October is Virginia Wine Month and is a perfect time for wine lovers to visit Charlottesville, VA. With cooler fall temperatures, leaves turning all shades of yellow, orange, and red, and dozens of wineries to choose from, a weekend (or longer) getaway might be in order.

Why Virginia? Virginia’s wine industry has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few decades. In 1980 there were fewer than ten wineries in the state. Today there are more than 300.

Why Charlottesville? Charlottesville sits in the heart of the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA) that was named the Wine Region of the Year in 2023 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The magazine awarded the prize because of the Monticello AVA’s unique history, wine quality, diversity, inclusiveness, sustainability, and collaboration. And with many wineries, plus breweries, cideries, and distilleries, in the area, there’s definitely a beverage for everyone.

The Wineries

For the most comprehensive list of wineries in the area, check out the Monticello Wine Trail, which provides information on the more than 40 member wineries. (Note: There are other wineries in the Monticello AVA that are not members of the Monticello Wine Trail.)

Here are a few of my favorites:

Southwest Mountains Vineyards is a boutique estate winery in Keswick, VA about a 20-minute drive from Charlottesville. Centered around a restored 1903-barn, the vibe is modern rustic and relaxed with comfortable indoor and outdoor seating and no sense of pretense. My favorite wines here are the Cabernet Franc and the Petit Verdot, but I highly recommend getting a flight. (The flight pours are generous!)

Pollak Vineyards is located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains about 25 miles west of Charlottesville and has terrific views to go right along with terrific wines. There’s definitely a French influence to Pollak’s wines, especially with French-born Benoit Pineau at the winemaking helm. I recommend getting a bottle of Cabernet Franc and enjoying it on the cover porch overlooking the vineyard and pond. A great way to spend an afternoon.

Gabriele Rausse Winery has a completely different feel than many wineries with its secluded wooded setting. Gabriele Rausse is often called the “father of Virginia wine” having arrived from Italy in the 1970s and spent decades mentoring other winemakers in the state. The only seating is outside, with limited standing room at the indoor tasting bar. Plus, the winery is open to visitors only on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday, so plan your visit accordingly. But with the quality of the wines, you’ll be glad you did!

Afton Mountain Vineyards, just a few miles from Pollak Vineyards, boasts stunning vineyard views. With plenty of indoor seating, including a large glass-walled pavilion, and outdoor areas, visitors can enjoy Afton Mountain’s wide variety of wines (from a crisp Albarino to a fruit-forward carbonic maceration Merlot) from any vantage point. Afton Mountain also has four one-bedroom cottages so you can stay and wake up to vineyard views.

Montifalco Vineyards offers something a little different and unexpected. Here you’ll encounter wines made from grapes like Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, and Garanoir in addition to the more traditional Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. My favorite? The Saperavi. The fun outdoor vignette seating is great for sunny days and the indoor bar is perfect for a smaller, more intimate guided tasting.

Ankida Ridge Vineyards deserves a mention even though it is not located in the Monticello AVA. About a 75-minute drive from Charlottesville, Ankida Ridge is worth the drive. The winery has earned national recognition for proving that world-class Pinot Noir can be grown in Virginia. Focusing on high-elevation Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Gamay, Ankida Ridge offers excellent wines, a cozy tasting room and outdoor porch, terrific hospitality, and a view that can only be described as breathtaking.

More Than Wineries

The Charlottesville area is home of numerous “-ies”: breweries, distilleries, cideries, and meaderies, offering plenty of options for other-than-wine enthusiasts.

Two great resources similar to the Monticello Wine Trail are:

• Charlottesville Ale Trail featuring 17 craft beverage venues
• Nelson 151 – a collection of craft beverage venues on or near Highway 151 in nearby Nelson County

There’s More

To fully round out a visit to Charlottesville, there are lots of places to stay, eat, shop, and see.

Stay

Stay in downtown Charlottesville near the Historic Downtown Mall along the city’s pedestrian Main Street. Both chain hotels and independent boutique hotels can satisfy travelers’ desires and budgets.

For a more rural stay, check out the Wintergreen Resort, which is close to the Nelson 151 venues and offers many activity options from golf and tennis in the summer to skiing and snowboarding in the winter.

Eat/Shop

Once again, the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville is the best bet for eating and shopping with 30 restaurants and over 120 shops. This is definitely a shop ‘til you drop area. 

For a fun side trip, or while you’re in the Nelson 151 area, pull off the road (at 7673 Rockfish Valley Highway) for Paulie’s Pig Out – large servings of smoked pork or brisket, and to-die-for mac ‘n cheese and cole slaw.

See

Charlottesville is home to the University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819. The Jefferson-designed Rotunda, Lawn, and Academical Village are must sees.

Often overlooked for sight-seeing by attractions like the homes of U.S. presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, or James Monroe, Skyline Drive runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains and presents beautiful vistas throughout the Shenandoah National Park.

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So whether you’re staying for a weekend or a week, there’s plenty to see, do, and drink in and around Charlottesville. And if you’re visiting one of the many wineries, keep your eyes peeled. I’ve got a getaway cabin with my partner near there, so you might see me/us enjoying the wine too!