Raise a Glass to the 10 Best Wineries Near Charlottesville, VA
Virginia wine country hits different, and nowhere is that more true than around Charlottesville. It’s all rolling vineyards, Blue Ridge Mountain views, and wine good enough to write home about. Whether you're a rosé-all-day person or a diehard red wine fan, these 10 wineries in Charlottesville promise to take you on a sip-by-sip adventure to remember.
Can’t decide where to sip first? We crunched the ratings from Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google into one easy 10-point score. Think of it as your cheat sheet to Charlottesville’s best pours, though honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of them. Let’s count down from 10 to 1.
10. Afton Mountain Vineyards (7.8/10)
Address: 234 Vineyard Ln, Afton, VA 22920
Plenty of wineries boast nice scenery, but Afton Mountain Vineyards has a view so good that you might forget Instagram exists. As one of Virginia’s OG vineyards (founded in ’78), it’s been blending stellar wines with mountain magic for decades.
In fact, Afton grows 11 kinds of grapes, which means plenty of ways to fill your glass, from crisp Albariño and floral Gewürztraminer to smooth, deep reds like Cabernet Franc. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of place, too.
Stake out a spot in the pavilion, grab a picnic table, or sprawl on the grass with your snacks. Or go full “main character in a rom-com” with their Sip & Saddle horseback ride.
9. Hazy Mountain Vineyards (7.8/10)
Address: 240 Hazy Mountain Ln, Afton, VA 22920
Perched on the Blue Ridge ridgeline, Hazy Mountain Vineyards pairs wow-worthy scenery with grapes grown in two of Virginia’s best wine regions. Translation: the view’s incredible, and so is what’s in your glass.
The tasting room is equal parts airy and elegant, with open seating on the lawn, a breezy umbrella patio, and a covered terrace so you can stay cozy when the weather turns. You’ll find everything from crisp whites to bold reds, plus craft beer for anyone who needs a break from the grape.
Hungry? Order bites straight to your table, or time your visit for one of their themed dinners or live events—Taylor Swift–inspired 13-course meal, anyone?
8. Jefferson Vineyards (8.3/10)
Address: 1353 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Wine with a side of history? Yes, please. Just 10 minutes from downtown Charlottesville, Jefferson Vineyards sits on the same land where Thomas Jefferson first tried to grow grapes nearly 250 years ago.
These days, it’s all about easygoing vibes, with rolling hills, live music on the lawn, and a comfy tasting room. Their Viognier steals the spotlight (and plenty of awards), but you’ll also love the crisp Riesling, smooth Meritage reds, and a refreshing rosé that’s picnic-perfect.
Pair your flight with bites from The Vine food truck, find a sunny spot with a view, and toast to Virginia wine done right. If Jefferson could see this place now, he’d probably raise a glass right alongside you.
7. Barboursville Vineyards (8.4/10)
Address: 17655 Winery Rd, Barboursville, VA 22923
If Virginia wine country had a crown jewel, Barboursville Vineyards would be in the running. Founded in 1976 by Italian winemaker Gianni Zonin, the estate brought Thomas Jefferson’s long-ago dream of local viticulture to life and did it with serious style.
Here, you’ll find over 800 acres of history, along with a few surprises, including the Landmark Ruins of a 1800s Jefferson-designed mansion. Tastings range from casual Discovery Room flights to the elegant Library 1821, where you can sample older vintages alongside tasty seasonal goodies galore.
Barboursville’s star wine is Octagon, a rich Bordeaux-style red blend that’s earned plenty of awards, but you’ll also find refreshing whites like Viognier and Vermentino, plus Italian classics like Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. Yummers.
6. Blenheim Vineyards (8.4/10)
Address: 31 Blenheim Farm, Charlottesville, VA 22902
If you like your wine with a side of rock-star cred, you’re in luck because Blenheim Vineyards definitely delivers. (Oh yes, that Dave Matthews co-founded the place and even designs the labels for their collectible Painted Series.)
The vibe is ultra-relaxed, with a tasting room featuring glass floors that allow you to peek down at the wine production happening below. You can sip inside at the bar, grab a picnic table on the deck, or post up under the tent with a flight, glass, or bottle.
Their Painted Red and Painted White blends are crowd-pleasers (and fun to collect), but you’ll also find solid Albariño, Cabernet Franc, and so much more. Add in the occasional food truck and live music, and it’s basically a mini wine festival for all to enjoy.
5. Pollak Vineyards (8.5/10)
Address: 330 Newtown Rd, Greenwood, VA 22943
Small but mighty, Pollak Vineyards has been working its magic since 2003, proof that good things really do come in boutique packages. With 34 acres of classic French grapes (hello, Viognier and Cabernet Franc), their wines lean elegant but stay refreshingly down-to-earth.
The tasting room and patio overlook a pond, rows of vines, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a setup that practically begs you to cancel the rest of your afternoon plans. Grab a flight or a glass, then just kick back and watch the light change over the hills.
Want peak vineyard vibes? Swing by for Final Fridays (the last Friday of every month through summer) where music, food trucks, and sunsets team up for the perfect evening.
4. Keswick Vineyards (8.6/10)
Address: 1575 Keswick Winery Dr, Keswick, VA 22947
Keswick Vineyards knows how to keep things classy without compromising on fun. They’ve been winning big since 2002 (including a pair of Governor’s Cups), but don’t expect any snobbery, just great pours, good conversation, and plenty of reasons to linger long after your tasting’s done.
You’re always welcome to sip your way through award-winning wines in their laid-back courtyard. Come on Wednesdays for late-night tastings with live music. Oh, and be sure to stop by their Barrel & Board kitchen for the snacks to keep you sipping.
Last but not least, there’s mini golf. It’s not your typical vineyard perk. But sinking a putt between glasses of Viognier feels like a true wine-country flex.
3. King Family Vineyards (8.9/10)
Address: 6550 Roseland Farm, Crozet, VA 22932
Want to see what Virginia wine is all about? Head to King Family Vineyards in Crozet, about 15 minutes from Charlottesville. This family-run winery has been crushing it since 1998, and the Blue Ridge Mountain views alone are worth the trip. But the Sunday polo matches definitely add an extra dose of charm.
No need to stress about reservations or what to wear, either. Just roll up and start sipping. You get to pick whether you want to explore on your own or have their team guide you through the tasting. Either way, don’t miss their Meritage red or the Crosé rosé.
Dogs? Kids? Picnic basket? Be sure to bring 'em all, then post up on the lawn or at a patio table for a full day of fun.
2. Gabriele Rausse Winery (9.0/10)
Address: 3247 Carters Mountain Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Tucked into Carter’s Mountain, Gabriele Rausse Winery feels like a secret garden for grown-ups who like their wine with a side of fresh mountain air. The tastings are outdoors, shaded by trees, with no frills. It’s just you, the view, and some seriously crush-worthy wines like Grüner Veltliner and Rosato.
Score a spot at their Set of Six release party, and you’ll feel like part of an inner circle. Not only do you get dibs on the freshest seasonal wines, but you also get to meet the makers, hear the stories behind each bottle, and sip along while getting a peek into the cellar secrets.
1. Eastwood Farm and Winery (9.1/10)
Address: 2531 Scottsville Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Just a winery? Not a chance. Eastwood Farm and Winery is the best winery on this list and your new favorite hangout disguised as a vineyard. Five minutes from downtown Charlottesville, this women-owned gem is where mountain views, raspberry vines, and wine slushies team up to ruin any chance of “just staying for an hour.”
Sip a gold-medal Rosé on the veranda while live music drifts in from the barn, or dive into baked brie so good it might deserve its own trophy. Kids get juice flights, dogs get the lawn, you get award-winning wine, and ta-da, everyone’s happy.
Between oyster feasts, sunset dance parties, and club-member exclusives, Eastwood brings the weekend energy every day. Come for the wine, stay because you can’t resist the vibe.
Sip, Stay, and Savor Every Moment at Charlottesville Wineries
Sure, you could head out after the last sip. But why rush back home when all the best wineries are calling for an encore? Instead, do yourself a favor and kick back at one of Stay Charlottesville’s charming rentals. After all, the only thing better than Virginia wine country by day is a cozy spot to toast it all by night.
