With the abundance of award-winning wineries in and around Leesburg, wine lovers can experience some of the country’s highest-rated sips without even leaving the state. Our temperate climate and ideal soil conditions are ideal for growing a numerous variety of grapes and have contributed to Loudoun County’s national reputation as a true wine destination.
Whether you’re an avid wine aficionado or just want to enjoy a relaxing afternoon with friends amongst the idyllic Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll find a number of picture perfect wineries within a stone’s throw of Leesburg.
But wine isn’t the only attraction drawing visitors to Leesburg and its surrounds. If you’re a fan of locally-brewed craft beers, you’ll appreciate the booming brewery scene in Loudoun County (which has been dubbed the “Loudoun County Ale Trail, reflecting the rapidly expanding number of popular breweries)
There are too many fantastic wineries and breweries to list in one blog post so I’ll just touch on a few of my personal favorites here.
1. Stone Tower Winery
This popular venue is short 10-minute drive from Woodlea Manor/Leesburg Proper. Due to its proximity and frequent special events, Stone Tower is a favorite among Leesburg residents – you’re sure to run into a familiar face or two during your visit.
Situated against the rolling hills of Hogback Mountain, Stone Tower produces a premium selection of both red and white varietals. With inside and outside tastings available, Stone Tower is a great place to gather with friends and make a day of it. Pack a picnic or snack on the farm-fresh cheeses and other goodies available for purchase. You can bring the whole family (even Fido), as kids and dogs are welcome!
2. Bluemont Vineyard
An extension of local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Great Country Farms, Bluemont Vineyard produces about 6,000 cases of wine each year. With its expansive views of the vast Loudoun County landscape, Bluemont offers a beautiful setting for weddings and other special events especially during Fall and Spring.
Soak in the sun and the view from the deck and try their unique wines by sampling a flight or two. Bluemont also offers a delicious Tasting Room Menu with locally-sourced cheeses and other light fare to accompany your wine choices. Kick off the weekend with Food Truck Fridays and sample some of the most unique food on wheels in the county along with extended winery hours. They also host a number of events each month – from Exclusive Wine Dinners to Yoga and Wine.
3. Fabbioli Cellars
Located off a road dotted by farms in the Lucketts area, Fabbioli Cellars boasts several award-winning varietals. You can find their popular wines in many notable stores and distinguished restaurants throughout Northern Virginia and DC.
They offer group tastings with a twist, pairing artisanal small plates and chocolate with generous Fabbioli samples. Fabbioli is a terrific place to congregate, especially in the Fall, with cozy Adirondack chairs surrounding a warm fire pit to hang out and enjoy the scenery.
4. Quattro Goomba’s
Follow Route 15 towards Middleburg and you’ll find the quaint little winery of Quattro Goomba. This hot spot brings a taste of Italy to Loudoun County with its Italian wines and outstanding pizza. They offer group wine tastings Thursday through Sunday in a rustic and serene log cabin.
Find a Quattro Goomba blend you can’t live without? Their exclusive barrel program allows you to participate hands-on in the making of your own wine!
5. Breaux Vineyards
The owners of Breaux Vineyards have brought a little taste of New Orleans to their Cajun-inspired winery right outside of Purcellville. In fact, the yearly Cajun Fest is definitely one of Loudoun County’s not-to-be-missed events!
Their production facility (which is part of the winery tour) features state-of-the-art winemaking equipment that has been spotlighted in numerous national publications. Nestled up against the Blue Ridge Mountains, Breaux offers one of the prettiest spots to host a wedding, corporate event or private party in the state of Virginia. In addition to the Cajun Festival, they also host an annual Key West Festival that serves up fun for folks of all ages.
6. The Barns of Hamilton Station
Out of a lovingly restored barn come an impressive variety of Governor’s Cup winning wines. The Barns of Hamilton Station is a mere 10 minutes from Leesburg but takes you back to the tranquility of a much simpler day and time. The vineyards surround the tasting room, located in a farmhouse that dates back more than 100 years.
Along with the traditional wine tastings, The Barns hosts a variety of unique events that include wine blending and painting classes. When you plan your visit, be sure to sample their 2016 Governor’s Cup award blends.
7. Old 690 Brewing Company
It may be a bit off the beaten path, but Old 690 is the place for refreshing craft beer and a family-friendly night out. With more than 9 locally-brewed options on tap, there’s something for every beer lover from Stout to Pale Ale.
Inside the bar, you’ll find plenty of action with live sports on the tube and friendly folks enjoying a pint or two (along with free popcorn for the kids). Outside is a large seating area with a large yard with plenty of room for both kids and pets to play. There’s a selection of delicious bar eats available on weekends with the added bonus of food trucks on Saturdays.
8. Crooked Run Brewing
You don’t even have to leave town to experience Crooked Run Brewing – they’re right in Leesburg at centrally-located Market Station. This comfortable Leesburg staple was started by two entrepreneurial beer lovers who funded their venture via Kickstarter. As word of their seasonally-rotating special brews spread, they began offering their suds in a cozy bar space near several popular eateries in Market Station.
If you find a favorite among their many brews (which won’t be hard to do), take a refillable growler home with you.
9. Belly Love Brewing Company
With a Buddha belly as part of their logo, Belly Love offers pure beer Zen for craft beer fans. The brewery features several year-round brews along with limited seasonal offerings in a spacious and relaxed environment. There’s plenty of room both inside and out to accommodate large parties.
Belly Love’s snack menu goes above and beyond just boring bar food with a tasty selection of dishes from locally renowned chef and caterer, Karen Harper-Fuog.
10. McDowell Brew Kitchen
Grab a seat at the boat bar on the white sandy beach of McDowell Brew Kitchen and you’ll totally forget you’re in the middle of Leesburg, Virginia.
This popular “beach bar” hasn’t skipped a detail in recreating the island vibe, complete with palm trees and sand toys for the little ones. They serve their own craft beers along with those from other local breweries from a bar recreated from an old wooden fishing vessel. In addition to the beach bar, this local hot spot (which was the former location of a kitchen remodeling business) has two inside bars and a complete lunch and dinner menu.
The locations listed above illustrate just a sample of many great wineries and breweries in and around Leesburg. It would probably take a year of weekends to hit them all, which is just another of the countless reasons to consider relocating to Leesburg!
