Truly cannot recommend Early Mountain enough! It is one of the most beautiful wineries I've visited- the tasting room reminds me of Crimson Lane or Barboursville- and definitely one of the more upscale options of the wide range of Virginia wineries. The wines are excellent and there are several tasting options you can choose- I believe there was a red flight, a white flight, and a "signature" option that had both. You also have the option to build your own flight, which I always love. The 2024 rosé is a standout, we picked up several bottles to bring home. We could not believe how good the food was- it was worth a trip in its own right! It's on the pricier side but it is clear why, the plates wouldn't be out of place at a fine dining restaurant. We also had the kindest server, Chelsie, who made our experience so special and memorable! She stopped by to chat several times, gave us great recommendations, and she could not have been nicer to me and my friends. We were lucky enough to attend our dear friends' wedding here and it was a spectacular wedding venue. The space is just beautiful and the catering was incredible- some of the best wedding food we've had by far. We liked it so much we came back to visit the tasting room the next day :) This is a perfect stop on the way to Charlottesville from the DMV and a gorgeous place to spend an afternoon. read more

This place is absolutely gorgeous. We showed up with a group of 6 and they were more than accommodating to us and fit us in. I cannot stress how beautiful this place was. The view was amazing. I can imagine in the summer when they have someone out there performing or the fires lit, it's amazing. I got the experience flight. Loved the red wine options. Buratta and cheese board were amazing and so beautifully plated. read more

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We stopped by Early Mountain Vineyards while traveling through the area on a really nice spring day, and the property itself makes a great first impression. It's a beautiful setting, well maintained, and feels more like a destination than just a winery. Inside, the tasting room is clean, modern, and comfortable. They've also got private rooms and event spaces, and you can tell this place is set up well for weddings and group events. The outdoor patio is a great spot too, especially with the views, and it's dog-friendly, which was nice to see. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and everything moved along smoothly. We ordered two wine flights, a cheese plate (added salmon), and two half-baguettes (basically one full). The food was good and nicely presented, no complaints there. That said, at about $180 total after tip, it felt a little pricey for what we got--especially the cheese plate, which was on the lighter side for the cost. The wine was enjoyable, just didn't quite stand out for us personally. With how nice everything else is, it feels like it has the potential to really shine. The outdoor experience was a little mixed. There were quite a few bees around, and while they weren't aggressive, they were definitely a nuisance, and it was enough that a couple nearby tables moved inside because they couldn't really relax. Also, deliveries and service activity happen within view of the patio, which takes away a bit from the otherwise nice setting. Overall, it's definitely worth the visit. The property is beautiful, the setup is impressive, and it's an easy place to spend a relaxed afternoon. It feels really close to being something special. read more

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Early Mountain has my heart. I've been a club member for a year now because they keep impressing me time and time again. My friends and I did the elevation tasting yesterday. It was my third time doing it but the first time for most of them. All of us were blown away from start to finish. They are so incredibly accommodating and all of the wines were exceptional. We have a number of food allergies in our group that they handled with absolute care. Early Mountain manages to feel upscale without being stuffy or exclusive. The food menu is just as fantastic as their wines. Grab lunch while you're there! The new elevation tasting format is wonderful. They pair small bites with each wine in the tasting. While we enjoyed the old format, this new one takes the experience to another level. I could go on and on about how much I love this vineyard but you'll just have to check it out for yourself. read more

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What an amazing experience exploring the Prix Fixe tasting menu at Early Mountain Vineyards along with the recommended wine pairings!! Absolutely every course was an incredible culinary experience, and every detail was beautifully curated and covered. The progression of courses was exceptional - and I cannot wait to visit again and try Executive Chef, Tim Moore's next curated menu. The Roasted Carrot & Fennel Bisque was so velvety and deeply flavorful - it was the perfect warm and inviting start which was complemented by their sparkling Brut. The Virginia Apple Tarte Tatin was a personal favourite of mine - the caramelized onions, chèvre, and herbs created a perfect balance of sweet, tart and savory. The New Frontier Bison Ribeye was tender, and paired beautifully with the local greens and rosemary demi-glace. So glad I included the wine pairings to really experience the full breadth of each course. The food, wine and service were ALL beautifully and thoughtfully executed - it really was elevated dining in stunning Virginia wine country . The vineyard was elegant but not pretentious, and also they staff were very accommodating - especially as I was there with my dog. All of their staff were warm, knowledgeable, and attentive. read more

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Ellie delivered exceptional service. The wines were good, though a bit sweeter than we'd normally prefer. The food was a pleasant surprise, truly delicious. And the venue was gorgeous. read more

This is a stunning spot to taste wine, grab a bite to eat, and just enjoy company with friends. We don't have as much time here as I would have liked just due to our tastings running long, but the staff was super sweet and accommodating to our more speedy visit. The inside is beautiful with lots of natural light and the food is great. We tried the caviar and the Brussels sprouts. The wine is a little expensive if you want to take a bottle home but it is good wine. Please make sure to stop here when in Virginia wine country! read more

Early Mountain Vineyards - Interior - Wineries Near Me - Madison, Virginia

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Gorgeous setting, great wine, and gracious service--with a few food surprises Early Mountain Vineyards is a must-visit if you're near Charlottesville. The outdoor patio is absolutely stunning--peaceful, beautifully landscaped, and dog-friendly, which made our afternoon feel extra special. We really enjoyed our wine flights and ended up getting a couple of glasses to sip while relaxing with our pup. It's the kind of place that invites you to linger. The table service was lovely, and the menu had a nice range of options. We ordered several dishes, including the mussels, which were tasty but not cleaned well--several were gritty, and the bread served alongside wasn't warm, which took away from the experience a bit. We also tried the blueberry dessert, which was unexpectedly salty. Apparently it included sea salt, but that wasn't listed on the menu. The saltiness completely changed the flavor profile, and our server kindly removed it from the bill without us even asking--such a thoughtful gesture. Despite a couple of food missteps, the ambiance, wine, and hospitality made this a memorable visit. I'd absolutely return for the wine and the setting alone. read more

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Yes! Everything about this place is just correct. The tasting room and dog friendly outdoor patio are extremely beautiful. There was a wedding there when we arrived and I can see why someone would want to get married in that space. It's stunning. The service was fantastic! Our server, Sarah, was super helpful and attentive. We also met a gentleman who was a food runner who talked to us about his dog, Stella, and he was so kind with our dogs! The food was the best meal I've had in a long time. The Executive Chef trained at the inn at little Washington and he and his team did not disappoint! We had the bread, amberjack, halibut, cavatelli, and bison and everything was delicious and reasonably priced. My partner and I each had a flight and the Petit Manseng was the standout. It was amazing! Tasted like grilled pineapple. Highly recommend this place! read more

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We were promptly sat and Ellie was our server. She was top notch! She quickly brought us menus and asked if we need to time to look at menu or had any questions. She gave us time to take this beautiful place in. When she brought our waters we quickly laughed and said we had tons of questions. She described the menu very well and let us know what foods were of great value and delicious. We were a group of 4 and were sharing everything. We ordered the charcuterie cheese board with salami-this had 3 types of cheeses. The goat cheese by far was my favorite! We also order the burrata and arugula salad. It was so beautiful and had edible flowers on top. It was delicious-I feel it may of needed salt or a bit of balsamic glaze but that's my preference. It was fantastic! The crispy brussel sprouts did not disappoint. They were cooked perfectly and topped with peanuts. The Bison Tartare had a nice presentation and although it doesn't look great-it's raw ground Bison -everyone but me loved it and was very surprised. It had great flavor and came with toast as well. The Taste of Virginia Experience flight was great as well (party with us had) I explained that I was big into wine and liked a sweeter wine. My niece liked the same as well. Ellie brought us 3 wines to try and then we each chose a glass-a sparkling wine and one of the sweeter reds. Ellie made the experience top notch with her service, recommendations and overall performance-she explained the wine club -which sounds amazing if you are local -2 free glasses of wine everyday!!!! She helped us pick wines to ship ($15 shipping!) as well. Can't say enough good things about the entire experience! read more

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You have to stop by this place! Every single dish that I tried was so delicious and the wines were all so good! I took home many bottles and I can't wait to open them up! The most life changing dish was the peach and burrata. The sweetness from the peaches went to well with the creaminess from the cheese. All on the toast with various herbs and sauces was so delicious! My daughter gobbled up all the pasta. It was perfectly cooked and they had the perfect amount of sauce on the dish. The desserts were good too! I can't wait to go back one day! read more

Early Mountain Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Madison, Virginia

Always a great experience, love the wine and the food! The venue is beautiful especially when the weather is nice!

Great wines, really like that they have a more dry wine palate. Edwin was super helpful with the different offerings. We had dinner plans so we weren't able to take fulladvantage of their menu, but the salmon tartare was excellent and they have gluten free options available which was nice. read more

What makes this winery/vineyard a must visit and also one of the best in Virginia? I'm glad you asked. As someone who has now been to 17 wineries/vineyards in MD and Virginia, it's the entire experience from beginning to end. You walk into a beautiful and cozy atmosphere. The service is great, the views are beautiful, everything is clean, and you also are surrounded by staff that truly know their wines. But forget the atmosphere and quality of staff, the food and wines are next level. The attention to detail in choosing the ingredients and flavors and also the creativity is elevated, unique, and expansive. You will not find a menu like this anywhere else nearby. This was my first time trying caviar and I can't say I'm usually a fan of mushrooms, cauliflower, and raisins, but the chef made everything taste delicious. I would have never expected to enjoy the food so much. Even the grilled bison ribeye. I've tried bison once before and it wasn't bad but this bison was perfection. To put it to you plainly, everything was so good, I wish I had a second order of everything. You ever just eat something and nod your head and be at peace? That's how I felt while eating this food. And the wines were perfect pairings! I loved how light and crisp the Early Mountain, Pet Nat Blanc '23 was. I also really enjoyed the light hint of fruit with the Early Mountain, Chardonnay '22 and how bold but not overpowering the Early Mountain, RISE '19 was. And lastly, the Early Mountain, Brut Rose, NV was paired with our chocolate dessert and seemed to have a taste of a hint of chocolate which I thought was fascinating. I'm not a huge fan of chocolate, but they made this dessert pairing very good. This culinary experience is $80 without the wine pairing is $130 with the pairing. They also have a rental home on their property if you prefer to make a night or weekend out of visiting there. It was beautiful and cozy! read more

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Absolutely loved this place, tasting and food will cost you about $250 for two. 1. Reservation: a must. They're always fully booked 2. Service: servers were very friendly and nice. The manager dude comes out and checks on all tables but skipped us, I wondered if it was because we were the only not all white people table. That was weird, although I wasn't into chatting with a stranger, I hate when you treat your customers differently. 3. Food: 4-4.5 stars I read they were the best food in a vineyard place, it may still be true given the 'vineyard' as a filter. It was quite good, but I won't go as far as to say the best ever. 4. Ambience: really beautiful calming view, nice indoor space, clean bathrooms and tall ceilings make it very serene 5. Outdoor space is great too, with a little stage where bands can play and all tables having equally good view of it. I still think it's a great place, quite expensive compared to other wineries, but worth it. read more

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Perfect Sunday Funday adventure! This vineyard is super cute! Kind of far but well worth the drive and experience. Just loved the aesthetics of this place. The vibes were just what we needed to unwind and enjoy the moment on a beautiful fall day. We dined inside and each of us chose a different flight. I ordered the "Blanc" tasting which I enjoyed. A flight of all white wine selections...Nothing really stood out for me to want to share a bottle of and surprisingly neither did of the wines from my friends selections, which 2 opted for the "Taste" which had more variety, which included a white, red and rosè wines and the other had the "Fall" which were red wines. Since nothing stood out for us- we just opted to enjoy a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc which was very nice! Smooth and refreshingly crisp! I feel like a Sauvignon Blanc is always a safe choice... To start we had a baguette with butter and a charcuterie board. The bread was nice and warm...freshly baked paired well with the butter. No complaints on dishes...maybe adding a bit more options...but making due with what was in the menu I ordered a couple small plates: the mussels which were a bit bland...and the Brussels sprouts and they were delicious. The Ribeye and Halibut dishes were also good options. For dessert we also ordered the Rumchata Pound Cake and Crème Brûlée. Both were delicious as well. I did have an espresso with my dessert and I probably could've done without that! But I LOVE espresso!! the espresso tasted like it was burnt or maybe not filtered enough...very bitter and not the taste I was expecting. Anyhoo all in all the grounds alone we're just beautiful. Outside you could feel the breeze of fall vibes in the air! Maybe adding some hot coco/cider for those wanting to venture outside...but I guess with enough wine it'll definitely warm you up!!! Hahaaa! *Cheers!!* read more

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Winemaker Magazine trip to Charlottesville, VA Day 3 Early Mountain Vineyard is a prominent winery located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Madison, Virginia. The tasting room is the highlight, providing a welcoming atmosphere where visitors can sample wines, enjoy local cuisine, and take in the picturesque views. Owned by Jean Case, EMV employs Maya Hood White as their winemaker and except for a few roles is largely ran by women. Fantastic food being created by Tim Moore, Executive Chef, and we were certainly well-attended to by Michael Seay, Director of Wine & Hospitality, both of Inn at Little Washington fame. This venue is simply stunning! read more

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This was a meh visit and left me unsatisfied as far as wineries go. I felt like the staff was a bit on the cold/snobby side of things and the inside is just for the restaurant, so it doesn't feel like a normal winery and you're not treated the same if you don't have a reservation for the restaurant. However, we only wanted to stop in for wine. Walking in, we felt like we were maybe in the wrong place and when we walked up to the counter where wine was being served, they didn't really pay any attention to us. When they finally attended to us, we were told we needed to go back to the front "desk" (aka the stand with no one there) to "check in"... we did this and then someone showed up and told us we were good to proceed back to the counter... but they never took our name or anything. All in all, just a weird experience and I did not feel very welcome. The wine was just ok and was pricey - unfortunately not enough to make me come back. View outside was decent but I wouldn't return because I really didn't feel that comfortable here. read more

Early Mountain Vineyards - Novum 22 - Wineries Near Me - Madison, Virginia

Ambiance was nice and grand; the interior was elegant and beautiful. It's the perfect spot to splurge on food and wine if you're up for the drive. My friends and I drove almost two hours to Early Mountain Vineyards this past Friday afternoon since it was on our way to our cabin getaway. The hosts were really accommodating and changed our reservation from outdoors to indoors instantly despite our large group size. However, our server wasn't really paying too much attention to our group so we definitely had to wait awhile to get her attention (to get the check and such). MUSSELS - 19 This doesn't seem to be on the menu anymore since they change their food very regularly. There was a good amount of mussels, but one of them wasn't cracked open so I was disappointed that it felt like a waste? The bacon au jus was interesting and unique and the mussels soaked up the flavors decently well. I also enjoyed most of the au jus by itself once I finished eating the mussels. Overall, not bad, but not sure if I'd recommend it. BISON TARTARE - 23 I only had a bite of this, but I'd highly recommend it. One of my friends ordered it because he was curious about how they used Asian-style flavors to create the dish (description: Grilled Rye, Koji Sauce, White Shoyu, Tokyo Turnip, Garlic Two Ways). This was phenomenally done as the tartare was very delicious and well worth the price. It also sat on top of a piece of crispy rye toast that was somehow just really impressive. I really enjoyed this and is the reason why I'm giving this establishment a 4/5 on Yelp. FALL - 24 This is the wine tasting we had (2 white wines and 2 red wines). This is probably my first wine flight which I ended up sharing with a couple friends. I'm not a huge wine expert (and honestly don't really drink), but one of the red wines was relatively enjoyable. The white wines were just OK. Overall, you get 2 oz. of each wine and definitely worth giving it a try if you're a wine flight fanatic! Overall, above average experience. This is my first time going to a vineyard and it definitely made me want to check out more in the future since there's so many in Virginia! I should probably be more open trying the wines and not just the foods, though. read more

Early Mountain Vineyards - Fall Wine Flight - Wineries Near Me - Madison, Virginia

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Had a lovely experience at Early Mountain. The views of the Shenandoah valley were stunning and the food selection was delicious. Started with the hipster wine flight. Our favorite was the cider not sour at all and had citrusy and sweet notes. Also had a dessert wine which was our second favorite and kinda had a honey taste. The brushetta was great almost tasted like I was eating a deconstructed oyster with the anchovy flavor. The tartare was fresh and delicious. The fusilli was fresh and flavorful as well, liked the pine nuts in the pasta. Scallops were pretty good a little overcooked however. Yuzu cheesecake was pretty good as well but not knock your pants off though. Overall a fantastic experience especially with our well behaved pooch. read more

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My husband and I stopped here on our way home to Northern Virginia from Charlottesville. We had never visited before and I thought the property was beautiful. The downside was that the day was rainy and we had our dog. Even though it was raining, we were told we had to still sit outside on the back patio because we had our dog with us. We still ordered some wine, because we wanted to at least try the wine, since we had never been to Early Mountain before. Overall, I think the property and the building are beautiful and there is ample of parking for them to be busy when needed. But, I think we would have enjoyed the experience more, if we had had the opportunity to experience inside. Yes, we could've come on a day without the dog or come with the dog on a day where the weather was better, but we live a good 2 hours away. But, because of the experience we had, I believe it unfortunately put a sour taste in our mouth. If/when we're ever in the area again, I may consider trying them out again, but again, we aren't in the area often enough. read more

I will never go back to this winery because of the way the manager treated my friend who is the hostess. my friend sat us at the outdoor patio as we had a dog. she was so professional and had to be our server as there was no one working outdoors. She brought us our wine, food, etc and spent only enough time to tell us the merits of the wine. well she was reprimanded for spending too much time with us (the place was SLOW as it was the end of the day). my friend was sent the basement to clean and we couldn't say goodbye. unbelievable behavior by the manager and this winery has lost my business and all of my friend's business also. read more

After driving over an hour and a half and booking an air bnb near so we would not have to drive back home, I was a bit disappointed in my first experience at Early Mountain. I have been wanting to try them for quite some time after following them on social media. The winery is beautiful and the service itself was top notch. The hostess who greeted us was smiley, warm and inviting. The waitress came over almost immediately after we sat down to greet us and go over the menu. The tasting menu was the plan I had in mind before coming however, after arrival I saw it was all vegetarian which is nice for veggie lovers but most things didn't peak my interest. The couple of items on the tasting menu that I did wanna try were not able to be ordered à la carte. We were off to a good start, we ordered a bottle of EM wine that was recommended by our waitress which tasted great. Next came the crab salad which surprisingly was my favorite dish of the night. For $36 the cheese board was the start of my disappointment. It looked nice but was just lacking. We ended up needing more bread which cost $8 more for 3 more pieces bringing the cheese plate over to over $40.00. The ribeye bison was cooked to just the right temperature, however when you got to the middle it went from being tender to very chewy. The scallops were over salted and cut in half so half of it was missing the known scallop sear. I am not 100% sure of what the name of the wine "cocktail" was that I ordered, I saw it come out for another table and requested one from our waitress. It was so delicious that I ended up ordering three more. Although the visit was not the one I expected I truly hope this was just a fluke. I will be back in the area again in June and look forward to giving Early Mountain another opportunity. read more

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Enjoyed a nice late Sunday afternoon here at Early Mountain. We didn't have a reservation but that was no problem as we were quickly seated. My guy and I shared the mixed flight (can't recall the name) of reds, whites and a rosé. For food we ordered the half baguette, butternut squash soup and crispy brussel sprouts. Everything was warm and delicious! Our sever was attentive and helpful. We each had a glass of wine after our meal. The sparking rosé was divine! We thoroughly enjoyed our time here and hope to be back soon! read more

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I had a good experience at this vineyard. I tried a white wine and a rose wine which were both refreshing. They also have a food menu. I enjoyed the burger that I had. They have both seating inside and outside. The outside had a nice view of the surroundings and the inside had an elegant country vibe. I also got a wine mug from here which has come in handy. read more

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Amazing ambience. Rosé super delicious. Kailey is a great server. Kitchen was backed up, therefore the bison ribeye was on the house (a very professional touch for the delay in service). Would come again! read more

Early Mountain Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Madison, Virginia

Service was great. Wine is really good as well. Don't come on an empty stomach tho. The food is so Amazing but not meant for an actual meal. The ambiance is one of a kind. Loved every minute of it. read more

Early Mountain Vineyards - Bison ribeye - Wineries Near Me - Madison, Virginia

We came to Early Mountain Vineyards for a Sunday brunch. We were immediately impressed by the interior decor and setting of the restaurant. The menu offers both fixed price and a la cart options. Each dish comes with a wine suggestion. I tried the fixed price menu but did not include the wine paring. The food was very good but was slightly over-seasoned for me. I think the food is meant to be enjoyed with the wine. My friends who included the wine paring really loved their dishes. Overall, we had a lovely time. read more

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We had Chrissy as a waitress, she as a great personality and took great care of us. Food was great! Everyone enjoyed their wine. Its a real nice setting indoors and out. read more

This was my third time visiting Early Mountain and I'm impressed with each visit. Edwin our host made this a lasting memory. He gave my mom and aunt who was visiting out of town the best service ever. He went the extra mile and even took the best pictures of us! We are def looking forward to visiting again and thank you again to Edwin! read more

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First off the Whole Restaurant and the vineyard/property is absolutely stunning (both inside and outside). It's Fancy and yet casual. The service and the food was absolutely INCREDIBLE--like Michelin Star quality. I recommend doing the Chefs tasting 4 course meal/menu. It's expensive but worth every penny! read more

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This place is amazing for several reasons: 1. The ambiance inside screams luxury comfort! (If you don't know what that means...it's nice without overdoing it or making you uncomfortable) 2. The outside seating gives breathtaking views of the mountain backdrops 3. The food was awesome! They only serve dry wines here but their wines are full of flavor and goes down smoothly. read more

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Came back today for yet another 5-star visit. Such a lovely time for my sister's birthday. Thank you, Chelsie, for the impeccable service, as always!! read more

Early Mountain Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Madison, Virginia

OK, so we love Early Mountain Vineyards. Spectacular views, a good food menu, and great wines. Yes, they are a bit pricey, but the price is well worth indulging in these amazingly good wines. They offer their own wines and wines from other local vineyards. So we got there and we had an outdoor table reserved (a MUST to enjoy the beautiful vista). We each ordered a flight of four wines. We got different ones so we could try each other's. There was not one wine on either flight that we disliked. All of them were delicious. I ordered the bison ribeye small plate and Jay ordered the eggplant and cucumber salad. The bison was served atop of a sensational polenta. Creamy and very tasty. The salad that Jay had was also fabulous. Now let's talk about the service. Our server was John, an extremely handsome, super attentive, and most friendly young man. He took some time to chat with us and he made sure we never wanted for anything. The perfect waiter. In fact, ALL of the folks working there are super nice. Everyone that walks by you says hi. We were thanked multiple times for coming. This is a well run, "know what the customers want" place. read more

This place is GORGEOUS, with excellent service, great food, and was the place to teach me that I actually like wine. I came here with a friend's family for his graduation dinner and couldn't have had a better experience. The flights were perfectly paired. Highlights included the view, the bison, and beautiful interior. read more

Early Mountain Vineyards - Wine flights, charcuterie, and bread - Wineries Near Me - Madison, Virginia

Such a beautiful winery and the staff were incredible. The food was delicious and everything was so fresh. The wines are also *chefs kiss*. Highly recommend!! read more

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Delightful experience at Early Mountain this past weekend. We had reservations on NYE and were surprised to see how packed the winery was. My boyfriend and I ordered flights (Quaker Run, Taste, Cabs) and I had a glass of the sparkling rose and Quaker run rose. The red wine varieties and Quaker Run rosé were my favorites. For light bites we got the charcuterie board and butternut squash soup. I must admit this was the best butternut squash soup I've had in a long time. The Apple bits were the perfect addition/surprise. The winery is beautiful inside and out (even on a rainy day). Would definitely make a drive back to enjoy the back patio during the warmer months. read more

I'm very fortunate that my wife used to work for the owner of Early Mountain. It means we get to come here often!! This is easily one of the top 5 wineries in all of Virginia. Combine that with the absolutely fantastic experience you can have here on-site and this place is an absolute winner! The wines here are excellent. The price point for most EM wines is a well lower than that of top California or European wines. I've never tried something here that I disliked; more often than not I have tried something that I absolutely loved. The Eluvium, Vow, and sparkling Rosé are winners. Their wide selection of flights will allow you to experience a lot of things. I also have much respect for their willingness to pour wines from other top Virginia wineries - it helps you learn and compare, and maybe put a new place on your list! The food here is fantastic every time I come by. There is almost always a tartare and a mushroom appetizer that are phenomenal. Main courses are also marvelous. They're so good at looking out for your allergies and issues. Service is always top-notch and I've frequently left 30-40% cash tips just to say 'thank you.' Finally, the grounds and tasting room are just stunningly beautiful. In any season, you can have an absolutely beautiful time here. It's so worth the visit, and you'll keep coming back. read more

Loved this place! Went after a hike with my dad and husband for my dad's 84th birthday. (He hiked 4 miles on the AT and he's legally blind!!!) My husband and I had flights, my dad two glasses of the Madison red. We also got all the apps to share. Anchovies killed it! Chart board was really good too. My dad hit glass #2 and spilled a good amount of it. They gave him a brand new glass. Service was amazing. Atmosphere is both laid back and formal. As I said we came from a hike- we had sweaters and jeans. There was also a bride's maid party- they were all dressed up. All were welcome. read more

Early Mountain Vineyards - Birthday boy!!! - Wineries Near Me - Madison, Virginia

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I made reservations for the 12P Elevated tasting experience for my husband and I. It was $80/pp and I booked a week in advance. We arrived 15 minutes early and we were greeted my very friendly staff. The grounds / tasting area was really beautiful. The music wasn't too loud, but was a nice backdrop. They had just opened, so it wasn't really busy - but by the time we left it was pretty busy. We were escorted downstairs to the private tasting area. The elevated tasting seats 8 people total; we were seated with 3 other couples at a long table. The host that gave us our tasting was a really nice guy, but the lack of information (outside of the winery's history) was slightly disappointing. No tasting notes given...and at one point he just said that we can taste at our own pace and he didn't want to give us notes because he didn't want to tell us what we were supposed to taste. The entire time it felt more like we were at a restaurant and told to drink what was placed in front of us; this felt in no way elevated outside of the venue. Maybe some people prefer the less structured tastings, but I am not that person and at $80/pp I thought there would have been more info / structure to the tasting. After 10-15 minutes we were served a plate of cheese, crackers, olives, and a small hot appetizer. All were lovely and it paired wonderfully with 2 of the 5 wines. My husband and I were excited for the next plate to be served....but sadly that was it. No other plates. I was absolutely stunned and thought for sure that the verbiage on the website eluded to more than a tiny plate of cheeses / crackers.... the website specifically says this: "Join us for a beautifully curated wine tasting and culinary experience in our Wine Library". I am sorry....but a small plate of cheese with a tiny slab of rock fish that pairs with only 2 of the 5 wines is not a culinary experience.... it was a small snack and it left my husband and I starving. We laughed it off and just decided to eat in their restaurant (and pay more money). We were able to get a table for 2 upstairs. The food was pretty good. We had the Chèvre board w/ prosciutto to start. That was a HUGE portion. After that we split the sweet crab salad. This salad took almost 30 minutes to arrive after the appetizer was finished. The salad was good, but not great. After that we ordered a glass of the late harvest and the carrot cake. The carrot cake was so disappointing....dry, weird flavors - just not great. Our server never brought the wine so when she finally came back over I asked her about the wine. Her response was "oh, yeah, it is chilling". Uh, ok. I was a server - I get it...it's busy and we forget things. It's ok. But don't lie about it. The three of us all knew the wine was not 'chilling'. Either way, it eventually got to the table and it was not good. I love a good late harvest / dessert wine, but this is not it. Our server eventually comped the wine because "it took so long to get to us" (her words) - but we never asked for it (and we never finished the wine either). That was nice for her to do, but I would rather have had a server that was a little more attentive and our lunch not to take 90 minutes for an appetizer, a salad, and dessert for 2 people. Overall, this place gets the high rating because of the gorgeous setting. The wine was good, but nothing I would buy to consume at home. The Petit Manseng was the best out of the lineup, with the Cabernet Franc being just decent at best. The wines were flabby with no finish. The food was good and honestly something I would come back for if I knew the service would be better, but for the price and the drive I will just go somewhere local and bring my own bottle. All this being said, I think it is worth trying if you normally enjoy Virginia wines. Just go when it's not busy and don't bother with the elevated tasting - do the regular tasting and just order food. read more