5 Great Wine Events near Charlottesville this Fall
Looking for adventures in a vineyard this fall? Since wine tasting can happen safely in the great outdoors and fine vintages have been known to ease anxiety, area winemakers have put together a full calendar of events to appeal to those eager to go afield. Here’s our list of what’s best:
1. The Festy at Chisholm Vineyards
Perhaps the most dramatic and innovative development in Virginia vineyards this fall is the relocation of the itinerant Festy music festival to Chisholm Vineyards in Albemarle County. Chisholm, led by owners Andrea and Charlie Matheson, is a popular vineyard just north of Charlottesville with delicious wine, an elegant venue and long record of hosting popular local musicians under its pavilion. Beginning in late September, The Festy officially became headquartered at Chisholm in a field carefully potted and partitioned into virtual boxes that allow small groups of vino-music fans to enjoy themselves in the fullness of Virginia’s autumnal countryside. Attendance is limited to 200. The musical acts are rich. Buy tickets online. The hills are alive with music and wine, and we highly recommend this experience.
2. Live Music at Delfosse Vineyard, Sunday afternoons beginning September 27
Delfosse is a 27-mile cruise down 29-South from Charlottesville but time seems to slow down when you head that direction, so who’s counting?. Once you arrive at Delfosse, you’ll marvel at their vertical terrain and handsome facilities. On Sundays Rrelax and listen to music while you sip their blue ridge vitae. Check their website for Event Updates.
3. Shakespeare in the Vines at Hark Vineyards, October 24
In collaboration with the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Candace and Aaron Hark are introducing the bard to the grape. Located in Earlysville, Hark plans an evening of music and monologues starting at 5pm. Food will be available from local celebrity chef Laura Fonner’s Dumplin’ food truck!
4. Polo at King Family Vineyards, Sundays beginning at 10am
If you haven’t sipped wine and noshed along the polo grounds at King Family, what are you waiting for. Sinewy riders on muscular horses dart hither and yon before a pink & green foreground and a blue ridge backdrop. Through mid-October, field and weather conditions permitting.
5. Thanksgiving Celebration at Barboursville, November 26
For more than two decades Barboursville Vineyard has uniquely served a Thanksgiving feast with Italian flair. Guests can enjoy a 4-course menu featuring Barboursville Turketta, paired with their wines (full menu available on website) and stroll through the vineyards and ruins after. A single seating begins at 1pm. $90 per person/$120 per person with wine pairings.Reservations required.
In addition to these, expect a robust musical line-up in vineyards throughout the Fall. After all, winemakers have a good eye for the harvest. Especially be on the lookout for musical tastings at these three wineries:
Thirsty Thursdays at Knight’s Gambit
Sunset Soirees on Fridays at Chisholm Vineyards
Live Music on the Hill on Sunday afternoons at Pippin Hill
