“We no longer build fireplaces for physical warmth, we build them for the warmth of the soul; we build them to dream by, to hope by, to home by.” ~ Edna Ferber, writer
With spring nearly here, everyone is eager to get outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of flowers blooming and birds chirping. But “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” On the days it’s ‘roaring’, members of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail are ready, with outdoor heaters and open fire pits on wineries’ porches, in their courtyards and outdoor spaces. Indoor Tasting Rooms may be heated with traditional heating systems or indoor fireplaces. At one Trail winery, you can even take a warm bath!
Outdoor Fire Pits, Patio Heaters, and Fireplaces on the Trail
A massive 3,000 sq. ft. wraparound porch surrounds Good Luck Cellars’ Tasting Room, gift shop and event room. Overlooking the vineyards and the winery dogs who patrol them, the Grape Vine Patrol Squad, the covered porch is equipped with an outdoor fireplace and patio heaters, allowing guests to enjoy spring in warmth and comfort.
At Trail winery Ingleside Vineyards, a beautiful, European-style courtyard is nestled under a canopy of trees, with additional covered spaces along the perimeter. There’s plenty of seating in the courtyard, with dozens of tables and chairs surrounding a graceful fountain at the center. New gas fire pit tables have replaced the original wood fire pits, which can now be found in the Bullpen, a new seating area adjacent to the courtyard.
The deck at Jacey Vineyards, overlooking the vineyard and nearby picnic tables, warms right up during spring cold snaps, thanks to outdoor heaters and wood-burning fire pits that keep guests toasty on even the coolest spring days.
Located on the grounds of Hope & Glory Inn, The Dog and Oyster Micro-Vinyard protects guests from spring’s chill with outdoor tower heaters inside a massive, clear span tent, as well as wood-burning fire pits in seating areas on the surrounding walkways. The Inn’s patio dining area, Hooky, also comes complete with fire pits and tower heaters.
Warm the Body & the Soul with Indoor Fireplaces on the Trail
Step into the tasting rooms of these Trail wineries on a chilly day and you just might be greeted with the warmth, coziness and nostalgic aromatics of a crackling, wood-burning indoor fireplace.
Lodging is available at select wineries on the Trail, including in the historic mansions at Ditchley Cider Works, General’s Ridge Vineyard, The Dog and Oyster. At The Dog and Oyster, guests can stay in a room at the vineyard’s Hope & Glory Inn, which has a fireplace in the lobby of its fine dining restaurant, The Colonnade, or in one of three private guest cottages that have a fireplace. For a REALLY unique experience, try the inn’s Garden Bath, a secluded enclave that enables guests to bathe under the stars in an open air, antique claw foot tub.
As the weather warms up, visitation at Trail wineries increases. Beat the crowds and visit your favorite Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail member location before the season picks up! Enjoy wine tasting indoors or outdoors; and stay cozy warm with indoor and outdoor fireplaces and fire pits, patio tower heaters, and even an outdoor garden bath!
You’ve heard it said before: Virginia is for Lovers. What pairs better with love than wine?
Romance abounds here on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail. From iconic Virginia love signs (LOVEworks) that provide picture-perfect photo opps, to one of Southern Living’s ‘South’s Best Inns’… from breathtaking nature to cozy corners… love is everywhere on the Trail.
Special “Love” Events
Wine & Cherries Weekend – Ingleside
Love is the reason–and the season–for many of the events held at participating Trail members’ sites, including five signature Trail events held annually.
Wine & Cherries Weekend is held each February over Presidents Day Weekend. Participating wineries pair their wines with cherry treats, and may also offer live music or other activities.
This year during Wine & Cherries Weekend, Trail winery Monroe Bay Winery is hosting a fundraising benefit concert on Saturday 2/17 to help cover medical and funeral expenses for Alora, a local infant born prematurely who passed away at only 17 days old. Karaoke held at the winery the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month will help the effort.
The “Pour Your Heart Out” fundraiser is held each July to raise money for charities. Participating Trail wineries donate a portion of sales to a local charity or organization of their choosing.
Oysters at Good Luck Cellars
The Trail’s Spring and Fall Oyster Crawls are held for the love of oysters! Virginia is becoming the “Oyster Capital of the East Coast.” During each crawl, held annually in April and November, participating wineries pair oyster dishes with their wine and may host live music or oyster-related activities.
Individual Trail wineries also hold their own “love” events. For example, each February, Ingleside Vineyards & Winery holds an intimate Valentine’s VIP Tastings event, in which wines not typically found on standard tastings menus are paired with charcuterie. Several wineries offer Valentine’s Day Sip & Paint events, floral design, themed music or other events during the month.
Virginia LOVEworks on the Trail
To date, there are more than 300 LOVEworks around the “Love State”. Posing with Virginia’s love signs and sharing on social media (common hashtags include #LOVEva, #valovesigns, and others) is a popular activity in Virginia. Some travelers even plan roadtrips using Virginia Tourism Corporation’s LOVEwork map as their guide. Here’s where to find LOVEworks on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail and surrounding areas.
Ingleside Vineyards
The large-scale LOVEwork featured on the grounds of Ingleside Winery and Vineyards overlooks a scenic wildflower field, complementing the natural beauty and rustic setting of the vineyards. Designed and built by a local craftsman, this love sign is made of large timber frame letters sourced from local Northern Neck white oak, its letters held together by mortise and tenon joinery, a joining method that is thousands of years old and provides a simple design with great strength.
Monroe Bay Winery
LOVEwork at Monroe Bay Winery
When Monroe Bay Winery was building its unique straw bale barn tasting room, it was sure to include plans for a Virginia LOVEworks. Tucked in a romantic and cozy corner of the vast space is LOVE, spelled out with recycled wine bottles that are also used to accent windows and doorways in the tasting room.
Towns Along the Trail
Both wineries are located near the Town of Colonial Beach, home to a number of local-themed LOVEworks, including a golf cart on the beach, an osprey-themed love sign, and several at area businesses. Local artists are working on more LOVEworks, in an effort to become the Virginia municipality with the most.
Hometowns of other Trail members also have LOVEworks signs reminiscent of their area. Kilmarnock, for example, is home to Trail members Ditchley Cider Works and Good Luck Cellars. Here you’ll find a permanent LOVEwork highlighting the largest industries in the town, and a holiday-themed LOVEwork that is displayed October through December. Look for additional LOVEworks nearby, only minutes from The Dog and Oyster and Jacey Vineyards.
Find the largest LOVE mural in the Tappahannock region, home to Caret Cellars, which is represented by a second mural that includes wine grapes in its design. Located just over the Rappahannock River are Trail wineries Good Luck Cellars and Rivah Vineyards. In this region, four more LOVEworks can be found nearby, in the towns of Warsaw and Montross.
Hope & Glory Inn
The Most Romantic Lodging on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail
Described as “hopelessly romantic”, “whimsical” and “magical”, Hope & Glory Inn, home to Trail winery The Dog and Oyster, is named one of the Top Ten Most Romantic Inns by American Historic Inns. The boutique inn is made for lovers, featuring seven private guestrooms and six individual cottages, the latter immersed in a “secret garden” with sculptures, a saltwater pool, and a romantic, open-air, outdoor, garden bath. Guests can sip wine from The Dog and Oysters microvineyard and feast on oysters and other farm-to-table and boat-to-table locally sourced foods at the inn’s fine dining restaurant, The Colonnade. The inn even owns a boat called True Love!
Love & Marriage
If love has led to engagement, consider a winery wedding on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail. Whether the couples’ preference is luxurious and sophisticated, rustic and homey, or something in between, brides and grooms are sure to find the perfect venue for their nuptials.
Weddings at Jacey Vineyards
Nearly every Trail winery has event-hosting capabilities, for every taste and budget.
Hold an Italian-styled wedding at Caret Cellars’ Italy-inspired Tasting Room.
The lawn, Manor House, and water’s edge can be used for weddings, rehearsals or accommodations at Ditchley Cider House.
The Chef at The Dog and Oyster’s romantic Hope & Glory Inn (see above) can serve formal plated, casual food stations, oyster or seafood bars in the restaurant, on the grounds, or by the pool.
Step back in time and say “I do” in General’s Ridge Vineyard’s historic Manor House, Carriage House, or against the breathtaking backdrop of the vineyard.
Good Luck Cellars boasts 4,500 sq. ft of indoor space (including a cupola with 360 degree views of the estate), 3,000 sq. ft. of covered, wrap-around porch, and surrounding acreage for weddings.
A European-style courtyard with fountain, romantic Barrel Room, indoor/outdoor Pavilion, and dedicated wedding staff are just a few reasons Ingleside Vineyards is an award-winning wedding venue.
Guests can arrive by car or boat to Jacey Vineyards for weddings in wooded forests, along a mile of waterfront, and among lush vineyards.
Monroe Bay Winery’s Straw Bale Barn and Event Center provides a rustic, yet elegant setting, with shimmering stained glass made from recycled wine bottles, and acres of lawn.
Each Tuesday, Rivah Vineyards at the Grove welcomes engaged couples to tour the grounds and meet potential wedding vendors. The winery is also the site for the 2nd Annual Northern Neck Middle Peninsula Wedding Expo Sunday, March 10, 2024.
Gifts That Say “I Love You”
Virginia is for Wine Lovers, a bottle (or case!) of Virginia wine makes a welcomed gift for those you care about. Or go a little extra and say “I love you” with a collection of wine-themed gifts, such as a bottle, wine glass and accessories, and apparel (hat, hoodie, t-shirt, etc.) from a favorite winery. Or go all the way and plan a wine weekend getaway! Visit the Itineraries page on our website for lodging suggestions, attractions, dining and more on or near the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail.
More personal items, such as jewelry, art or handmade crafts can be found during Trail and individual winery events. Visit our blog post 15+ Places to Shop on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail for more gift and shopping ideas.
Holidays… after-Christmas sales… birthdays… anniversaries… shopping is a year-round activity, and much more enjoyable with a glass (or bottle, we don’t judge!) of wine in your hand. Below we share a few places to shop on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, where you are sure to find the perfect gift for anyone, for any occasion. Then you can just sit back, sip, slurp, and eat. Take in the vineyard views, listen to music, warm yourself by a cozy fire, and enjoy the merriment with fellow wine lovers.
Shopping Events on the Trail
Each year, the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail hosts five signature events, during which vendors sell wares of all kinds at select, participating wineries. December’s Holiday Sip & Shop is a dedicated shopping opportunity to stock up on holiday gifts.
February: Wine & Cherries Weekend
April: Spring Oyster Crawl
July: Pour Your Heart Out fundraiser
November: Fall Oyster Crawl
December: Holiday Sip & Shop
Some Trail members also participate in offsite events, where you purchase their wine and branded merchandise.
Winery Gift Shops on the Trail
Shop without ever leaving the winery! Several Trail members have gift shops stocked with unique items for winery lovers and others. A number of Trail members offer gift cards and branded merchandise, so you can proudly showcase support for your favorite wineries. At all Trail locations, you can purchase wine by the bottle or case for a host/ hostess, celebration, or special occasion.
Oyster jewelry at Ingleside Vineyards
An entire room plus part of the Tasting Room at Ingleside Vineyards and Winery holds hundreds of items, all of which are for sale–even the lampshades! Find something special for wine lovers and non: housewares and decorative furnishings, artwork and antiques, wine accessories, gourmet foods, seasonal/holiday items and more! Love, love, love Ingleside? Find logo merchandise such wine glasses, mugs, clothing, and hats. Ingleside offers 10% off cases of wine everyday (20% for wine club members) and occasional special sales. Wine gift bags are available, as are electronic and physical gift cards.
General’s Ridge Vineyard’s GRV Cozy Corner Gifts, located in the winery’s Tasting Room, has a variety of interesting, seasonal gifts for him, her… everyone! Find the perfect piece of jewelry, wine tumbler, wine glass marker, GRV t-shirts and sweatshirts or cozy neck warmer. Receive a 10% discount off a 6-bottle purchase and 15% off twelve bottles. Military and industry guests get 10% off all the time. Purchase gift cards online or in-person.
Gifts at General’s Ridge Vineyard
Cork art, wine bottle wind chimes, painted wine glasses, and wine accessories are just some of the rotating items you’ll find in the gift shop at Good Luck Cellars (GLC.) Additionally, GLC frequently invites local vendors to the winery during events to sell crafts and handmade goods. Wear your love of GLC proudly, with Good Luck Cellars-branded shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc. Look for special sales throughout the year (such as Mystery Case sales), as well as discounts up to 15% (20% for wine club members) on bulk bottle purchases.
Rivah Vineyards at the Grove is back in 2024 with a special offer for brides and grooms. Beginning January 16, 2024, Rivah Vineyards will be open Tuesdays from 3 to 7 pm (in addition to regular hours) for couples planning their weddings. Preferred vendors will periodically be onsite allow couples to taste the catering, cakes and desserts, see photography styles, etc. The winery is also hosting vendors for the 2nd Annual Northern Neck Middle Peninsula Wedding Expo Sunday, March 10, 2024, from 1 to 4 pm. Every day, first responders receive a 10% discount, as do those who purchase wine by the case.
Though The Dog and Oyster is closed for the season (vineyard requests can be accommodated by contacting the winery), its sister property Hope & Glory Inn is open daily. In the Gift Shop, located on the perimeter of the boutique hotel’s fine dining restaurant, The Colonnade, find Dog and Oyster-branded t-shirts, hats and sweatshirts. Gift certificates are available or purchase a case of a wine for a 15% discount.
Shopping Spots Along the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail
Gift items at Ditchley Cider
The Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail stretches the length of the Northern Neck of Virginia (with one member across the Rappahannock River on the Middle Peninsula.) Along the 65-mile Trail are unique small towns with fun shops and boutiques, art galleries, antiques stores, and other retail opportunities. Make it a shopping weekend (or longer!) by planning a stay in this beautiful scenic and historic region.
Upper Northern Neck
Located at the gateway of the Northern Neck (NNK), just 60 miles south of Washington, DC, are Trail wineries Ingleside Vineyards and Monroe Bay Winery. This section of the NNK is home to historical sites such as George Washington’s Birthplace National Monument and Stratford Hall. Both attractions have gift shops chock-full of toys, home decor, local foods, books, educational products and more to enhance your visit.
Middle Peninsula & Northern Neck
Caret Cellars is located near Tappahannock on the Middle Peninsula. Across the Rappahannock River, on the Northern Neck, find fellow Trail members General’s Ridge Vineyard and Rivah Vineyards at the Grove. In this region, you’ll find antiques stores, gift shops, and specialty clothing boutiques. Visit the Westmoreland Museum Shop for souvenirs and gifts such as jewelry, stationary, art, handbags, foodstuff, rare books, apparel, home furnishings and so much more!
Lower Northern Neck
Cutting boards at Good Luck Cellars
Four members of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail are located on the southern tip of the NNK: The Dog and Oyster, Good Luck Cellars, and Jacey Vineyards. Also located in this area is Ditchley Cider Works & Farm, whose Tasting Room is closed for the season, but open for online pickup orders of ciders, meats, poultry, lard, and eggs.
The commercial hub of this region is the Town of Kilmarnock, where Trail members Ditchley Cider Works and Good Luck Cellars are located. Renowned for its award-winning, pedestrian-friendly Main Street, Kilmarnock is home to more than fifty-five locally-owned, premier retailers. Along the main drag and bustling side streets, visitors find charming shops offering men’s and women’s apparel, antiques and estate pieces, pet supplies, outdoor and recreational gear (including crab and oyster pots, as well as marine, fishing and boating supplies), gift items and household needs. During special events in Kilmarnock Town Centre Park, visitors will find artisans and vendors selling handcrafted items and other specialty goods. The Town boasts over 500 businesses, including big box retailers on the northern end of its main street.
Town of Kilmarnock, VA
On the southern tip of the Northern Neck is the Town of Irvington, a coastal village along the Rappahannock River. Find specially-curated apparel, accessories and gifts; art galleries; jewelry stores; needlepoint and quilting supplies; community bookshop; gourmet foods and beverages; self-care essentials; and, of course, Trail winery The Dog and Oyster.
Whatever you are shopping for–and for whomever you are shopping for, you are sure to find it on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail. Extend your visit! Check out our Itineraries page to find places to stay, eat, and explore. Visit our Wineries page to view current operating hours of Trail members.
The weather is cooler, Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and the holiday season is just around the corner. It’s November! Here on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, we’ve got some ideas on how brighten up the month, including suggestions on what to pair with your turkey (or Tofurkey) meal, long weekend itineraries for a mini vacation, and getting a jump on holiday shopping.
BEST WINES FOR A TURKEY THANKSGIVING DINNER
Turkey chili at Good Luck Cellars
Turkey is the most popular Thanksgiving food in America, with an estimated 46 million birds served each year, according to the National Turkey Federation. The annual tradition of turkey and trimmings, such as stuffing, gravy, buttery mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and other rich, heavy foods, leaves diners feeling stuffed themselves and invokes a drowsy “food coma”.
For this reason, it’s best to keep Thanksgiving dinner wines light and refreshing with lower alcohol content, so as not to overpower the meal or weigh down guests even more.
Albariño: Some say that because this Spanish white wine is floral, fruity, salty and spicy, it is “practically made to pair with turkey” and autumn herbs and vegetables. Try Ingleside Vineyards’ award-winning Albariño.
Viognier:Floral and fruity undertones in this French wine pair nicely with tender turkey meat. Try the Viognier from Monroe Bay Winery, whose owner learned the craft of winemaking in France!
Rosé: Avoid family squabbles with a wine that satisfies both red and white wine lovers. A full-bodied rosé is food-friendly and capable of holding its own to rich, heavy Thanksgiving dishes. Rip Rap Rosé from Good Luck Cellars even has hints of cranberry–perfect!
Sparkling: Crisp sparkling wine is perfect for pairing with a pre-dinner cheeseboard and toasting holiday guests. Its high acidity combats the rich butter and cream in Thanksgiving foods and, combined with the bubbles, helps cleanse the palate. Try Sparkling Semper Fi from General’s Ridge Vineyard.
Dessert: The key to a good after-dinner wine is to make sure the wine is sweeter than the dessert to avoid any taste of bitterness. Caret Cellars’ Rivah Red starts with a burst of strawberry aromas, followed by a subtle nose of blueberry supported by candied fruit. An excellent aperitif, especially when paired with cheesecake, cannoli, or Tiramisu.
Ciders: Thanksgiving is intended to celebrate the harvest and other blessings of the year and to commemorate the historic meal shared by the Wampanoagnatives and colonial Pilgrims. Honor them with their favorite drink–cider, made from the apple seeds and cider presses brought over on the Mayflower. Try a variety of ciders from Ditchley Cider Works.
BEST WINES FOR AN OYSTER THANKSGIVING DINNER
Here in the Northern Neck of Virginia, “Oyster Capital of the East Coast”, any occasion is a good occasion to eat oysters. (That’s why we do a Spring and Fall Oyster Crawl!) But did you know that oysters are even more “traditional” than turkey? According to our neighbors across the Bay at the Maryland Seafood Co-op:
“In 1621, when Governor Bradford of Plymouth Colony declared a day for public praise and prayer giving thanks for a bountiful harvest, there is little debate that oysters were included in the celebratory feast. In addition to wild fowl and deer, America’s colonists and the Wampanoag most likely ate eels, lobster, clams, mussels, and of course, oysters. According to Plymouth scholars, it’s been thought that Native Americans brought oysters to the first Thanksgiving feast, and often bartered with them dried, smoked and strung on twigs.”
Oysters at Dog and Oyster
If oysters are on the menu for your Thanksgiving Day meal, consider the following wines to pair with them:
The Dog and Oyster‘s Pearl is a medium gold Vidal Blanc featuring fresh and complex aromas of citrus and lavender with subtle hints of jasmine. Crisp acidity and layers of grapefruit and thyme are evident, along with notes of linden. The finish is bright and clean, boasting bright grapefruit and toasted almond.
The high acidity, refreshing citrus, and slight saltiness of Albariño makes it a perfect pairing for raw oysters, because “What grows together, goes together.” Try this dry white wine from Trail winery Jacey Vineyards.
A wine made for the Northern Neck of Virginia, Yeocomico White from Rivah Vineyards at the Grove is a complex blend of Vidal Blanc, Viognier, Symphony, Chardonel, and an off-dry Petit Manseng fermented on the skin and aged in stainless steel to bring out the tropical fruit overtones. The palate is further enhanced by floral notes with citrus zest.
BEST WINES FOR A VEGAN/VEGETARIAN THANKSGIVING DINNER
Gift Shop at General’s Ridge
Just as with meat and fish, wine paired with vegetarian dishes should have a higher acidity than the food. Here are some suggestions for a meatless Thanksgiving dinner.
Tofurkey and acorn squash pair well with the elegant stainless steel- and American oak-aged Chardonnay from Caret Cellars. Creamy and rich, with apple blossom and pear aromas and a hint of butter, with balanced tannins and dryness.
Zinfandel possesses a richness that makes it a good match for hearty dishes, like vegetable stew, especially those with a hit of smoked chili. Check out Jacey Vineyards, which grows and produces its own Zinfandel.
The spicy aromas and peppery notes of French Cabernet Franc pair perfectly with traditional Thanksgiving sides, such as stuffing and candied yams. Try the version from the Trail’s France-trained winemaker at Monroe Bay Winery.
If chocolate will be served for dessert, pick up a bottle of General’s Ridge Vineyard’s General’s Last Call. This Ruby Port styled dessert wine is a blend of American Brandy and Chambourcin, with a full, rich mouthfeel, a nose of dark red fruits, and flavorful hints of plum. Sweet and warm on the finish.
THANKSGIVING & BLACK FRIDAY LONG WEEKEND GETAWAY
Suite at Hope & Glory Inn
Escape the kitchen this year and spend the long Thanksgiving weekend being pampered at The Dog and Oyster’s Hope & Glory Inn. With 13 guest rooms and private cottages, the whole family can gather. You’ll even get a front row seat at the starting and finishing lines of the Town of Irvington’s annual Turkey Trot, a 2-mile and 5-mile race that draws over 700 people!
Sipping wine while you shop sure beats muscling through crowded shopping malls. Several Trail wineries have gift shops onsite where you can purchase special wine gift packs, home decor, gift cards and more.
Apple Cider doughnuts at Ditchley
Inside the multi-room gift shop at Ingleside Vineyards, practically everything–home decor, holiday decorations, and much, much more–is for sale, even some of the furniture! Find wine related items and branded swag at General’s Ridge Vineyard and Good Luck Cellars. Additionally, during special events on the Trail, such as the annual Holiday Sip & Shop (This year, Saturday, December 9.), you might vendors selling handcrafted items, jewelry, gourmet foods and more.
End the long Thanksgiving weekend with Sunday Brunch at Ditchley Cider Works, featuring Cider Mimosas, Apple Cider Donuts, and farm-fresh eggs, meats, and poultry.
Each October, the Virginia Wine Board celebrates Virginia’s heritage as one of the country’s earliest wine producers, beginning with the first settlers of Jamestown in 1609. Today, winemaking in the Commonwealth is a $1.4 billion industry and, with more than 300 wineries within its borders, ranks 6th for the states with the most wineries in the United States.
The Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail is proud to have as a member one of Virginia’s oldest wineries, Ingleside Vineyards, founded in 1980. Owned by the Flemer family since 1890, the historic estate has been designated a Virginia Century Farm, honoring over 100 consecutive years of farm operation. A pioneer of the modern wine industry in Virginia, Ingleside was the first winery in Virginia to produce a méthode champenoise sparkling wine, and one of the first to bottle a varietal Petit Verdot.
Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace AVA
The Northern Neck area, home to all but one member of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, (Caret Cellars is located on the Middle Peninsula) is another birthplace of American wine. Designated an American Viticultural Area (AVA) by the U.S. Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Bureau in 1987, the Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace AVA is a grape-growing region distinguished by its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay and Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers. This AVA is one of only three places in the world where wine grapes grow on the land next to waters where oysters are dredged. The sandy, rocky soil composition is similar to that along the banks of the Garonne River, in the French city of Bordeaux. (Fun fact: Kiki Apple, owner and winemaker at Trail member Monroe Bay Winery learned the craft of winemaking while living in France!)
The sandy loam soils in Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace are typical of this kind of estuarine landscape. Free-draining and low in fertility, they help to stress the vines, lessening vigor and leading to the development of small berries with a good concentration of sugars and acids. This translates into richness and flavor intensity in the wines.
The result is a perfect pairing “where the terroir of the grape meets the merroir of the oyster,” says Dudley Patteson, owner of Trail winery The Dog and Oyster. “A lot of water goes through vineyards. The relationship between oysters harvested from those waters and wine grapes grown beside them result in a pairing that is in complete harmony.”
Where the terroir of the grape meets the merroir of the oyster
Oysters on the Half Shell at The Dog and Oyster
Speaking of oysters, members of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail are busy preparing for the Trail’s annual Fall Oyster Crawl, held this year on November 11 &12. (There is also an annual Spring Oyster Crawl.) Experience local wines and oyster pairings, live music, oyster education, wine deals, and special events at participating wineries, including Ditchley Cider Works, The Dog and Oyster, General’s Ridge Vineyard, Good Luck Cellars, Ingleside Vineyards, Jacey Vineyards, and Monroe Bay Winery.
Save BIG during the Oyster Crawl-or any other day-with the Trail’s limited-edition Tasting Pass and Passport Program. The Tasting Pass entitles guests to one wine tasting at any participating Trail winery (typically representing a savings of at least 50% over normal tasting fees); while Passport holders save up to 15% on wine with the earning of stamps with each visit to a Trail winery.
Celebrate Virginia Wine Month
Harvesting at Good Luck Cellars
During Virginia Wine Month, wineries in the state celebrate with special events, seasonal cuisine and pairings, and deals on wine. Here, on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, guests can experience life as a winemaker by joining Trail member Good Luck Cellars in harvesting grapes. Volunteers who participate in this unique experience learn more about the hand-picked process, have fun and get paid in “good luck” (wine!)
October is also prime cider season, when apples are at peak freshness. Ditchley Cider Works is the only cidery on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, offering a variety of ciders, as well as farm-to-table meat and poultry products. Weekly Sunday Brunch features cider mimosa, cider doughnuts and other seasonal treats. Guests can even sign up to be a farm hand for a day or participate in an archaeological dig on the historic property.
It doesn’t have to be Virginia Wine Month for General’s Ridge Vineyard to celebrate! EVERY month the winery features live music and/or special events, such as Sip & Paints, dances, and more. Guests even have a chance to win an overnight stay at the winery’s Manor House overlooking the vineyard.
Explore the Vineyards
Plane landing at Caret Cellars
Fall is the perfect time to visit a winery – crisp, cool temperatures; blazing autumn colors; fewer crowds – and Virginia Wine Month is the perfect reason! Make it a weekend (or longer!) adventure by staying overnight onsite at the wineries. Several Trail members offer accommodations, including Ditchley Cider Works, General’s Ridge Vineyard, and The Dog and Oyster’s Hope & Glory Inn.
Plan one last boat trip of the season and dock at Jacey Vineyards, situated on a private cove just off of the Chesapeake Bay, and one of few vineyards nationwide at which visitors can arrive by boat. At Caret Cellars, guests have been known to arrive by plane!
For more travel tips and ideas, check out the Itineraries page on our website to find attractions and things to do along the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail.
The Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula of Virginia, where members of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail are located, is rich in history. As kids head back to school, we invite our guests to learn more about places to visit along the Trail–where the past comes alive!
Step back in time to the Northern Neck National Heritage Area, “where the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers meet the Chesapeake Bay”. Encompassing the five Virginia counties of King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland, the Northern Neck is home to eight of Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail’s nine members: (Caret Cellars is located across the Rappahannock River, on the Middle Peninsula.)
Historic Homes, Buildings and Farms on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail
Several Trail wineries have historic homes and buildings that winery owners have lovingly restored to their former glory. Many are available for onsite lodging, with views overlooking the vineyards.
Manor House at Ditchley
The first farmhouse on the land that is now Ditchley Cider Works & Farm was built around 1688 by Hancock and Mary Lee. The Lees are buried in the Ditchley cemetery several hundred yards south of the existing manor house. The Manor House was constructed by the Lee’s grandson circa 1752, and is listed on the National and State Register of Historic Places. Extensive renovations were made to the Manor House over the years, as well as the addition of a caretakers house/servants quarters in the 1930s (now the “Cider House”), a beachside “kit house” in the 50s, and other changes. The Manor House, Cider House, and grounds are available to rent for special occasions and overnight accommodations are available in both houses to support group events.
Ingleside Vineyards has the distinction of being recognized as a Virginia Century Farm, honoring over 100 consecutive years of farm operation. Built in 1834, Ingleside first served as a boys’ school known as Washington Academy. During the Civil War, it was used as a garrison for Union troops and later a courthouse. Since 1890, the Flemer family has owned and operated this historic estate and for the first fifty years, it functioned as a dairy farm. The estate evolved into a wholesale nursery and later added a vineyard after stumbling upon the fact that its location and conditions are prime for growing high-quality wine grapes. A pioneer of the modern wine industry in Virginia, Ingleside is one of the oldest wineries in the Commonwealth and was the first in the Northern Neck.
Originally built in the mid 1800’s, the renovated Manor House at General’s Ridge Vineyard invites overnight guests to step back in time to a world of peace and beauty. Nestled on secluded grounds, the huge wraparound porch and balcony of the house allows for striking views of the sun rising over the vineyard. The three-bedroom, two-bath home sleeps six, and has a full kitchen and dining area.
The manor house at General’s Ridge
Only four families have owned the land upon which Rivah Vineyards at the Grove is founded. Built in 1832, the present, ancestral home of the present owners was one of very few brick houses in the county that was on the water. The old kitchen building with its huge chimney is next to the house. A 1799 deed documenting the sale of the property from Daniel Crabb to Stephen Bailey notes “Burial ground reserved,” though, to date, it has not been located.
The Dog and Oyster is located on the grounds of The Hope & Glory Inn, a former schoolhouse built in 1889. (In the 40s, the property was used as a rooming house called King Carter Inn.) Owners Dudley and Peggy Patteson have maintained the charm and character of the Chesapeake Male and Female Academy, even naming rooms in the boutique inn in honor of the old school. Guests can play Hooky at the poolside patio dining area. Then sit in Detention, the inn’s full-service bar, to enjoy a cocktail before dinner at The Colonnade, named for the ten Doric columns that frame the fine dining restaurant.
Historic Attractions Near the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail
Three of the first five U.S. presidents were born in the Northern Neck: George Washington, James Monroe and James Madison. Three Trail wineries are located near their birthplaces.
Monroe Bay Winery is just minutes from James Monroe Birthplace & Museum. Here you will find Birthplace Home, an exact replica of Madison’s original childhood house. The Visitors Center focuses on the life of James Monroe following the time he left his birthplace home, including discussions of his military and political life.
Just a short drive from Caret Cellars is the Historical Marker for the Birthplace for James Madison, “Father of the Constitution” and fourth president of the United States. Though the actual home in which Madison was born is no longer standing, guests can stay at Belle Grove Plantation Bed & Breakfast, built in 1791 on the same homestead.
Just a few miles from Ingleside Vineyards is George Washington Birthplace National Monument, 551 acres of land where seven generations of the Washington family lived and where George Washington was born in 1732. Gain insight into the life of George Washington and those who lived, worked, and died there via the Visitors Center, numerous outbuildings, a museum, Colonial Revival Garden, Washington family burial ground, and more.
Stratford Hall Wine & Oyster Festival
Also in the vicinity is Stratford Hall, a National Historic Landmark and home to the Lee family, including signers of the Declaration of Independence. With Stratford’s two-thousand acres of natural and human history are The Great House, circa 1738, and other historic buildings; galleries; gardens, a grist mill and more. Stratford Hall hosts a variety of events year-round, including the annual Wine & Oyster Festival every September. Enjoy wine from Virginia wineries (including several Trail members), distilleries, local oysters, food trucks, beer, artisan booths, live music, car shows and more.
Fewer than a 30-minute drive from General’s Ridge Vineyard is National Historic Landmark Menokin, home of Francis Lightfoot Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Menokin has made headlines the last few years for The Glass House Project, the only one of its kind in North America. The reconstruction process of the historic home (“dynamic preservation”) reveals the very fabric of the ruin in its current state, with missing portions of the original house replaced with architectural glass.
The rich farming history of the rural Northern Neck is illustrated via The Northern Neck Farm Museum a short distance from Trail winery Jacey Vineyards. The museum, which helps visitors understand the unique lifestyle of agriculture and its many contributions to the nation, was born from the farm equipment collection of local farmer Luther Welch and grew into what is now a five county regional museum.
Named one of the Top Three Historic Sites in Eastern Virginia by the readers of Virginia Living Magazine, Historic Christ Church is one of the best-preserved colonial churches in the United States. Built 1732-35, it is notable for its unique Georgian design. Located in Weems, Christ Church is not far from Trail members Ditchley Cider Works & Farm, The Dog and Oyster, Good Luck Cellars, and Jacey Vineyards.
Historic Towns Along the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail
Caret Cellars is the only Trail member located on the Middle Peninsula, off of the Rappahannock River, in the small town of Caret, in the historic county of Essex, Virginia. The nearby town of Tappahannock offers a Historic Town Walking Tour, designed to take visitors back to the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, showcasing buildings such as Scots Arms Tavern, the oldest house in the town, built in 1680; the 1760 Customs House; St. John’s Episcopal Church, constructed in 1849; and others, all located within three blocks of one another in the central downtown area. Additionally, visitors can learn more at the county museum and tour 37 Essex County historic markers and war memorials honoring those who fought in the French and Indian Wars, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, World War I, World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War.
Originally known as “The Crossroads” (due to its beginnings as the intersection of Indian paths), the Town of Kilmarnock, home to Trail members Good Luck Cellars and Ditchley Cider Works, was first settled in the mid 1600s. Today, Kilmarnock is the commercial hub of the Northern Neck and the largest incorporated town in Lancaster County. In addition to the restaurants, shops, art galleries, and outdoor events in its charming downtown, Kilmarnock invites history lovers to visit its museum, located in the oldest remaining house in town. The main house cottage at the Kilmarnock Inn was constructed in 1884. Named The Wilson House for the 28th U.S. President, Woodrow Wilson, it is one of eight guest cottages named for Virginia-born presidents. One of the Commonwealth’s oldest pecan trees, at over 200 years old, stands proudly here on the Inn’s grounds.
The riverfront colonial port of Kinsale, home to Trail winery Rivah Vineyards at the Grove, was–and continues to be–a major export town, first with colonial deep draft ships, shallow draft schooners, and steamboats and now with barges. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Kinsale Historic District offers a walking tour that includes the Kinsale Museum, The Great House, an early-19th-century cemetery, and other historic properties. During the War of 1812, the Royal Marines Battalions raided the entrance to the Yeocomico River, which concluded with the capture of four schooners. The town was again attacked during the Civil War. A re-enactment is made each year of these invasions.
The Hope and Glory Inn
The Dog and Oyster’s hometown of Irvington, Virginia once thrived as a steamboat town during the 1890s and early 1900s, when steamboats brought goods and travelers to the area. Among the earliest settlements in Virginia, the Town has a centuries-old history and traditions of watermen working its creeks and rivers. Take a walk back in time to when steamboats provided an economic lifeline to the local residents by visiting Steamboat Era Museum, final home for the restored pilothouse of the Potomac steamer, the largest surviving remnant of the Chesapeake Bay steamboat era.
Discover more places to visit, stay and dine while visiting wineries on the Chesapeake Wine Trail on our Itineraries page.
The Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail is located in Virginia’s Tidewater Climate Region, along the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries including the Rappahannock, Potomac, and Yeocomico Rivers. Keep cool while visiting Trail wineries by taking advantage of the opportunities summertime provides to enjoy watersports and other warm-weather fun.
AT THE WINERIES
Courtyard at Ingleside Vineyards
Indoors or out, Trail wineries keep guests cool! Sip inside in air conditioned tasting rooms or enjoy shady spots outdoors. Ingleside Vineyards has several indoor and outdoor seating areas, included a European-style courtyard tucked under a canopy of shade trees.
Slushies aren’t just for kids! Grown-ups can imbibe on frozen wine slushies at General’s Ridge Vineyard and Ingleside Vineyards or Bloody Mary Shots at The Dog and Oyster. For a new twist on oysters, try Dog and Oyster’s Dessert Oysters, introduced by Chef Meseret Crockett, a native of Ethiopia, who infuses flavors from her homeland, such as the cold and sweet lime sorbet that prepares the palate for the fresh salinity and dill of the oysters.
Boating at The Dog and Oyster
BOATING Boat to the wineries! Several Trail members are located in boating communities, with their own private docks or nearby marinas where boat owners can drop anchor.
Jacey Vineyards is one of the few vineyards nationwide in which visitors can arrive by boat. The winery boasts seven docks on its own private cove on Mill Creek, a tributary just off of the Chesapeake Bay.
Sitting on the banks of the Yeocomico River at Kinsale, Rivah Vineyards at the Grove offers stunning views and a dock for shallow draft boats. For deeper and taller vessels, dockage is available just a half-mile walk from the winery (or staff will be happy to offer a ride!), as well as kayak rentals.
Don’t own a boat? No worries! Nestled in the charming coastal town of Irvington, The Dog and Oyster provides charters and late afternoon cruises along Carter’s Creek and the Rappahannock River aboard its Fortier 26 boat, True Love. Boat rentals, marinas and sailing lessons are also available nearby.
SWIMMING
On the water at Monroe Bay Winery
The second-longest public sand beach in the Commonwealth of Virginia just happens to be located in the same town as Trail winery Monroe Bay Winery: Colonial Beach. Several distinct beach areas stretch along the Potomac River for over two miles. The winery itself is situated along 400 feet of secluded and tranquil waterfront on Monroe Creek, just off the river.
For those who love saltwater, but aren’t keen on sand, The Dog and Oyster has a saltwater pool available to guests of the winery’s boutique inn, Hope & Glory. There’s also a romantic outdoor bath located within the property’s “secret garden”.
KAYAKING, CANOEING & PADDLEBOARDING
In Kilmarnock, home to Trail members Ditchley Cider Works and Good Luck Cellars, is the 316-acre Dameron Marsh Natural Area Preserve. One of the most significant wetlands on the Chesapeake Bay for marsh-bird communities, this protected land area provides a designated “hand-carry” boat put-in site that accommodates kayaks, canoes and other small “car-top” vessels.
Located on Dividing Creek, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, Ditchley Cider Works also has a modest sand beach which provides access to protected waters for paddle boarding and kayaking.
Visit our Wineries page to learn more about these and other Trail members’ and links to their websites and social media accounts.
“Falling in Love With Virginia’s Northern Neck Wine Trail” is the theme of four television commercials produced for the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, thanks to a grant from Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC). The commercials were produced by Tactics Branding from Richmond, VA. The 15-second ads will run on select cable channels in the Northern Virginia, Richmond and Southern MD markets, as well as streaming channels in Virginia Beach. They can also be viewed on the Trail’s YouTube channel, along with other videos created by the Trail.
Each advertisement highlights inviting aspects of the Trail, including award-winning wines, majestic vineyard views, historic wineries, entertainment, weddings and special events, signature oysters, winery dogs, and more.
Cathy Calhoun, owner of Trail member Ditchley Cider Works, spearheaded the grant application. The Trail was awarded $10,000, designed to help promote “Virginia is for WINE Lovers” tourism and overnight visitation throughout the Trail and the Commonwealth.
“I’m totally stoked about the VTC grant award to help us produce TV commercials to get the word out about our wine trail,” says Calhoun. “It’s a super program that provides resources for marketing efforts that we as a trail otherwise couldn’t afford on our own.”
Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail’s nine members are spread throughout the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Several wineries offer lodging onsite in stately manor homes, historic inns and vacation rentals.
Watch the first video below, then visit the Trail’s YouTube channel to view more commercials and videos. Ads and videos are also shared on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail’s social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and included in the Trail’s monthly e-newsletter. (Sign up on the home page of the Trail’s website.)
The Commonwealth of Virginia has a centuries-old oyster history, notably the Northern Neck region, epicenter of the Potomac River Oyster Wars. Today, Virginia is considered the Oyster Capital of the East Coast, thanks to the quality, abundance, and variety of oysters locally harvested.
Due to its location, bounded by the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail celebrates these local bivalve mollusks during its Spring & Fall Oyster Crawls, held annually in April and November. Some Trail wineries serve oysters, from across the state, year round.
Designated an American Viticultural Area (AVA), Virginia’s Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace AVA is one of only three (3) places known in the world where wine grapes grow on the land next to the waters where oysters are dredged. The sandy, rocky soil composition is similar to that of Bordeaux; but whereas the city in southwest France has the Gironde estuary and the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers, the Northern Neck has the Chesapeake Bay and the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers.
Virginia’s Oyster Regions
Though all Virginia oysters are the same species, Crassostrea Virginica, the merroir varies depending on where, from eight distinct regions, oysters are harvested.
Map courtesy VA Tourism Corporation
1) Seaside: Initial bold saltiness mellowing into a taste of sweet butter/cream at the finish
2) Upper Bay Eastern Shore: Classic Virginia Bay oyster flavor with balanced salt and sweet, with a savory finish
3) Lower Bay Eastern Shore: Salty and creamy with mellow sweetness with a quick finish
4) Upper Bay Western Shore: Sweetwater oyster with a light cream taste
5) Middle Bay Western Shore: Lightly salty with easily distinguished cream or butter and a pleasant slight minerality
6) Lower Bay Western Shore: Mild saltiness moving to a sweet finish.
7) Tidewater: Salty oyster with sweetness and a smooth finish
8) Tangier/Middle Chesapeake Bay: Traditional Virginia Bay Oyster flavor with a balance of salt and sweet, and a savory butter/cream finish
Wine & Oyster pairings
To take full advantage of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail’s location “where the terroir of the grape meets the merroir of the oyster”, wines should be carefully selected so as to not overpower the wine or the oysters. Consider the type of oysters, their specific characteristics, and how they are prepared in order to bring out and complement their unique flavors.
The Dog and Oyster Micro-Vineyard and Oyster Bar is one of the few places in the Chesapeake Bay region to offer numerous oyster varieties from multiple farms. The Trail winery, located on the grounds of the Hope & Glory Inn in Irvington, Virginia, specially-crafts wines to pair with oysters, and serves oysters in traditional and unique ways: raw, roasted, in a stew or crab salad, part of a charcuterie platter, even as dessert!
Oyster White is a Chardonel and Vidal blend, which enhances the flavor of the oyster. Pearl is 100% Vidal Blanc, crafted after France’s most popular oyster-pairing wine, Muscadet.
Bloody Mary Shooters: “There is something alluring about a shooter,” says winery owner Dudley Patteson (with wife Peggy), credited as being the originator of the Virginia Oyster Trail, which takes visitors through Virginia’s eight different oyster/flavor regions. Made of a freshly shucked local oyster, Gold Standard Sacramento Tomato Juice, and finished off with a celery stalk.
Dessert Oysters were introduced by Hope & Glory’s longtime creative Chef Meseret Crockett, a native of Ethiopia, who infuses flavors from her homeland, such as the cold and sweet lime sorbet that prepares the palate for the fresh salinity and dill of the oysters. The success of this dish already has the Chef and the Pattesons planning more unique entrees for next season.
The Chesapeake Series collection from Trail winery Ingleside Vineyards, located just off the Potomac River in Oak Grove, celebrates the lifestyle and heritage of the Chesapeake Bay region. Labels on the wine bottles showcase a different aspect of the flora and fauna of the Bay and are aptly named Blue Crab Blanc, Coastal Red, Coastal White, and Red Drum. Additionally, the winery’s limited-production Albariño is particularly suited for pairing with local oysters.
Ingleside is a regular participant in the Trail’s Oyster Crawls, frequently serving a variety of oyster dishes by Denson’s Grocery. Rocky Denson, who owns award-winning Denson’s with his wife Blaire, loves oysters and is known for the creative ways he prepares them. When asked if he is the ‘Bubba Gump’ of oysters, Rocky replied, “I guess I am. I fry them, stew them, grill them, saute them, make them with butter and garlic, in oyster stew and even a special sauce from North Carolina. It’s something I love to create because I love oysters. I’ll only put on the menu what I enjoy eating.” Emphasizing Chesapeake Bay ‘Farm to Table’ dining, Denson’s specializes in oysters from the Upper Bay Western Shore region, which yields sweetwater oysters with a light cream taste.
Good Luck Cellars, in Kilmarnock, often hosts The Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association, which teaches oyster aquaculture methods, the benefits of growing oysters and, most importantly, awareness of the importance of helping to improve the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay.
Further, on weekends, don’t be surprised to find a local food truck onsite serving up oysters. Frequent food trucks visiting Good Luck Cellars include Salty Bob’s Oyster & Seafood Co., known throughout the region for its fried and smoked oysters, oyster shooters and more.
Ever have Oyster Pizza? Trail winery Jacey Vineyards offers its Lisa Pizza, a white sauce pizza with spinach and Parmesan cheese, topped with oysters. Or try its Oysters Ala Jacey, oysters baked in a casserole with roasted garlic butter and Parmesan cheese and topped with bacon. Of course raw oysters are available, too!
Did you know that cider pairs particularly well with oysters? The taste of crisp apples complements the oysters and because cider imparts a light, delicate flavor, it doesn’t overpower the merroir of the oyster.
It just so happens that the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail has a cidery amongst its members: Ditchley Cider Works. Another regular participant in the Trail’s Oyster Crawls, Ditchley also periodically features oyster dishes paired with its ciders during special events (including Sunday Brunch) during the season.
Oyster-themed events
In addition to its own Spring & Fall Oyster Crawls, members of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail also participate in offsite events and festivals where oysters are served, such as the Stratford Hall Wine & Oyster Festival, Urbanna Wine and Oyster Stroll, Taste by the Bay and more.
Visit our Wineries page for links to Trail members’ websites and social media accounts to learn more about their oyster offerings. Share this blog with the oyster lovers in your life!
