Is there a better way to beat the summer heat than with a cocktail made with Virginia’s finest spirits? We don’t think so, and neither do our friends at Belle Isle Moonshine, so they shared some incredible cocktail recipes that will help you stay cool this season. Please enjoy responsibly. – THE CUCUMBER MARGARITA – PHOTO CREDIT: JOEY WHARTON The refreshing taste of cucumber? Check. The sweet heat of Belle Isle’s Honey Habanero? Check. Have we achieved summer cocktail perfection? Check and check. Sipping poolside, not required, but strongly recommended. 2 oz Belle Isle Honey Habanero ½ oz Tr ..read more

 “Eco-friendly” isn’t just a slogan to Virginia wineries; it’s their livelihood. They know there’s no top-tier wine without a healthy eco-system, so their commitment to keeping it green shows up everywhere, from the weed-eating sheep in the vineyards to the solar panel roofs on their barns. Eco-friendliness is also good business; as consumer awareness and concerns grow over climate change, customers are changing their wine-buying habits. Hunter Smith of Champion Hospitality Group, the proprietors of Charlottesville’s Brasserie Saison and six other restaurants, says customers are becoming ..read more

The latest addition to Virginia’s craft beverage industry, the Fermentation Farm Trail winds through the pastoral landscape of Louisa County, connecting three wineries, two breweries, and a cidery in a farm-to-glass route. The trail borders Interstate 64 between Richmond and Charlottesville on the southern end and Lake Anna to the north. Find a designated driver and spend a weekend sipping your way along this delicious trail responsibly, or book a charter drive experience for a group getaway to the rural treasures found along the trail.  While it’s possible to visit all six in an afternoo ..read more

While all seasons have their charm when spent in Virginia, spring is especially stunning, as blossoming flowers cover the landscape with vivid splashes of color, grasses turn a rich emerald green, and abundant wildlife emerges from their winter slumber. Rosemont Vineyards & Winery, Photo Credit: Creative Dog Media, @creativedogmedia Spring is in full swing in Virginia once April arrives, and visitors looking to take in the scenery should head to one of the 300+ wineries spread throughout the Commonwealth. Spend an afternoon relaxing at a winery and sampling award-winning vintages, book a w ..read more

Over the last five years, there has been a global trend of consumers seeking natural and organic wines, with sales increasing by a whopping 27% just in the past year. Ideally, natural wines are made from pure fermented grapes that are grown with no pesticides or fertilizers and harvested by hand. Due to the lack of additives, natural wines have a limited shelf life and can spoil easily. Organic wines, on the other hand, while also grown without fertilizers or pesticides, are allowed to have additives and be produced with industrial processes. Low-intervention wines are the environmentally-frie ..read more

As summer weather reaches its peak in August, traveling west in Virginia towards higher elevations can lower temperatures by ten degrees or more. And with kids still out on summer break, you may want a destination that offers fun yet educational opportunities to keep them learning year-round. However, you may be looking for an adults-only getaway where your R&R includes a healthy side of luxury.  Combining these two opportunities and conveniently located near the northern entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the southern gate to Shenandoah National Park, Charlottesville is one of V ..read more

With more than 500 wineries and breweries, Virginia has a rich wine and brewing history and was once home to the nation’s first Black-owned winery, Woburn Winery. Despite an increasingly more diverse demographic of wine and beer consumers, today, less than one percent of the wineries and breweries in the nation as well as in Virginia are Black-owned. So, on your next trip to a Virginia winery, brewery, or retail store, consider supporting one of these seven pioneering Black-owned wine and beer companies. Delaplane Cellars Photo Credit: Taryn White, @TarynTraveler First opening its doors in 200 ..read more

The 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup Case recognizes the best of the best wines in Virginia, choosing a select few to represent the over 300 wineries found throughout the Commonwealth. Although you can sometimes find wines from these vineyards at the local grocery store or gourmet shop, visiting the wineries allows you to see where, and sometimes how (when tours are available), these award-winning vintages are produced, tasting exceptional wines against the stunning backdrop of Virginia’s wine country. Use this 2022 Governor’s Cup Case guide to help you decide which Virginia wineries to visit this ..read more

Shenandoah County is lauded for its beauty and wealth of outdoor entertainment options. But Virginia is also known as the “birthplace of American wine,” and residents have been growing and pressing grapes here for 400 years. Shenandoah County is home to nine vineyards that produce tasty and complex wines and take advantage of some of the area’s most impressive views. And while you might think the wine and natural landscapes are all you need to be happy, Shenandoah County also has a thriving art culture. From a historical pottery exhibit to world-class street art to workshops in pastel paintin ..read more

Let’s be honest, it’s hard to beat a glass of wine after a hike, especially at a bucolic vineyard with wide-open views at one of the best wineries near Shenandoah National Park. Imagine settling in to an Adirondack chair, glass of award-winning wine in hand, savoring wondrous mountain views. Ahh, heavenly. Shenandoah National Park is large though, nearly 200,000 acres. There are hikes all along the 105-mile stretch of Skyline Drive, which runs north to south through the park. There are four park entrances between Front Royal and Waynesboro, and several other access points from the outer park b ..read more