{"id":2489,"date":"2015-10-23T19:23:47","date_gmt":"2015-10-23T19:23:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.diningtraveler.com\/?p=2489"},"modified":"2016-10-29T15:06:07","modified_gmt":"2016-10-29T15:06:07","slug":"loudoun-county-wineries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diningtraveler.com\/2015\/10\/loudoun-county-wineries.html","title":{"rendered":"Daycation: Loudoun County Wineries"},"content":{"rendered":"
Must admit I have lived in DC for three years and this summer was the first time time I visited the Loudoun County wineries. A little over an hour away from DC,\u00a0there are beautiful rolling hills lined with vineyards and up and coming winemakers. \u00a0It’s world away from government buildings and buzzing helicopters. \u00a0It makes it the perfect day trip from Washington, DC.<\/p>\n One of the things I love about wine is that it tells a story. \u00a0Whether it is Riesling at the Finger Lakes of urban vineyards in Vienna, there is always a tale to be told. \u00a0One of the things I prefer about visiting smaller producers is that the tale is personal. \u00a0You can taste and smell the passion and love that goes behind winemaking. \u00a0This is no different at the Loudoun County wineries. Here are five wineries to visit in Virginia Wine Country:<\/p>\n Creek’s Edge:<\/em><\/strong> Sitting along the Catoctin Creek, there’s Creek’s Edge Winery. \u00a0The tasting room is dark and cozy with beautiful wooden details, to include a gorgeous spiral staircase which leads to their cellar. \u00a0Their tasting room also lends itself to weddings and its outdoor space hosts a series of concerts during the summer. \u00a0Dining Travel Wine Pick:<\/strong> <\/em>the 2012 Cabernet Franc, it’s spicy scent and peppery taste makes you want to bring a case home!<\/p>\n Doukenie:<\/em><\/strong> \u00a0One of the most memorable stories I heard during my time at the Loudoun County wineries is the Doukenie wine <\/a>story.\u00a0The Bazaco family, who still lives at the Doukenie farm grounds, \u00a0brought their passion for wine and agriculture from Greece to the United States\u00a0almost a century ago. \u00a0That passion can be tasted in their wines, which are light on the palate and perfect to have on a hot summer day at their beautiful patio. If you have the chance, have a tasting with Maria. She’s a former chef who will not only walk you through the tastings\u00a0but will give you some great food pairing tips. \u00a0\u00a0Dining Traveler Tip: Conclude your tasting with Hope’s Baklava which is homemade by the Hope Bazaco, the family matriarch.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Stone Tower Winery:<\/em> <\/strong>\u00a0This gorgeous winery quickly grabs your attention due to its impressive attention to detail. \u00a0A family operated winery, we were welcomed by Lacey, the owner’s daughter who manages this beautiful property. \u00a0They have two tasting rooms. \u00a0The first tasting room is rustic, where families and dogs are welcome. \u00a0Their second tasting room and cellar are a different story. \u00a0The decor is elegant yet modern with a beautiful neutral palette. \u00a0Children are not allowed and the atmosphere is laid back luxury. \u00a0The cellar leads to a beautiful event space which makes me hope that one of my friends chooses to get married there with its impressive views of the vineyards. Dining Traveler Wine Pick: \u00a0the viognier. \u00a0The grape thrives in Virginia and it has a light, fruity taste that goes well with the hot Virginia summers.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Greenhill Winery: <\/a>\u00a0Who knew Virginia could produce such a beautiful blanc de blancs? \u00a0It is done at Greenhill Winery. \u00a0Sommelier Anthony Downing walked us through the detailed tasting. Not to miss:<\/em> <\/strong>\u00a0The winery provides a two hour guided tour of the vineyards followed by a tasting all year round. \u00a0The tasting room may be smaller than Stone Tower or Creek’s edge but it does provide an intimate experience with great wine. This winery also loves all things local, it has a special area with locally made products. \u00a0You can grab cheese, meats, and honey made from local producers.\u00a0Dining Traveler Wine Pick: the blanc de blancs, it’s simply beautiful.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n 50West:<\/strong> <\/em>\u00a0The location, as the name implies, is conveniently located off of route 50 in Middleburg, VA. \u00a0 It is one of the newest additions to the Loudoun County wineries. \u00a0It is still a work in progress as they are still completing their licensing process to label their own wine. \u00a0They are currently serving wine from their sister vineyard, Sunset Hills. \u00a0Sitting atop a hill, we caught beautiful fall foliage from their spacious patio. \u00a0They plan to complete their event space in the winter of 2015. Dining Traveler Wine Pick: The 2014 rose of cabernet franc. It has the perfect balance of a citrus flavors with a light finish.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n The Verdict:<\/strong><\/em> \u00a0After two trips to the Loudoun County wineries, I am sold. \u00a0I have been to the wine region extremes: ones where you feel you need to be a sommelier to have a bonafide experience to others who produce “wine slushies” (the horror). \u00a0This area strikes the perfect balance. \u00a0Although Loudoun County is a young wine region, I admire that winemakers are experimenting with grapes and soil without disrespecting deep rooted wine traditions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Must admit I have lived in DC for three years and this summer was the first time time I visited the Loudoun County wineries. A little over an hour away from DC,\u00a0there are beautiful rolling hills lined with vineyards and up and coming winemakers. \u00a0It’s world away from government buildings and buzzing helicopters. \u00a0It makes […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":2493,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[39,7,2,159],"tags":[409,343,315],"class_list":{"0":"post-2489","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dc-life","8":"category-food","9":"category-travel","10":"category-virginia","11":"tag-daytrips-from-dc","12":"tag-virginia","13":"tag-wine"},"yoast_head":"\n<\/a>
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