Plan a trip to explore one of Virginia’s nearly 300 wineries at a Virginia Beach wine festival, in this quickly growing wine destination that wine enthusiasts rave about as Virginia is home to the fifth largest grape producing state in the country.
Fun facts about Virginia wine:
- Virginia has 280 wineries
- Virginia is the fifth-largest grape producing state in the United States
- There are 9 wine regions: Blue Ridge, Central Virginia, Chesapeake Bay, Eastern Shore, Hampton Roads, Heart of Appalachia, Northern Virginia, Shenandoah Valley, and Southern Virginia
- Virginia has seven grape growing regions (American Viticulture Areas), that offer distinct flavors and characteristics
- Our growing season ranges from 160 days to 200
- Virginia has 17 wine trails
- October is designated as Virginia Wine Month
Virginia yields a variety of both white and red wines. Just try not to fall in love too easily when some popular favorites include: Cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, gewürztraminer, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah/Shiraz, and Viognier.
To maximize the wine tasting of nearly 300 wineries, plan a trip around some of our summer wine festivals!
Annual Spring Town Point Virginia Wine Festival
This annual wine festival is a premier event in Virginia that should not be missed. This event will be presented by AT&T and takes place from Saturday, May 6 until Sunday, May 7, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on each day. The festival will include more than 200 wines from over 30 Virginia wineries. Some of the wineries at the festival include Athena Vineyards and Winery, Chateau Morrisette, Mermaid Winery, Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery, Rockbridge Vineyard, Williamsburg Winery, and Glass House Winery.
Tickets start at $30 for a Sunday tasting (early bird pricing); $35 for Saturday (early bird pricing); $75 for VIP tickets. All tasting tickets include wine samples and a souvenir glass. General admission is $25 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday but does not include wine tasting or souvenir glass.
Neptune’s International Spring Wine Festival
The 14th Annual spring wine festival is at 31st Street Park in Virginia Beach on Saturday, May 13 from noon until 5 p.m. Find international wines from countries like Australia, France, Italy, and Spain, and some select Virginia wines. Food trucks will be on-site and you can enjoy live music from Jonny Waters & Co. and The Gold Sauce.
Tickets start at $30 or $35 if purchased at the gate (please note they only offer a limited number of day-of tickets) and include admission, tastings, and a commemorative wine glass.
Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival
Head on into Williamsburg starting Memorial Day weekend, for the Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from May 26 to July 2, the festival brings in culinary creations from around the world and not normally offered in the park. Either try their paired options or find new favorites from the American Southwest, the Caribbean, France, Hawaii, Italy, or the fresh flavors and classic dishes from Virginia at the festival.
The festival is included with your park admission.
Take Virginia wine home with you from the wine festival with more room in your travel budget leftover from booking a room at Sundial Inn with our affordable rates.
