April is Vineyard Month in Virginia, and we think the best way to celebrate is with a perfect pairing of wine, cheese, and artisanal meats. We’ve compiled a pro-list of wineries, restaurants and shops offering the best of Virginia Wine paired with mouthwatering cheese and charcuterie plates. If we missed one of your favorite spots offering this epicurean combo, let us know in the comments below!

– CENTRAL VIRGINIA –

Barboursville Vineyards – Gordonsville

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Barboursville Vineyards, Virginia’s oldest vineyard established in 1976, is Italian-owned and operated by only two winemakers since its inception. Not-surprisingly Palladio, the onsite restaurant, will make you feel like you’ve stepped right into Tuscany with their Italian labeled dishes that deliver on every promise.

Try the Piatto Di Salumi e Pate’ Nostrani – selection of house made charcuterie, house cured sausages, pâtés & condiments.

View the full menu here.

Early Mountain Vineyards – Madison

Early Mountain proudly pairs its wines with the best seasonal produce from local farms, artisanal cheeses from craft cheese mongers and charcuterie made in-house. They also offer an ever-changing “Best of Virginia” selection of wines allowing guests to sample the finest wines from all over the state. Try these menu items:

  • Artisanal Cheese Board – cheeses, creamed honey, seasonal mostarda, marcona almonds
  • Artisanal Charcuterie Board – cured meats, spicy mustard, housemade pickles

View the full menu here.

Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards – Albemarle

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The tasting room at Pippin Hill features artisan cuisine that complements their wine and reflects their vineyard-to-table philosophy. As part of the Wine Pairing menu you’ll find their wines paired with seasonally inspired dishes, highlighting the freshest ingredients from local farms and their very own Kitchen Garden. Try these menu items:

  • Charcuterie – three local & international cured meats, marinated olives, arugula pesto. Pairs with Cannon Red or Rosé.
  • The PHF Board – chef’s choice of two cheeses, two cured meats, traditional accoutrements. Pairs with Sauvignon Blanc or Merlot Reserve.

View the Wine Pairing Menu here.

Union Market – Richmond

Union Market is a neighborhood staple in Union Hill, next to Church Hill, offering fresh locally baked bread, a seasonal menu of salads and sandwiches, and a grocery packed with local fare and brews. Create your own charcuterie board from their chalkboard list of meats and cheeses then grab a bottle of Virginia wine to enjoy on the string lit outdoor patio when the weather warms up.

View the full menu here.

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– COASTAL VIRGINIA, CHESAPEAKE BAY & THE EASTERN SHORE –

Upper Shirley Vineyards – Charles City

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Experience the magic of Upper Shirley Vineyards, a one-of-a-kind estate, winery, restaurant and wedding venue perched above one of the most scenic bends on the James River. The Winery is 30 minutes from downtown Richmond and 35 minutes from Williamsburg, located just off Route 5 and the Capital Bike Trail. The estate boasts history and scenic beauty on an epic scale and with an abundance of culinary riches—bottomland produce, fresh-caught seafood—and world-class wines made from their own estate-grown grapes. Try these menu items:

  • Vineyard Board – Selection of Artisan Salami & Meats Manchego De La Mancha, House-made Pimento Cheese, House-made Conserva, Creole Mustard, Pickled Vegetables & Baguette
  • Cheeses From Here & There – Three Virginia & International Cheeses Paired with AR’s Southern Hot Honey, Fruits, Nuts & House-Made Crackers

View the full menu here.

Mermaid Winery – Norfolk & Virginia Beach

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Mermaid Winery is Virginia’s first urban winery located in the charming Ghent neighborhood of Norfolk with a second location in Virginia Beach. You’ll find many familiar wines as well as Virginia varietals at the tasting bar where you can also view their winemaking process. Try the Cheese & Charcuterie Board – choose three or four from a list of meats and cheeses.

View the full menu here.

The Cheese Shop – Williamsburg

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Since 1971, The Cheese Shop has been promoting great cheese from all over the world. Belly-up to the cheese counter and sample your way to a perfect selection of cheeses. Their expert staff will help craft a platter for you to enjoy on their front patio or to take home for snacking or entertaining. You’ll find Virginia cheese from Caramont Farm, Goats R Us, Lovers Retreat Dairy, and Meadow Creek Dairy.

With their extensive selection of cheeses, there’s also no shortage of wine and accoutrements for pairing.

Eat: An American Bistro – Virginia Beach

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Eat: An American Bistro is an eclectic restaurant with creative renditions of seafood, steaks, burgers & vegetarian fare. Grab a cocktail or craft beer on the outdoor patio located just off the boardwalk in Virginia Beach. Try these items on the menu:

  • Artisan Cheeses – handcrafted cheeses, house-made pickles, truffle acacia honey, everything crackers
  • Deluxe Charcuterie – house-made assorted fresh and dry cured meats, grain mustard, pickles, hand selected cheeses

View the full menu here.

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– SOUTHWEST & SOUTHERN VIRGINIA –

The River & Rail – Roanoke

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The River & Rail serves up rustic and regional cuisine with many items made from scratch, like house-cured meats, house-made condiments and pickled vegetables. The wine list features Virginia favorites from Chrysalis Vineyards, Veritas Vineyards, Blenheim Vineyards, and Michael Shaps. Try these menu items:

  • Farmstead Cheese selection – three Cheeses, rye crackers, and accoutrements
  • Salumi Board – bourbon mustard, house pickles, and grilled bread

View the full menu here.

Chateau Morrissette – Floyd

Chateau Morrissette Winery is perched right off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd County with sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy their rustic farm to table fare by the fireside during cooler months or outside on the terrace during warmer months. They also offer seasonal events such as summer "Black Dog Concerts" and "Winemaker's Dinners" all in an elegant, old world atmosphere. Try these menu items:

  • Cheese Platter – Meadowcreek Appalachian Cheese (Galax, VA), house-made marmalade, pickles, bread. Pair with Chardonnay Reserve.
  • Winemaker’s Platter – cured meats, local cheeses, roasted grapes, pickles, preserves, mustard, and bread. Pair with Our Dog Blue®.

View the full menu here.

Whitebarrel Winery – Christiansburg & Blacksburg

Whitebarrel Winery, rebranded from Attimo Winery in 2015, is nestled in the New River Valley and practices ancient wine making techniques where production is exclusively done by hand. Whitebarrel recently opened a satellite wine and tapas bar in Blacksburg and is soon to open additional locations in Richmond, Northern Virginia, as well as a new east coast “Wine Truck.” Each location serves a full tapas-style menu with small plates that complement their wines, many of which are from Virginia.

Try the Charcuterie Board – Choose 3 or 6 meats and cheeses, served with homemade pâté & artisan crackers, olives, & fruit; with mustard and local jams.

View the full menu here.

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– NORTHERN VIRGINIA –

Potomac Point Winery – Stafford

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Potomac Point Vineyard and Winery is an old-world, Tuscan-styled vineyard and winery located just outside of Washington, DC in Stafford, Virginia. Potomac Point specializes in wine tastings, tours, weddings, catering and events. Bring your own picnic to pair with Potomac Point’s award-winning wines on their beautiful courtyard. Or pick from the full bistro menu including these artisan cheese platters:

  • White Wine Cheese Platter – Belletoile Brie, Truffle Honey Goat Cheese, Aged Gouda
  • Red Wine Cheese Platter – Manchego, Peppered Pecorino, Merlot Bellavitano
  • Le Grand Cru Platter – Peppered Pecorino, Merlot Bellavitano, Truffle Honey Goat Cheese, Prosciutto, Soppressata, Calabrese

868 Estate Vineyards – Loudoun

Visit 868 Estate Vineyards’ onsite restaurant, Grandale’s Viniter’s Table, for a local upscale menu in a relaxed winery setting. Enjoy the seasonally selected menu featuring wines from 868 Estate Vineyards as well as thoughtfully chosen wines from other regions of Virginia and the world. Try these menu items:

  • Cheese & Olive Board – handcrafted artisan cheeses, marinated blend of olives
  • Antipasto Plank – mix of house made, local, and European sliced charcuterie with seasonal pickles
  • Cheese, Meat & Olive Board – Two chef’s choice cheese, marinated blend of olives, two chef’s choice charcuterie

View the full menu here.

Greenhill Winery & Vineyards – Middleburg

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Experience Virginia wine in an authentic farm winery setting. Greenhill is a lovely boutique destination winery in Loudoun County with a friendly and professional staff delivering quality wine in a breathtaking Virginia Wine Country environment. The tasting menu includes these cheese boards and more:

  • Cheese Board – A selection of imported & domestic cheeses served with a warm baguette
  • Cheese & Charcuterie Board – Imported & domestic cheeses served with a variety of aged meets & a warm baguette
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– VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS & SHENANDOAH VALLEY –

CrossKeys Vineyards – Rockingham

CrossKeys Vineyards is located ten miles south of Harrisonburg in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley delivering gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The family-owned vineyard specializes in exquisite wine and delicious food as well as offering a wonderful venue for weddings, parties, and corporate events. Visit the bistro and try these menu items:

  • Cheese Flight – A montage of domestic and international cheeses, fresh and dried fruits, olives, and nuts. Pair with Meritage.
  • CrossKeys Sampler – a combination of charcuterie, cheeses, olives, nuts, and fruit. Pair with Cabernet Sauvignon.

View the full menu here.

Bella Luna Wood Fired Pizza – Harrisonburg

Bella Luna features hand-crafted, farm-fresh food in a warm and inviting environment. Located in the historic Livery Building in downtown Harrisonburg, Bella Luna offers wood-fired pizzas, hand-made pastas, fresh seasonal salads and sandwiches, and delectable desserts. The bar boasts a wide selection of local microbrews and hard ciders on tap, hand-selected wines and artisan cocktails.

Try the Antipasto Platter – cured meats, artisan cheese, seasonal vegetables, and hearth bread.

View the full menu here.

Local Chop & Grill House – Harrisonburg

Local Chop & Grill House is located in a historic produce exchange warehouse in Downtown Harrisonburg. Their dedication to supporting local artists, craftsmen, and family farms is shown through the fresh and seasonal menu. Enjoy local flavors with dishes of high quality steaks and chops, poultry, house-made charcuterie, organically grown produce and fresh baked goods.

Try the Chef’s Artisanal Plate – an assortment of salt cured meats and local cheese served with grilled baguette, various pickles, mustard and seasonal compote.

View the full menu here.

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