Northern Virginia wine tours are an excellent option for Washington, DC, residents craving a change of scenery. These outings immerse you in glorious mountain views and country landscapes, just an hour’s drive outside the city.

There are 16 wine tours available in this area, leaving you plenty of options for maximizing your adventure. Keep reading to discover how to craft an exquisitely enjoyable itinerary for your next trip.

Choose Your Route

The official NOVA guided wine trails serve as a valuable guide for planning your trip, but it’s more enjoyable exploring as you please when you self-drive around the wine farms in this area.

You needn’t let concerns about drinking and driving spoil your fun when you hire a limousine or party bus and a chauffeur for your tour.

Wine farms are large and far apart, so it’s best to decide which wine farms you’d like to visit in advance to make the most of every moment. Be sure to check the following information for each venue:

Location
Opening times
Busy times

This basic information will help you plan the most efficient travel using a map of the wine farms in the area. If you’re interested in seeing a few more of Northern Virginia’s sights along the way, mark them out on your route, too.

Picking the Best Wine Farms

It’s tempting to plan your tour based solely on which wineries make Virginia’s finest award-winning wines, but there are a few other things to consider when deciding which wineries to skip or include.

Some establishments have age restrictions or limits on group sizes. Some smaller wineries can’t accommodate buses, so keep this in mind when booking your transport.

Many wine farms offer more than just wine-tasting and winery tour experiences. Those that supply picnics or have restaurants on-site are an excellent choice for a lunchtime visit.

Smaller establishments may not have catering available and prefer it if you bring your own food. Browse the available menus, and consider your timing when planning a lunch break.

Pre-Book Your Northern Virginia Wine Tours

Saturday afternoons are the most popular time for people to visit wineries. If you’d prefer a more exclusive experience, you should plan your trip for Friday or Sunday.

If you must visit on a Saturday, plan a visit to the best-known winery on your list first. Things often get busier as the day progresses.

Not all wineries require bookings, but it’s always best to secure your spot for the most popular wine-related activities in advance. Wine tastings and winery tours often cater to limited numbers and may reach capacity quickly on busy days.

Relax and Enjoy Your Journey to Northern Virginia’s Wine Farms

It’s never a good idea to visit wineries on a self-drive tour. Most roads in rural areas are narrow and winding with gravel surfaces.

You’ll feel much safer when you enjoy this sophisticated experience in the capable hands of an experienced chauffeur who knows the area.

Planning Guide for Northern Virginia Wine Tours