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Did you know that there are several wineries near Shenandoah National Park?
Not to be confused with Shenandoah Valley in California, wineries in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia make some pretty great wine too! So while you’re out exploring the best things to do in Shenandoah, you’ll definitely want to drink some vino!
Chris and I love drinking wine around the globe in our travels! Whether it is sipping Pinot Noirs in the Willamette Valley or in Santa Barbara County, exploring the wineries in South Africa or Piedmont, or even trying out vineyards in our own backyard here in Ohio Wine Country, the Finger Lakes, or the Chautauqua Wineries, we love a good vineyard! So when we found out this area was known for wine, we knew we had to explore it!
Let me tell you, it definitely lives up to the hype! If you are a fan of earthy reds or crisp whites, there are wineries near Shenandoah National Park that you’ll need to try during your next trip!
Table of Contents
- A Bit of Virginia Wine History Before You Explore Wineries Near Shenandoah National Park
- Best Shenandoah Wineries Map
- 10 Best Wineries Near Shenandoah National Park
- 1. Early Mountain Vineyards is Easily One of the Best Wineries Near Shenandoah National Park
- 2. Mountain Run Winery is a Hidden Gem of the Wineries in the Shenandoah Valley
- 3. DuCard Vineyards is a Must Visit When it Comes to Wineries Near Shenandoah National Park
- 4. Chester Gap Cellars
- 5. Magnolia Vineyards
- 6. Revalation Vineyards
- 7. Prince Michel Vineyards Is One of the Best Wineries Near Shenandoah National Park for Variety!
- 8. Cave Ridge Vineyard
- 9. Wisteria Farm and Vineyard
- 10. Last but Not Least for the Best Wineries in the Shenandoah Valley: Stone Mountain Vineyards
- Top Tips for Visiting the Best Wineries in Shenandoah Valley, VA
A Bit of Virginia Wine History Before You Explore Wineries Near Shenandoah National Park
Every vineyard and grape has a story, right? According to our favorite wine books, Windows on the World Complete Wine Course by Kevin Zraly and Oxford Companion to Wine by Jancis Robinson and Julia Harding, winemaking in Virginia dates back to the colonists in Jamestown.
It was, however…lackluster.
While not a success, Thomas Jefferson is credited to bringing French grapes over and trying to grow those. Washington even made an attempt. However, as the climate here is humid and hot during the growing season, fungal diseases can be a problem.
In fact, wineries in Virginia didn’t take off until after 1980! Now there are hundreds of wineries in the area that are working with both hybrid and vinifera grapes.
Wines made from Norton, Petit Manseng, Petit Verdot, and Viognier do pretty well in this part of the world!
Best Shenandoah Wineries Map
10 Best Wineries Near Shenandoah National Park
Now that we know a little more about wine making in Virginia, it is important to know that there are some fantastic Shenandoah Vineyards!
So whether you want to sample a glass of Viognier while enjoying vineyard views or you want to have a flight at a large winery with entertainment, these are the best wineries in Shenandoah Valley, VA you’ll want to try!
1. Early Mountain Vineyards is Easily One of the Best Wineries Near Shenandoah National Park
Address: 6109 Wolftown-Hood Rd, Madison, VA 22727 | Phone: 540-948-9005 | Hours: Thursday-Monday 11 am-6 pm. Tuesday-Wednesday 10 am-4 pm (pickup only) | Price for Tasting: $20-$22 | Must-Try Wine: Eluvium and Quaker Run Cabernet Franc
Known for approachable wines that are equally delicious, Early Mountain Vineyards listen to their soil for best results. And it shows.
With award winners like their Eluvium (a blend of Merlot and Petit Verdot), and the fruit and herbal forward Quaker Run Cabernet Franc, you’ll definitely enjoy their bold reds. However, if you love a good white wine, opt for their Petit Manseng with tropical notes and a creaminess blended well with the acidity, making a well-balanced wine.
They also have sparkling wines like the EMV Estate Brut and, for the adventurous, the Pat Nat Blanc.
Oh, and the beautiful vineyard views and delicious seasonal and local food just make it icing on the cake for the best wineries near Shenandoah, VA.
2. Mountain Run Winery is a Hidden Gem of the Wineries in the Shenandoah Valley
Address: 10753 Mountain Run Lake Rd, Culpeper, VA 22701 | Phone: 703-638-5559 | Hours: Friday-Sunday 12-7 pm. | Price for Tasting: $12 | Must-Try Wine: Oaked Chardonnay and Culpepper Crimson
Something I love about visiting the best wineries in Shenandoah is that there is no pretense. People are laid back and just love wine. This place is no exception.
Mountain Run Winery is passionate about their wine, and it shows when talking with the people there. With an inexpensive tasting, and beautiful views all around this spacious farm and vineyard, you could easily stay here a while.
Some wines to try include their signature Culpepper Crimson with Norton and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes blended to make a leathery, tobacco-esque, and spicy wine. Their Oaked Chardonnay is also a delight with a hint of oak (no oak bombs here!). Chambourcin is also another great dry red wine to try with hints of plum and tart cherry.
If you prefer sweeter wines, then check out the Culpepper Love, a crisp blend of Chardonnay and Viognier. Oh, and for those who don’t love wine (WHAT?!) there is a great Hard Apple Cider to enjoy as well.
3. DuCard Vineyards is a Must Visit When it Comes to Wineries Near Shenandoah National Park
Address: 40 Gibson Hollow Ln, Etlan, Virginia 22719 | Phone: 540-923-4206 | Hours: Monday-Thursday 12-5 pm. Fridays-Sundays (and holiday Mondays) 12-6 pm. | Price for Tasting: $10 | Must-Try Wine: Petit Verdot and Signature Viognier
This popular vineyard is a must-stop for anyone exploring the wineries near Shenandoah!
With ample outdoor space and mountain views, this is the perfect place to relax for a day of Virginia wine drinking or to celebrate conquering the nearby Old Rag Mountain hike!
This place has a lot of options for wine tasting too! They now offer a seated tasting with a premium flight of wine and small bites, a guided tasting, and a tour of the winery for $40 per person.
Other normal tastings include the regular wine tasting at $10, Shenandoah Wine Flight for $24 (includes some light bites), group tastings for $15 per person, and even a Food & Wine Experience Program for groups!
Wines that you’ll definitely want to try here include the award-winning firmly tannic and floral Petit Verdot and the Signature Viognier with hints of wildflowers, honey, and melon.
For the bold red wine lovers, the Triskele Bordeaux-style blend is lovely with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot.
4. Chester Gap Cellars
Address: 4615 Remount Rd, Front Royal, VA 22630 | Phone: 540-636-8086 | Hours: Friday-Sunday 11 am-6 pm. | Price for Tasting: $10 | Must-Try Wine: Vintner’s Red and Viognier Reserve
Feel as if you’re on top of the world at this winery. Located near the top entrance to Shenandoah National Park, this is one of the best wineries in Shenandoah Valley for views!
Sit on the patio and admire the mountain scenery and vineyards. This is the perfect place to relax after a nice hike or exploring the top part of the park!
Some wines to try here include their Viognier Reserve aged in French Oak barrels and the Vintner’s Red with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. Also, their fruity and slightly sweet Petit Manseng is a hit too. Basically, all of their wine is worth a taste!
5. Magnolia Vineyards
Address: 200 Viewtown Rd, Amissville, VA 20106 | Phone: 703-785-8190 | Hours: Friday-Monday 11:30 am-5:30 pm. | Price for Tasting: $10 | Must-Try Wine: Black Walnut White and Cabernet Sauvignon
Inspired by their Italian roots and love of wine, the owners of this winery set out to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for their winery with Olde World hospitality.
This place offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including Old Rag, as well as the beautiful vineyard itself.
If you are searching for wineries in Shenandoah with charm and great wine, this is the place.
Some wines to try include their citrusy Viognier, the Black Walnut White blend with Traminette and Vidal Blanc with hints of orange blossoms and citrus, and the Cabernet Sauvignon with dried fruit and spice on the nose and coffee and stone fruit on the palette.
6. Revalation Vineyards
Address: 2710 Hebron Valley Rd, Madison, VA 22727 | Phone: 540-407-1236 | Hours: November 1-April 30 Friday 1 pm-sunset, Saturday and Sunday 1-5 pm. May 1-October 31 Friday 3 pm-sunset, Saturday 1-6 pm, and Sunday and Monday 1-5 pm. | Price for Tasting: $15-18 | Must-Try Wine: Pinot Gris and Melange de Rouges
When a Belgian mathematician and Irish dentist fell in love with wine and the Blue Ridge Mountains, they were determined to turn an old horse farm into a vineyard with great wine.
Luckily for us, the owners Francoise and Julian did just that, and this gorgeous vineyard boasts delightful views and a charming log cabin tasting room.
Some great wines to try include the Pinot Gris, which has hints of pear, white flowers, and licorice, and the Melange de Rouges, a delightfully well-balanced fruity red wine that combines Cabernet Franc, Noiret, and Merlot.
If you want to branch out and try something new, then definitely opt to try the Tannat with hints of hazelnut, raspberry, tobacco, and herbs.
7. Prince Michel Vineyards Is One of the Best Wineries Near Shenandoah National Park for Variety!
Address: 154 Winery Ln, Leon, VA 22725 | Phone: 540-547-3707 | Hours: Sunday and Tuesday-Thursday 11 am-7 pm. Monday 11 am-8 pm. Friday and Saturday 11 am-9 pm. | Price for Tasting: $15 | Must-Try Wine: Voignier and Merlot-Cabernet Reserve
This large tasting room is a great stop during your time exploring the wineries near Shenandoah National Park! This place has it all including a wine shop, brewery onsite, and lodging too.
There is live music as well to enjoy! And for hot summer days, you can cool off with a wine slushie flight!
The ample outdoor space here is great for sampling their wine tastings that include several wines to try! If you prefer a glass, then the fruity, acidic, and creamy Viognier is sure to please. You’ll also enjoy the Merlot-Cabernet Reserve with hints of smoke, vanilla, and dark cherry.
8. Cave Ridge Vineyard
Address: 1476 Conicville Rd, Mt Jackson, VA 22842 | Phone: 540-477-2585 | Hours: Sunday-Friday 12-6 pm. Saturday 12-7 pm. | Price for Tasting: $6-10 | Must-Try Wine: Red Silk and Petit Verdot
This place is located on the other side of Shenandoah Valley National Park, but this further away winery is worth the drive! With lovely mountain views, cozy vineyard vibes, and delicious wine, you’ll find yourself enjoying this winery near Shenandoah.
This vineyard has several wines to enjoy ranging from a Sparkling Raspberry Noir and Fandango dessert wine to the more upscale Fossil Hill Reserve. No matter what kind of wine you enjoy, you’ll find something here.
Some notable wines to try include the Red Silk Cabernet Franc with hints of black pepper and dark fruit as well as the Petit Verdot with flavors of both red and black fruit along with smoke.
9. Wisteria Farm and Vineyard
Address: 1126 Marksville Rd, Stanley, VA 22851 | Phone: 540-742-1489 | Hours: Friday-Sunday 12-6 pm. | Price for Tasting: $8 | Must-Try Wine: Adonis and Norton
This little vineyard is also located on the western side of Shenandoah National Park. Closer to Luray, you could easily stop by here after exploring the famous Luray Caverns.
There is ample outdoor space here with gorgeous views of the farm, adorable livestock, and the Shenandoah Valley. Enjoy an affordable sampling of wines at $8.
Some wines to enjoy include their Adonis blend featuring Carmine, Norton, and Traminette grapes or the spicy and robust Norton.
10. Last but Not Least for the Best Wineries in the Shenandoah Valley: Stone Mountain Vineyards
Address: 1376 Wyatt Mountain Rd, Dyke, VA 22935 | Phone: 434-990-9463 | Hours: Monday and Thursday 12-5 pm. Friday-Sunday 11 am-6 pm. | Price for Tasting: $10-15 | Must-Try Wine: Cab Franc, Bacon Hollow Revenuer’s Select, and Tribute
With award winning wines and breathtaking mountain views without the need to go on a hike, you’ll never want to leave this winery!
Definitely one of the best wineries near Shenandoah National Park, this place is located at over 1,700 feet in elevation. This location and the famous Monticello terroir make for delicious wines.
Relax, take in the views, and enjoy all that this place has to offer. While all of their wines are fantastic, some that you need to try include the rich and fruity (but not too heavy) Cabernet Franc, the Bacon Hollow Revenuer’s Select with hints of apricot and citrus, and the unique cherry-infused Port-style wine called Tribute.
Cheers to a fabulous day exploring Shenandoah National Park at this winery!
Top Tips for Visiting the Best Wineries in Shenandoah Valley, VA
While you’re visiting the best wineries near Shenandoah National Park, here are some things to note:
- In 2021, there will definitely be more restrictions. Some wineries may not be offering tastings in their tasting rooms but rather wine flights to take outside or glass and bottle sales. Be sure to check the vineyard’s website for more information.
- Don’t drink and drive! This is obvious, but drink responsibly and arrange transportation or have a designated driver. There is also the option to take this wine tour!
- What to wear: Wineries here are pretty casual, so no need to get super dressed up. I wore some jeans with this great sweater when we visited in the spring! I also love wearing this sundress while visiting wineries too!
- Where to Stay: As the best wineries in Shenandoah are pretty centrally located to Shenandoah National Park, staying in a town like Culpeper is a great way to easily access the wineries. We stayed at this Airbnb, but there are also adorable VRBOs in the area (like this adorable cottage!) Some hotels include:
- Budget: Microtel Inn & Suites for under $100 per night. Book it here!
- Mid-Range: Hampton Inn & Suites Culpeper for around $130 per night. Book it here!
- Luxury: Hopkins Ordinary Bed and Breakfast for around $350 per night. Book it here! This is closer to the park but a great place to stay!
- How long should you spend in Shenandoah Valley? We were able to explore a lot of Shenandoah National Park plus do some wine tasting on our most recent visit in just 2 days. However, to really visit a lot of the wineries as well as see all that Shenandoah National Park and the surrounding area have to offer, I’d say about 5 days is perfect!
- Don’t forget to check out Shenandoah National Park while there! Here are some helpful articles:
- Combining this with a trip to DC? We’ve got a great guide to spending 3 days in DC.
- Want to learn more about wine? We love the Windows on the World Complete Wine Course and Oxford Companion to Wine.
- Want another great weekend getaway idea? Check out the Finger Lakes for hiking and wine too! Or check out the Top USA Honeymoon Road Trips.
Shenandoah National Park and the surrounding area truly have so much to offer! With challenging hikes, beautiful views, and the best wineries near Shenandoah National Park, you can’t go wrong with a visit here!
Which are your favorite wineries to visit in Shenandoah Valley, VA?
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Kat is the founder and author of the World Wide Honeymoon blog. She has traveled to over 35 countries spanning 5 continents to find the most romantic, unique, and fun places for couples to enjoy time together. She creates in-depth itineraries, honeymoon guides, packing lists, and even travel budget guides (Kat’s a former accountant!). Kat has been blogging since 2017, giving honest opinions and tips from her experiences while traveling. Aside from this blog, she runs a podcast with her husband, Chris, called the World Wide Honeymoon Travel Podcast and a travel blog dedicated to France called France Voyager.