Road Trip Idea: Virginia Wineries

From CNN...Although California, Oregon and Washington boast the best wines in the US, Virginia wineries, numbering 250, offer an exquisite combination of wine-tasting, sight-seeing and people-meeting. This article, penned by a writer who recently moved from New York to the Shenandoah Valley, where I grew up, profiles wineries in and around Charlottesville, VA--as well as local restaurants boasting knowledgable sommeliers. If you're looking for something a bit more off the beaten path, though, you might travel 20 or so miles west to the Afton/Nellysford area, an eclectic region containing myriad wineries stocked with colorful personalities. I can't promise delight for you palate, but I can promise gorgeous views, a relaxed drive along pleasantly winding roads and a personalized tasting experience you simply can't get at the industrial wineries of Napa and Sonoma. During Evan's visit last weekend, we, along with some out-of-staters--and one Britishman--visited four wineries in this region. Our favorite? Afton winery, pictured below. It's a small winery, but its wines are very popular and have won quite a few national awards. A member of our crew purchased a bottle of Afton's chardonnay--crisp, refreshing and perfect for a mild autumn afternoon.