Smith Bowman Distillery, Virginia’s oldest. UPDATE: Ingleside Vineyards has released its first-ever, limited-production Bourbon Barrel Aged Chardonnay, made from 100% Chardonnay and aged in bourbon barrels from the A. Construction of a unique straw bale barn at their vineyard, was recently completed and is the main tasting room at the vineyard and used for winery events, including live music and arts and craft shows, as well as available to rent for banquets, weddings and other occasions. She and boyfriend Walter Lamore began selling their wine at farmers markets and a small tasting room in Town, Monroe Market. Twelve years ago, she purchased land with dreams of planting a vineyard. Purchasing a variety of grapes from local wineries, she continued her hobby, making homemade wine in her garage.
When she returned to the states, Virginia was just beginning to fully enter the winery industry. It was here that Kiki perfected the craft of wine making. As Kiki describes it, “It’s hard to fall in love with France and not love wine.” While working in London she fell in love with the South of France and bought (sight unseen) her first home: a 6 bedroom, 3 bath, stone watermill along a vast river, in a country whose language she barely spoke. Owner Kiki Apple never set out to be a wine maker. Monroe Bay Winery is Town of Colonial Beach’s very own. Begin your trip in Town of Colonial Beach bordering the Potomac River and make your way through the Northern Neck, down to Town of Irvington along the Rappahannock River and back up along the Chesapeake Bay. The area’s temperate climate, mix of sandy loam soil, and coastal waters make its location and conditions prime for growing high-quality wine grapes and producing wine that reflects this unique environment. This 200-mile itinerary takes you through Chesapeake Bay wine region. Contact the wineries you are interested in visiting for their current guidelines.) Northern Neck/Chesapeake Bay Wine Roadtrip (Note: wineries’ policies and operations may be affected due to COVID-19. With Virginia now home to more than 300 wineries (from fewer than fifty just 25 years ago), you can start your roadtrip in nearly any part of the state. Merroir is the individual oyster’s taste impacted by the body of water in which it grew, the algae it fed on, currents and tides, mineral content, and weather conditions.) have all contributed to making the Virginia wine industry a $1.4 billion industry. The combination of inexpensive land, increased rural and agriculture economic development, and the state’s terroir and merroir (Terroir is the unique flavor derived from a vineyard’s terrain, soil, sunlight, water quality, microclimate, and other factors. It’s harvest time at the vineyards, when plump, juicy wine grapes are picked from the vine, cleaned, crushed and left to barrel-age. Oysters are in season, plucked from the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and incorporated into the wine tasting experience. Virginia wine country explodes in a brilliant splash of fall foliage color. October is Virginia Wine Month, a perfect excuse to embark on a Virginia #WanderLove Wine Roadtrip for a girls’ getaway, couples retreat, wine weekend, or Sunday funday!Īutumn is an exciting time to visit vineyards. You’re sure to feel just like a kid again each time you visit the naturally splendid Chesapeake Bay.Cover photo by Susan Turnier, courtesy of Ingleside Vineyards Of course many families are content staying on the beach all day, soaking up the sun and seeing who can build the largest sand castle. You may catch views of peaceful wildlife and rare birds, including American bald eagles, which can be found around the Caledon Natural Area. Pack a picnic lunch, and set off on one of the area’s many hiking trails to peruse the area by foot.
Hop on a fishing charter and find out who can bring home the day’s most impressive catch. Rent a boat or bring your own to discover the pristine scenery past the shoreline. Take part in the plethora of recreation activities available, both on water and land. Otherwise known as Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula or River Country, this region stretches from Colonial Beach to Gloucester, and the areas in between are brimming with history, recreation and plenty of opportunities for families to take advantage of lifelong memories. Rekindle your passion for all things outdoors along the spectacular Chesapeake Bay. Think back to the days of childhood when every precious moment of sunlight meant that you had to be outside playing, exploring or simply basking.
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