Crisp fall days, vibrant leaves, and a glass of Virginia wine in your hand. Sound like the perfect afternoon? If so, during Virginia Wine Month, head west on I-66 to Linden, where you’ll find these wineries serving delicious sips and stellar Blue Ridge Mountains views.
Crimson Lane Vineyards
Perched on a mountainside, the expansive porch and tasting room at Crimson Lane provide views from just about every seat, giving it a vista that’s hard to beat. Take the winding gravel road to the top to enjoy wine that’s well worth the drive, too. Try comparing winemaker Dominick Fioresi’s two styles of chardonnay, and sample red Bordeaux blends including Collina and Parral, as well as the bold petit verdot. Reservations are required. The vineyard is for ages 21 and up and does not allow pets. Tastings are $45 to $65 per person. 13334 Crimson Ln., Linden
Capstone Vineyards
Located just next door to Crimson Lane, this vineyard faces the same direction and offers similar views in a casual atmosphere. The $25 guided tasting includes winemaker Theo Smith’s Roussanne (a white reminiscent of chardonnay) and the cabernet franc, as well as two more wines. The friendly tasting room staff may offer you a splash from an additional bottle if one happens to be open. Leashed dogs are permitted outdoors, and kids can run around in the open grassy areas. 13400 Crimson Ln., Linden
Fox Meadow Vineyards & Winery
At an elevation of 1,800 feet on Blue Mountain, Fox Meadow is owned by Whiticar and Amanda Darvill, former finance and communications professionals. Grab a seat on the large deck or at a picnic table to take in the surrounding mountains at this onetime orchard. Sip the Le Renard Rouge — a Bordeaux blend of petit verdot, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and cabernet franc — or a wide selection of whites. A variety of tasting options range from $20 to $35. Families with teenage children and older are welcome, and leashed dogs are permitted outdoors. 3310 Freezeland Rd., Linden
Linden Vineyards
Virginia wine pioneer Jim Law harvested his first commercial vintage here in 1987. Like the newer wineries that have opened in Linden, it offers beautiful views of the mountains from its tasting room and terrace. Many winemakers in the region and throughout Virginia learned from Law, who puts an emphasis on terroir in his winemaking. The vineyard is known for its chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and red Bordeaux blends. Tastings are $25 per person for up to four people, and reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are also welcome. The winery does not allow children or pets. 3708 Harrels Corner Rd., Linden
Coming Soon: Silver Dog Vineyards
From Crimson Lane and Capstone vineyards, you can get a peek at the plantings and construction over at Silver Dog Vineyards, which is opening in the near future. The owners began planting the vines in 2019, including cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot, chardonnay, and petit manseng, as well as two more unusual grape varieties for Virginia: Barbera and Sagrantino, both Italian varietals.
Feature image courtesy Crimson Lane Vineyards
This story originally ran in our October issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
