices vary from $7-10 dollars per winery and you’re getting them at just $4 a pop with the passport.
by Paige Poprocky - Contributing Writer
*Under the current circumstances, please follow all city, state, and federal guidelines surrounding social distancing and use of face coverings. Use your best judgment to determine if an area is too populated to safely distance yourself from others.
James River Cellars
James River Cellars is located about ten minutes from the city. During your visit, you will taste a variety of white, red, and sweet wine. James River produces over 16 different wines, so you’re bound to leave enjoying something!
Their list is extensive, ranging from a bold Touriga to a dry Gewurztraminer. They also just released their new canned wines! The value of their wine is amazing, as most of their bottles are under $20! Post-tasting, you can even enjoy one of the frozen wine slushies while relaxing on their beautiful deck or balcony, though they do also have ample inside seating upstairs as well as downstairs.
Location: 11008 Washington Hwy
Hours: Sunday - Thursday, 11 am - 6 pm; Friday, 11 am - 6:30 pm; Saturday, 11 - 7 pm
Image Source: Mattaponi Winery Facebook
Mattaponi Winery
Mattaponi Winery is always such a treat! They often have fun pairings you can do with the traditional tasting, which enhance the wine and make the tasting more interactive. A fan favorite is their wine and cheesecake pairing — delish!
They have a lot of fruit wine and are particularly well-known for their delicious strawberry wine, Odeimin. This wine often sells out as soon as it is released! A few other favorites are their Chambourcin, Tibik-Kizismin Blueberry, and their Sangria.
With plenty of indoor seating and outdoor seating, this is just the place to enjoy a glass.
Location: 7530 Morris Rd
Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm
Image Source: Lake Anna Winery Facebook
Lake Anna Winery
Lake Anna Winery is a pretty popular spot, especially for the locals. With a lively atmosphere, you’ll be sure to have a good time!
The folks at Lake Anna pride themselves in making a diverse array of wines for a wide range of palates. Their tasting includes a variety of whites, reds, and sweets. Some fan favorites include their Lake Side Sunset, Lake Side White, and their Spotsylvania Claret – a blend of Merlot, Cab Franc and Chambourcin.
Once you find something to enjoy, you can grab a glass and sit inside their tasting room or out on their porch!
Location: 5621 Courthouse Rd
Hours: Wednesday - Saturday, 11 am - 5 pm; Sunday, 1 pm - 5 pm
Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard
Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard may be the 53rd winery in Virginia, but it should be #1 on you list of wineris to visit! Their tasting room is stunning, with a beautiful porch to sit and enjoy a glass (or bottle) of wine.
Their tasting and wine list is extensive; some favorites include their Vidal Blanc, Rose, Petit Verdot, and Two Springs Red.
This is the perfect winery to pack a picnic and soak up the view of the vineyard.
Location: 13372 Shannon Hill Rd
Hours: Monday - Sunday, 11 am - 5 pm
Grayhaven Winery
If you want a unique wine experience, head to Grayhaven Winery. This winery is so distinctive because they specialize in small batch production. They bottle nearly once a week, so each time you visit, it is likely that you will taste something new. Their list generally has 4 - 7 wines you can taste.
I encourage you to go and sit at their bar, order a cheese plate, enjoy a glass, and chat! If you want more space, pack a blanket and sit down by their pond. They also have a few tables by their tasting room.
P.S. the sangria is to die for!
Location: 4675 E Gray Fox Circle
Hours: Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday 11 am - 5 pm; Saturday, 11 am - 6 pm
Info on HOVA
You do not need to complete the Heart of Virginia wine trail in one day*. Once you complete your ticket, however long that may take you, be sure to turn it in! Your ticket goes into a drawing where you can win wine from the participating wineries.
*Sips and Trips Tip – However, the order of the wineries as I’ve listed them here is the order I would drive if I were completing the trail in one day! Just in case you’re feeling ambitious.
Another awesome thing these wineries do is host festivals. A fan favorite is the April Fools Wine Festival at James River Cellars. These same 5 participating wineries come to James River, where you pay the price of admission and sample wine from all wineries in one location. This is a great option instead of driving to all the different wineries!
This city guide was contributed by Paige Poprocky, author of the blog Sips and Trips with Paige.
Sips and Trips with Paige is a wine, travel, and experience blog that revolves around wine adventures, travel, and date night experiences.