Virginia wine lovers spend their free time exploring the most celebrated wine trails throughout the Commonwealth, from the Shenandoah Valley to the Charlottesville area and into Northern Virginia, visiting vineyards with friends and family, taking in the stunning (and varied) landscapes of Virginia, and of course enjoying delicious wines. Virginia is known for its understated and subtle beauty that reflects the best of its historic features, so to showcase Virginia’s best, here is a collection of favorite scenic country inns. Plan a breathtaking weekend getaway featuring Virginia’s finest inns and most wonderful wineries.
The Farmhouse at Veritas—Afton
Photo Credit: Carlita Pitts, @iamthelita
30 miles from the heart of Charlottesville, the Farmhouse at Veritas is a charming farmhouse inn on 250 acres of farmland on the outskirts of Afton Mountain. Established in 1839, The Farmhouse at Veritas was originally the Hodson family home. This authentic and timeless inn opened its doors to the public in 2012 and is known for its wine, chef-prepared cooking, and farmhouse comfort. With rooms that overlook the Blue Ridge Mountains and the surrounding vineyards, farmhouse dinners featuring chilled corn bisque, rack of lamb, and smoked salmon (to name just a few), and ‘Sunday Sparkling Brunch’ with wine and a three-course meal, the inn is the perfect place for a luxurious and peaceful getaway.
What to Do Near Veritas
The farmhouse is also part of a larger undertaking—Veritas Vineyards & Winery. Founders Andrew and Patricia Hodson are at the head of this family endeavor, so while guests enjoy the elegance the farmhouse has to offer, they can also tour the vineyard and fully appreciate Andrew and Patricia’s vision for this land rich in history and beauty. Their three children all actively participate in the vineyard venture, one of the most successful in the region. The wines here have won awards at a variety of competitions and a visit to Veritas Vineyards & Winery will always be reliably wonderful.
Within a short drive, Afton Mountain Vineyards provides a similar escape with owners Elizabeth and Tony Smith running the show with their hands-on work ethic during harvesting seasons. For other wineries that focus on Virginia’s roots, Flying Fox Vineyards, Pollak Vineyards, and Blue Mountain Brewery are a few other beauties to tour nearby!
Goodstone Inn & Restaurant—Middleburg
Photo Credit: Jumping Rocks Photography, @jumpingrocksphoto
Located in Middleburg, Virginia, the famed hunt country is home to fox hunting and steeplechases as well as the exquisite Goodstone Inn & Restaurant, a 265-acre estate and tranquil rest stop for weary travelers hoping to explore a hidden gem of Virginia. Originally owned by Jamie “the Scot” Leith who supposedly sold provisions to the Continental Army in the 1700s, this northern Virginia land has a distinct place in Virginia history. Today, guests can choose to stay in sumptuously appointed rooms at the Inn or reserve one of the charming luxury cottages scattered throughout the amazing gardens. With award-winning dining, this incredible property is a foodie’s dream. The farm provides much of the fresh produce and flowers for the property and is home to an assortment of charming farm animals.
Photo Credit: Lisa Petty
What to Do Near the Goodstone Inn
Consider a visit to Cana Vineyards & Winery, a 43-acre wine estate enveloped by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Their winemaker, Melanie Natoli, is the first female to win the Virginia Governor's Cup in the history of the modern formally judged competition. And staying true to Middleburg’s equestrian spirit, the town hosts The Middleburg Spring Races every April in Glenwood Park where you can enjoy one of the town’s oldest traditions. Also held nearby are the world-class Upperville Colt and Horse Show and the International Gold Cup.
The Inn at Willow Grove—Orange
Photo Credit: Aaron Watson, @aaronwatsonphotography
Doubling as a wedding venue and relaxing retreat, The Inn at Willow Grove accentuates the area’s ties to wine country and noteworthy history. Located in Orange and featuring sumptuous 18th-century architecture, the inn has four-star dining, various luxurious rooms uniquely deceorated, and extensive farmland perfect for any event. Farm-to-table gourmet meals in their on-site restaurant, premier suites with private patios, and a 3,000-square-foot spa mirroring a bucolic red barn with a saltwater pool await you at the Inn at Willow Grove.
Photo Credit: Hank Gregg
What to Do Near the Inn at Willow Grove
Within a 15-minute drive, any traveler can easily locate James Madison’s home at Montpelier, where colonial Virginia history comes to life. Afterwards, visit the Market at Grelen, a 1,000-acre property open to the public that includes miles of walking trails, berry picking, an adorable café and shop, and a nursery carrying all sorts of interesting plants grown on-site.
Image Courtesy of Barboursville Vineyards
And a trip to this region is not complete without wine tasting. Luckily, there are three amazing vineyards within a short drive. Barboursville Vineyards, the region’s most awarded winery, showcases Virginia’s terroir with award-winning wines and gourmet meals at their elegant Palladio Restaurant. At the nearby Horton Vineyards, you can sample a surprisingly vast array of wine varieties created by the nationally recognized Horton family. And lastly, Early Mountain Vineyards, founded by Jean and Steve Case, has based their visitor experience on an excellent pairing of local foods and wonderful wines.
L’Auberge Provençale—Boyce
Photo Credit: Jumping Rocks Photography, @jumpingrocksphoto
In the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, this French country B&B offers Provençale-style rooms and suites. Each morning, enjoy a fresh breakfast featuring a blend of French and American cuisine at its restaurant, La Table Provençale. The vibrant rooms, aromatherapy steam showers, and views of grassy meadows complete the French feel. The inn is perfect for guests searching for a calming getaway that delivers the flavors of France without a transcontinental flight.
Image Courtesy of The Inn at Little Washington
What to Do Near L'Auberge Provençale
Nearby, the famed Inn at Little Washington, the only three-star Michelin restaurant in the D.C. area as of 2019, dazzles every customer with its distinguished American Cuisine personally crafted by Chef and proprietor Patrick O’Connell. And neighboring Patty O’s Café will delight gourmands with dishes from O’Connell’s childhood.
Photo Credit: Jeff Maurtizen, @jeffmauritzen
For oenophiles, wineries within an easy drive include Philip Carter Winery, whose owners have three centuries of family history in Fauquier County, and RdV Vineyards, known for showcasing the best flavors all the way from Bordeaux, France.
It is evident that Virginia is rich in world-class wine, recreation, and historical venues. From the historic Goodstone Inn’s emphasis on ‘the good life’ complete with decadent décor and romantically rural landscapes to L’Auberge Provencale, a French country delight that contemplates the sophisticated, a dream getaway filled with historic and enriching sights to visit is a moment away. Wineries with immense thought and passion behind them and B&Bs with a unique vision and dedicated staff await on your next trip to Virginia.