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Central Virginia - Monticello AVA

Guide to Virginia's Monticello Wine Trail

Essential Tips for survival on the trail.

Of the few places in the country where you’d find a Wine trail, the one at Monticello should easily be on your ‘must-see’ list. This wine trail boasts many top-rated wineries in the United States. The Monticello Wine Trail currently consists of 33 of the best wineries in Virginia and is a definite must-see if wine is what gets your juices flowing.

History of the Monticello AVA and wine trail

The Monticello AVA is the first established AVA in Virginia. Named after its namesake, the residence of the great Thomas Jefferson, it is situated in Virginia’s Piedmont region along the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. Winemaking in this region could be traced back by about 250 years! Thomas Jefferson pioneered this cause, assisting the first wine planters in Monticello. The Monticello Wine Trail is regarded as the birthplace of American wines. Established in 1984, it is an association of Virginia's best and top-rated wine and grape producers, all located within a 25-mile radius around Charlottesville. All share their knowledge, experience, and expertise to develop world-class quality wines that are exported to even the most notoriously famous wine producing locations around the globe.

Experience The Taste of Monticello Wine Trail Festival.

The wine tasting festival held yearly at Monticello is every wine lover’s delight! This 3-day festival gives wine fans a chance to explore and enjoy the authentic taste and flavor of each winery part of The Monticello Wine Trail. If food, drinks, award shows, entertainment, vineyard tours, and merry-making excite you, then the Taste of Monticello Wine Trail Festival is a match made in heaven for you!

5 "Don't Miss" Wineries on the Monticello Wine Trail.

While all 33 wineries on the trail are unique in their own right, 5 of them stand out.

The Cardinal Wine Point & Winery is renowned for its unique and instantly identifiable blends.
First Colony Winery, for its generous 5000 square foot wine tasting room and its pristine Albemarle County location. You'll want to pack a wine picnic basket to enjoy while you linger to enjoy the view.
Pollak Vineyards, for their award-winning lines of Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot blends.
Stinson Vineyard, the trendsetters for incorporating environmental sustainability into this industry, specifically in the Monticello wine trail.
Michael Shaps Winery for the low price but highly refined and quality wines and for being Virginia's sole bag-in-box wine producer.

Wine Trail Route Planner

It is easy to get lost in the sheer magnificence of each and every winery on this iconic Virginia wine trail. You'd be well advised to use a route planner to make sure you do not miss out on some of the most important locations along your vineyard tour. Click to plan your route and visit the top-rated wineries of the Monticello.

Guide to Wine Tasting on the Nelson 151 Trail

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Tags: First Colony Winery Monticello Wine Trail Stinson Vineyards Cardinal Point Winery Michael Shaps Wineworks Pollak Vineyards

Region	Central Virginia Region
Appellation AVA	Monticello AVA
Wine Trail	Monticello Wine Trail

Monticello AVA Wineries

Map of Virginia Winery and Vineyards

DuCard Vineyards

Mountainside Vineyard with Spectacular Views of the Eastern Slope of the Shenandoah National Park

45119 Article rating: 2.0

Visit our gorgeous vineyard and winery bordering the eastern slope of Shenandoah National Park. We offer estate-grown wines with a friendly, knowledgeable staff providing a memorable and incomparable tasting experience. Our award winning wine can be experienced in our white, red, mixed, gold medal or celebration flights. Our peaceful setting is a psychological and wine-ological getaway from the outside world. Live music on the weekends with no cover, family and dog friendly, Virgina Green.

Ankida Ridge Vineyards

Virginia's Little Burgundy

6327 Article rating: 4.0

Ankida Ridge - The Vrooman Family Farm & Vineyard is a family-run, micro-boutique vineyard, farm and winery located in Amherst County at 1800 feet on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Early Mountain Vineyards

Discover the Best of Virginia Wine Country at Early Mountain Vineyards

16786 Article rating: 3.7

Visit Early Mountain Vineyards in Virginia’s wine country, offering award-winning wines, breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and locally inspired dining. Enjoy our elegant tasting room and explore unique events that highlight Virginia’s rich winemaking tradition.

Barboursville Vineyards

Virginia's Most Honored Winery

16858 Article rating: 4.3

Barboursville Vineyards in Virginia offers an unforgettable wine country experience, blending sustainable winemaking, rich history, and award-winning wines. Visitors enjoy scenic tours, intimate tastings, and fine dining at Palladio Restaurant. With iconic wines and historic Jefferson-designed ruins, Barboursville invites guests to immerse in Virginia’s finest wine culture and landscape.

Valley Road Vineyards

A Virginia Wine Experience on the Nelson 151 Trail

17856 Article rating: 4.0

Founded in 2015, Valley Road Vineyard has already garnered a reputation for Great Wine, Great People, and Great Place. With a gold medal-winning, Petit Verdot in the Virginia Governor's Case in its first year, Valley Road has gone on to receive medals for its Viognier and Meritage varietals -- plus rave reviews from visitors for its blends, sparkling wines and rosé. Located at the north end of Route 151, just south of Route 250 in Albemarle County, Valley Road Vineyards serves as the gateway to the Nelson 151 corridor and its beautiful Blue Ridge vistas.

Stinson Vineyard, Whitehall Virginia

A Boutique Winery in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

13364 Article rating: 2.0

Welcome to Stinson Vineyards: A Boutique Winery in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Five Oaks Vineyard - Permanently Closed

4397 Article rating: 2.5

Keswick Vineyards

Born from the Soil and Soul of Virginia

5743 Article rating: 2.5

Discover the enchanting Keswick Vineyards on Virginia's Monticello Wine Trail, a short drive from Charlottesville. This family-owned gem, nestled in the Piedmont region, offers a captivating retreat with its breathtaking landscapes and expertly crafted wines. Visitors can enjoy the lush, rolling hills and extensive vineyards, where the fertile soil and ideal climate nurture premium Viognier, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot grapes. The rustic yet elegant tasting room provides a cozy atmosphere for sampling exceptional wines, enhanced by panoramic views of the countryside. Keswick Vineyards not only serves as a paradise for wine aficionados with its top-tier vintages and educational tastings but also hosts weddings and festivals, making it a key cultural venue. Experience the beauty and tradition of Virginia winemaking at Keswick Vineyards, where every visit promises a harmonious blend of natural beauty and refined taste.

King Family Vineyards

Ultra Premium Wines crafted from the Monticello AVA

20259 Article rating: 4.3

King Family Vineyards is a family owned and operated winery located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Crozet, Virginia just fifteen minutes from Charlottesville. The winery specializes in the production of ultra-premium wines that showcase the remarkable quality and terroir of the Monticello AVA.

Grace Estate Winery

Experience Award-Winning Wines at Grace Estate Winery in Virginia's Picturesque Wine Country

17070 Article rating: 3.7

Grace Estate Winery was established in 2013 with the mission to create wine that exhibited the unique aspects of our Mount Juliet Vineyard. Now more than 20 years after its initial planting, our vineyard yields unsurpassed quality with each harvest, exemplifying the terroir of the Monticello region. The vineyards, as old as 25th leaf, are planted on various soils, and include 12 grape varieties from white wine varietals Viognier, Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, Vidal Blanc to red wine varietals Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon.