I'm a sucker for wineries. I love them long time. Seriously, though, how can one not love a good winery? Yummy wine paired (or should I say, 'peared' hehe) with breathtaking views, meats and cheeses, and good company equates to a perfect day in this girl's book. Pearmund is one of the larger Loudon County wineries, but its size does not take away from the intimate feel of the place. What I like about this winery in particular is the tastings. They have many different tasting options from which you can choose, and their cellars are the most beautiful I have seen thus far. Not to mention, their staff is super nice and knowledgeable! The wine itself is delicious. I'm more of a red wine girl these days, but Pearmund's whites are too delicious to pass up on a warm summer day. Give the Viognier a try. Delish. Their meats and cheese are a bit pricey, so next time I will be sure to pack up my adorable picnic basket with lots of goodies to take and enjoy on their patio. I may have to splurge for their pate, however. Wow is that stuff good. read more

After our tranquil stay at Mediterranean Winery we then headed out for Pearmund. Again be advised that out here GPS might lag a minute or two which can mess you up major when breezing along at 60 mph. Okay we went in a complete circle there for 5 mins but normally it would be perhaps a 10min drive if that between these two wineries. We even found a gas station called "Sheetz" of which I found very funny too bad we were on a full tank because I would have loved to FTR a place called the Sheetz hehehe. Anyway I digress on to the winery. We arrive finally and though it is not as pleasantly lovely with rolling hill top views as the previous but you can easily see that this is more of a working vineyard. With vines stretched out over several acres. Mediterranean only had about an acre of visible vines who knows they might have more on larger property further up the road from the house so I will not jump to conclusions. Also on the property are these kinda creepy looking barns and in them are lots of those yellow plastic creates they use for the harvest along with other farming equipment.... nice! Inside you'll find a large tasting bar to the left and a counter to the right with snacks and soda and chocolate bars to complement the whole wine tasting/enjoyment experience. The back area features a room with large aging oak barrels, perfect to use for hosting a small group party. As you approach the bar the pourer will hand you a sheet with all of their labels with brief descriptions of each wine and will pour in that order so you don't have to worry about bringing along a notebook or wine journal just have a pen in hand. Tasting fee here is $10 for 14 labels a group fee of $15 for like 6 or more people in a group. I'll be brief and talk about only some of the samples here due to space restraint. 2009 Old Vine Chardonnay - another buttery warm French oak aged wine. Will pair quite nicely with some upland game birds such as grouse, pheasant, quail or wild turkey. 2010 Petit Manseng - A dry white steel tank and acacia barrel aged. Hints of lemony spice and honey but not overwhelming. 2010 Riesling - very crisp sweet the hints of green apple just tasted like green grass juice. Really it reminded me of straight up spinach juice or something. I'll have to pass on this one it just did not appeal to any of us. 2009 Remund's Reserve - can use a a base for Sangria or mulled wine in the winter. Yes we walked out with bottle of this. I love mulled wine in the cold weather heat it up and serve hot. 2010 Sweet Petit - Sweet blackberry finish. Made from Verdot oak treated. Nice after dinner wine to enjoy with some dark chocolates. 2009 Late Harvest Petit Manseng - Oh man I called this one as a Valentines day wine cause it pairs up so well with chocolates or just as a dessert all by itself. 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon - it's 100% Cab no blends just straight and pure smooth finish. Got one of these to enjoy later while we sat near the out door fire pit enjoy the rustic early evening. With this time of year I really look forward to big hearty full bodied reds to pair with venison and stewed beef or pot roast. All of the reds offer here did not disappoint for me however wife did not care for a few of the intense flavored reds nor the very sweet dessert wines. Prices per bottle hover in the $20 plus dollar range and by the glass full of $7. They do offer 10% off if purchasing up to 11 bottles and 20% off for 12 or more bottles. I'm coming back with a bigger wine budget next time. So as the sun was beginning to fade into darkness and our day of wineries was coming to an end. It was nice to just sit out side on such a beautiful day surrounded by vines and drinking of locally produced wine by local people with a passion of what they produce in their home the winery, it was shear pleasure. read more

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Good wine and great atmosphere. We reserved a room in the Farmstore - it gave us a nice comfy space and we were able to try a number of the wines. They were all good- the petit Verdot was a personal favorite. Would definitely recommend. read more

My experience with Pearmund reps throughout the years have proved that they're all pretty friendly. Their wines tend to run on the sweet side. The 2012 viognier surprisingly won me over more than their reds, since I found the 2011 cabernet franc and ameritage to be slightly disappointing. Tasting fee of $10 to pick from reds or whites, without souvenir glassware. Our wine educator didn't object to our sharing tastes amongst ourselves, and ensured that the voters for white wine didn't feel left out when the red drinkers sampled one more wine than their set. Friendly demeanor from the lady who rang us up as well. Bathroom was clean, and there was seating available inside and on the partially-covered patio. Pretty views in the adjacent vineyard towards the barn, some cornhole to the side, and a few local vendors featured in the shop. Cajun crab dip was reasonably tasty for the price point. Next time: sangria and salted caramel cheesecake. read more

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Beautiful property with tons of space to explore! The best wines I've ever had in Virginia. They excel at whites and reds with plenty of options for everyone. They even have an historic house with lots of outdoor space to enjoy wines right next to their main property. read more

For our anniversary this year, my husband and I decided to check out Pearmund Cellars which came highly recommended from a few coworkers. The winery sits on a pretty piece of land set back from the road. The tasting room is large, and I love how its one big square as opposed to separate tasting stations. It makes for better conversation and friend making! What impressed me the most about Pearmund was that out of all the wineries I have been to in Virginia, they not only had the largest wine selection, but also the best tasting. I have traveled the world and have had the luxury of tasting some of the worlds finest wines. I typically am not a Virginia wine fan so I was absolutely delighted to be so impressed. The service and the staff at Pearmund also make it very inviting. They were all very warm, and friendly and when we told them it was our anniversary, they gave us our tastings for free. We enjoyed our experience so much, we joined the wine club. Which consists of a shipment of 3 bottles of wine every 4 months. The cost is around 60 dollars per shipment, which is pretty cheap considering most of the wineries in the area are far more pricey. Our favorite wine is the Riesling, however all the wines are good and far superior to the rest I've had in the area. And what's awesome is that they allow outside food, and offer several tables for picnics etc. We loved our experience at Pearmund and couldn't recommend it more. It is by far our favorite winery in the area! . read more

Beautiful, idyllic location with incredibly friendly service and an immediately comfortable place to be. If you're lucky, you'll meet Redmund, a Basenji, we've had that pleasure. If you're smart, you'll come for more than just a wine tasting, you'll come for the experience. Have a taste (even if you've been there before), buy some for your cellar and then choose something to sit outside and take in the countryside (I prefer the chardonnay). My gf took me there for my birthday and we had lunch and a bottle of wine. They had a musician singing and playing guitar, and while that can sometimes be annoying and a bit lame, they chose very well that day, as they seem to pay particular attention to just about every detail. The best in VA wine. I always end up stocking my cellar with a case of Pearmund's wines. And you don't have to come there to just pick up only whites or reds, because they are both very good. I even like their Merlot (Lisa's Merlot) and I'm normally against it. My personal favorite is their Chardonnay, delicious and rivals any California Chard in its price range, and perhaps more than that. I use the Sauvignon Blanc for cooking (and drinking). Their Malbec is very tasty and the Petit Verdot I really enjoy. Some of their wines (and the winery itself) are very young (and I greatly look forward to what they have in store for the future). So what I do is open a bottle (if its a red), pore it in a decanter and let it sit for 30-60 minutes. It opens it up and increases the depth of flavors. The great thing about this place is it proves you don't have to drive all the way from DC to Orange County for quality VA wines, its a rather simple and relatively short distance to the winery and you just won't be disappointed. read more

Charming! I ave never been to a winery here in VA and this place met all expectations and then some. Got a deal on Specialicious and drove out with a friend to Broad Run (surprisingly easy to get to btw, just a straight shot down 66). We had tickets for a tasting which was just delightful. Pearmund is best at chadonnay although they have a wide selection of wines. Be careful of the files in the summer time though, because of the sweetness of the grapes, they are everywhere! Just move inside to avoid them. Nonetheless, paired with cheese, crackers, or meats from their cafe corner and good company from friends, an afternoon here is one well spent. read more

I have been coming to Pearmund Cellars for years. I have had good experiences with Pearmund until today. I came today for a barrel tasting and I liked some of the wines and was prepared to buy the futures and was on the fence about buying both the 2013 Reserve Cab Franc and the 2011 Old Vine Chardonnay. While at the tasting bar. Chris Pearmund gave me some cheese and told me to ask Tammy, who was taking care of me, to put some bread in the oven for me. I had a date tonight and did not want to have either the bread or cheese that evening. I asked Chris if I could have a raincheck and he said no. He told me that he meant it as a practical joke to Tammy. He was going to put a snake in the oven for her to see. It's terrible to use customers that way. If Chris want to be juvenile and play practical jokes on his employees, he shouldn't use paying customers to do his dirty work, especially when he promises a customer something and doesn't deliver. This cost Pearmund about $300 in sales. I will never come back to Pearmund Cellars. Not There are too many wineries in VA and a lot of them care more about their customer than Mr Pearmund. As I said, I've been visiting his winery for years, but his experience has left a bad taste in my mouth. read more

You can't go wrong with Pearmund Cellars and their sister wineries; Vint Hill Craft Winery and Effingham Manor Winery! They all are unique in their own way and have very different styles of wine. The wine is world class for sure. It's by far the best wine in Virginia with over 40 years of experience in grape growing and winemaking. Also, to drive 30 minutes from Northern Virginia or Maryland you experience the beauty at Pearmund Cellars of driving through the vineyard to get to the winery. They even have a family friendly option at the Pearmund Cellars Farm Store and wine bar on the property. It's located in a historic 1743 Farm House. Cheers wine lovers! read more

Michael was an amazing server and educated me so much on the various wines you all have. Great service and I will be returning soon, when originally going in I did not want to buy anything. but, after the experience that I had with Michael, I left with a case of wine that my family and I have been enjoying for the past month. I plan on coming back and purchasing more. michael went the extra mile, and I hope to see him as a manager the next time I come in. thanks to pearmund and look forward to the continued great service and wine! if you are going, ask to have michael as your server for the best experience :-) read more

I expected more from this place after reading the reviews. There were only two people providing tastings on Sunday. After beginning the tasting I was waiting for the next while the server helped others. Lack of service and time standing and waiting and being ignored, I decided to just depart. I didn't like the music they were playing and the cost of the tasting at 10 dollars should come with better service. read more

Really enjoyed this place. Marleen did our tasting and she was wonderful. Very knowledgeable and let us take our time enjoying the wine. The Black Ops was lovely and the fact that a portion of proceeds go to helping vets transition back to civilian life was the cherry on top. We bought several bottles. Their tasting price was super reasonable and their wines very satisfying. I hope to visit again. read more

Lovely. A friend and I escaped from DC on a recent Saturday, and this place is only about an hour away (without traffic.) Their tasting includes 10 wines, including a good selection of Virginia whites, reds, and dessert wines. My preference is for dry reds, and their Petit Verdot was impeccable- like nothing I've ever experienced. The 2011 Ameritage was also decadent. If you're looking for a unique wine, Virginia wineries really do offer a separate experience, distinct from California wineries and with flavors all their own. The grounds at this place were also beautiful to stroll around, and the drive onto the property is stunning, as you drive right through the grapes. I also hear they may offer grilled cheese sandwiches soon... I'll be back. read more

We stopped at Pearmund as a last-ditch effort to enjoy our fun-filled weekend to the maximum before returning to work. We spent the weekend prior to Pearmund going to other wineries, a distillery, and Luray, but Pearmund was the perfect way to cap it off. I was really hesitant when we first walked in around 3:30 on a Sunday. The place was packed and rather loud. It was St. Patrick's Day, though, and they were doing barrel tastings. However, we did find a spot at the tasting bar, and the gentleman doing our tasting was fabulous. He was very knowledgeable and attentive. The wines were fantastic! My personal favorites were the Riesling, Celebration, Cabernet Franc (smells like green peppers!), Cabernet Sauvignon, and Collaboration. So, as you can see, most of their wines are pretty good! Even though it was cold, the room was packed, so we bought a bottle of Cabernet Franc, and decided to try our luck outside. There was a bonfire pit, and another couple happened to be departing, so the friendly group sitting there invited us to join in. They even offered us green food coloring, but alas, we had red wine... The bonfire was very cozy, especially when paired with a Cabernet Franc, cheese and crackers, and jazz music. The group left after about 30 minutes, and I think my husband and I spent a good hour or so more out there by ourselves. It even started snowing, which made it that much more enjoyable (being a Northerner). We really enjoyed the bonfire and wine. It made our evening, and we were even talking about it the day after. Kudos, Pearmund. I'm sure we'll be back! read more

We went to the Saturday brunch to celebrate our anniversary and it was excellent! The staff was friendly and the service was well orchestrated. We loved the welcome mimosa and all of the wines were thoughtfully paired with the three courses. We did a bit of shopping afterwards in the farm store and then walked over to the cellars to enjoy one more glass of wine. It is a splurge we definitely recommend! read more

Excellent Wines. Very fun and friendly staff. They were able to answer all our questions very knowledgeable. We will return.

I went here as part of a large group (18) celebrating our recent graduation! We opted for the wine tasting. While generous for the price (which is somehow more expensive for groups), the man serving our wine wasn't personable at all. We didn't get any information about the winery or their process, just the name of the wines and their description (which is printed on the page you're given). Despite having a large room available for tastings, we were kept in their large general area. The acoustics are terrible and it was consequently very loud. The persons working seemed irritated by our presence. It's understandably difficult to wrangle a large group, but a little patience was in order. Several persons from our group bought bottles to enjoy on the patio afterwards. No one came to check on us or offer us further education about the winery. Overall, for the amount of money we spent, we expected a better experience. The wine was good, but not enough to bring me back. read more

I always stop by Pearmund Cellars when I am near Broad Run; it's one of my favorite Virginia wineries. Recently, I came here for a tasting while killing time before the start of Twilight Polo at Great Meadow. Even though it was almost 5 pm, Pearmund was pretty busy. I would suggest visiting near the time they open (10 am) to avoid the crowds. My wife and I found a spot at the counter and received a tasting sheet. The tasting consists of 4 white wines, 6 red wines, and one white dessert wine. I am very partial to Pearmund's white wines; they have a nice collection of dry and off-dry whites with complex tasting notes. Their Riesling and Viognier are two of my favorite Virginia white wines. However, this trip I discovered one of my favorite Virginia red wines. They must have had a bottle of Black Ops open as they poured it for my wife and I after we had finished the regular tasting. The wine was very smooth and not very tannic as red wines can sometimes be. It had complex tasting notes and a slight hint of pepper. It was so good I ended up buying a bottle. I would definitely recommend stopping by Pearmund Cellars. I have always had a good experience at this winery and their tasting room is very cozy. They also take the Virginia wine pass: Complementary tastings for two with the purchase of a bottle read more

If enjoying a glass (or more) of a delicious wine in a picturesque setting fits your definition of a perfect day, then Pearmund Cellars is your destination. I suggest you check out the website before you go. Whether you are an expert or just drink what you like, Pearmund has a wine for you. A little bit of personal history here, helps you understand why Pearmund Cellars is a favorite. We (husband included) never liked Virginia wines although we had tried them on many occasions. A friend in the restaurant business arm-twisted us to have taste of the Pearmund Cellars Ameritage and we were hooked. This was about 15 years ago and we find that while Virginia wine has grown incredibly good, we return to our first love. Other reds we enjoy are Black Ops and our favorite, Petite Verdot. Equally good are the whites, Petite Manseng and Palindrome. We often take a ride to the Cellars to enjoy the wine and take in the scenery. The staff are welcoming and both eager to talk and knowledgable about the wine.There are "munchies" available as accompaniments to the wine but you can bring your own more substantial eats. On weekends there is a farm store that has nice assortment of goodies that is definitely worth a look before you visit the winery In the end, for us, it's all about the wine. read more

It's a lovely winery, yay! Though definitely not "perfect," but because I can't give 4.8 stars I'm leaning toward the higher end. I came here with a winery tour last weekend as our first stop, and sample some really delicious wines. I liked the petit manseng; it's dry (just how I like my wines to be normally) and crisp; definitely good to pair with spicy foods. The viognier wasn't impressive, a bit too heavy with a rather bland texture (the one thing I fear the most in wines). Their chardonnay - the only grape varietal Pearmund actually grows in their own vineyards, was good. Their vines are apparently the oldest in the state, dating to 1976. The riesling has a very strong aroma and taste of mango, sweet but not overwhelming, just like how good rieslings are supposed to be. The reds: cabernet franc is pretty smokey, like the varietal usually is. The 2010 cabernet sauvignon is has less body than most cab sauvs, because it's actually a blend of cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc grapes. Unlike many other people I didn't find the Ameritage Reserve too enticing; I thought it was just a little too acidic and didn't have a distinct taste to it from, say, the petit verdot. The 2007 Collaboration, however, was a great find. It's quite pricey at $39, but I love the sumptuous blend of cab sauv, merlot, malbec and cab franc that renders it very full-bodied and well balanced. It was a gorgeous fall Sunday, sunny and crisp even though a bit chilly, and we sat around the fireplace outside during lunch right adjacent to the grapevines. We also received the tasting in their barrel room, which was very rustic and intimate. The amount of information we received was excellent, unlike at some of the other wineries where employees would just pour you wine without explaining anything or not knowing the answers to your basic questions about winemaking. We also toured the area where their stainless steel barrels and giant boxes of crushed grapes waiting to be fermented were kept. It was a great experience. read more

I've been to plenty of wineries but this one sticks out in my head for one big, cuddly reason. Tug, the wine dog is hands down the best host I've ever had at a winery! However, Michael the human host that day was also fabulous. He was entertaining to talk to and when he found out it was my birthday he made sure to make it a good birthday! The wine was good, the hosts (human and dog) were great and the seating outside has a beautiful view. I will be going back here. read more

Wonderful experience and tasty wines. It was rather busy and crowded Sunday afternoon when my Wife and I visited yet crowd proved more civilized, pleasant and cosmopolitan than average for Northern Virginia. Staff's professionalism, pride in product and awards, courteous nature, diligence when ensuring wine glasses never went dry made for a refreshingly pleasant experience! We bought a few of their over five year old red wines to have handy for house warming presents. Staff provided a private tour of the cellar and other processing areas and in good humor proposed a price for the vineyard. We look forward to returning to this well run vineyard. read more

I'm being generous by giving 1 star.. my Wife went to the winery with her sister and our infant (who was sleeping) and the lady rushed outside when they were getting out of the car to say 21 and over only and rushed them inside to pick up an order and refused to let them have a tasting even though no one else was there. Don't waste your time unless you enjoy spending time with a bunch of stuck up snobs with sticks up their butts. Glad they didn't let us waste our money. read more

Chris Pearmund is one of the 'Godfathers' of Virginia wine, and he makes a fantastic Chard. The rest of his wines have their fans, but I hate to say I'm not one of them. They all seem to be on the sweet side. I'm not a big fan of his tasting room. It reminds me of King Family--non-descript, with a "kids corner" (again, why bring kids to a winery?) There is a long wrap-around patio that works for warm days. The gravel driveway is a little too close to the patio, so expect to eat some dust on dry days as you chug your chard. I think the wine Chris makes for La Grange is better---but as the case with wine, it's all a matter of taste. But his chard is very good. read more

Amazing wines! Really had a hard time choosing. Recommend the 2012 Ameritage Reserve. read more

Pearmund Cellars - Wineries Near Me - Broad Run, Virginia

I went the weekend of June 12 and it was wonderful. They handled the COVID restrictions fabulously. The Special Ops and Rosé were our favorites. I highly recommend! read more

Wine was excellent. Ambiance was beautiful. $10 for a wine tasting, a great deal. Service? Not so much. Looking around the counter, all the table staff seemed very friendly, knowledgeable and hospitable....except our guy. I know it wasn't intentional, but he was hovering over us, and just rushing us the whole time. The explanation was limited to "this is our 2012 Ameritage grown with these grapes from here." As soon as he filled our glasses, he would put the bottle away, immediately grab for the next bottle and just stand in front of us not saying anything and holding the opened bottle in front of us. We felt rushed and uncomfortable. I even asked "do you have a large group coming in after us or closing down early? I just want to make sure we aren't holding you up for anything." He said "nope" but obviously didn't take the hint as he poured the next glass. We finished our 11glass tasting in under 20 minutes. The wine is great and atmosphere cozy, but I do like to enjoy taking my time and taking in the flavors, as opposed to be rushed in and out. For this reason I am only giving 3 stars. Had it been based on service alone, it would be 1 star. read more

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We held my daughters wedding and reception here on 9/22/18. From the very beginning they told me their goal was for my daughter to have a smooth and seem less day and they DELIVERED!! The grounds were beautiful, the set up was quick, the staff was attentive to any need we may have had. I would say 75% of our guests commented on what a perfect venue we had. They were right!! This was a fabulous place to hold a wedding and reception. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants a drama free day! Huge thanks to John and his staff for making my daughters wedding day amazing !! read more

I have been to over 30 wineries from here to the Russian River Valley and Pearmund Cellars ranks up there with some of the BEST overall wineries. Friendly and Helpful staff, Great reds and Viognier, (their cab franc is so flavorful and satisfying) and the view is one that invites all who seek a calm seat to enjoy the day. The owner Chris is ALWAYS willing to say hi and explain any part of wine-making which keeps us coming back for more. They infuse all the good aspects of a solid winery: great wines, friendly staff, good venue to teach eager winos to celebrate life. SALUTE!! read more

We called ahead. It was a Sunday afternoon in covid , they were following all CDC guidelines. Very courteous staff and great selection of wines. Plus super location in the hills and forest! Loved the experience. read more

I truly enjoyed my wine tasting experience here: it could easily become one of my favorites: it has fantastic red wines, is close to the DC area, and has great staff! The vineyard is peaceful, quietly relaxing, and has some great views. There are fire pits and seating outside, and it seems family friendly. The inside has a large tasting bar and extremely pleasant, personable, and informative staff. Our server, Mike, really added the extra star to our experience! On top of that, I truly loved the majority of the wines I sampled and had to restrain myself from walking away with a bottle of most of what I tasted--16 wines that did not disappoint! Their reds were on top of my list: I could easily rave about each one but my favorite were the '07 Ameritage ($25), '09 Ameritage Reserve ($29), and '09 Petit Verdot. Each are worth their price. Their Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Sweet Petit, and then Petit Manseng, Late Harvest Petit Manseng and Vin De Sol are also worth it; not usually a fan of really sweet wines, I surprisingly enjoyed the few sips of theirs. We just did the wine tasting and purchased a few bottles; however, it seems like a place to go to to kick back, relax, and enjoy a good afternoon over a few glasses or bottles of wine with good company. I know I'll be back! read more

The wines are delicious...need I say more? I guess I do :) the wine is made with passion by the most tenured wine maker in Virginia, Chris Pearmund. They are expertly crafted and blended. The tasters are well trained and passionate about the wine. We loved Tom who helped us with our tasting. He had so much knowledge and expertise. We signed up for the Wine Club because of his great recommendations. read more

**this review is for Pearmund Cellar's annual Beast Feast** The first time I went to Pearmund Cellar's annual Beast Feast was in October 2006. To say that I was "sick" would be a gross understatement ... somewhere between zombie and Terry Schiavo probably describes my condition on that night more aptly. Also, being 26 and not-so-wise as to when you should mix cold medicine with alcohol and when you should not, I had consumed a cocktail of various off the shelf items from CVS and thought guzzling those down with numerous glasses of wine paired with foods I'd never thought of eating before would make me feel better. WRONG. I ended up having to leave the feast early because I was too sick to continue. Four years later I decided to give the Beast Feast another go-round. I was hedging all my bets that I would not be sick this year as I committed myself to the $115 p.p. cost and made a reservation. I also made a reservation for my boyfriend, unbeknownst to him, because no one wants to go to a Beast Feast alone. As it got closer to the time I said, "See, one of the "awesome" things about dating me is that you get roped into doing all the shit that no one else wants to do by default." I don't know if that's really a convincing argument for being with me, but its what I was going with in the moment. The one thing I can say about the Beast Feast is that you have to have an open mind about food and an adventurous palette. Remember the dinner scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom? Yeah, its kind of like that "lite." The event starts in the tasting area and there is about 30-ish minutes of hors'dourves and wine (red or white). The hors'dourves consisted of: house cured goose prosciutto on house-made cheddar crackers; bourbon roasted squirrel with apple relish; asian spiced sea cucumber spoons; and salt & vinegar crickets. The goose prosciutto and squirrel were very tasty (squirrel does in fact taste like chicken), but I had to pass on the sea cucumbers and crickets. The thought of eating any kind of bug is just a no-go for me. Plus, the crickets were presented on toothpick stakes and nothing had been done to masque their cricket identity. More wine, please. Once the hors'dourves part is over, everyone is moved into the barrel room. There is a long banquet style table set up and everyone has a place card with their name on it. All told, I would say there were about 45 guests. The seating is a pretty tight fit, so I was glad that the person on my left was someone I was intimately familiar with, otherwise it may have been awkward considering that there was no way I would avoid touching him throughout the meal. It also enabled me to lean more to his side to avoid feeling up the lady on my right. The dinner was comprised of 4 courses and dessert. Each course was paired with wine from Pearmund Cellars. The courses were: cuttlefish fettuccine with periwinkle and dill broth (my least favorite of all the courses - too heavy on the dill and I'm not a big fan of seafood that has squid like texture); hard cider braised rabbit on wheat berry pilaf topped with shaved manchego (it has manchego so it has to be good); silkie chicken (the meat is black but still tastes like regular chicken meat) on a roasted pumpkin flan with rosemary oat broth; duet of elk and reindeer stew with wild rice polenta (if you like venison, you'd like elk and reindeer); and for dessert - reindeer milk ricotta cheesecake (fucking awesome) with a malted single estate chocolate sauce. As each course was brought out, Chris Pearmund (the owner) and/or the chef would speak as to what we were eating and how it was prepared. The people who were sitting across from us at the table were delightful and we kept up a good conversation with them throughout the evening. Plus, the wine was free flowing and you could ask for refills on anything that particularly caught your fancy. Since everything was pre-paid there was no money that exchanged hands. As an added bonus, all the wine sold at Pearmund Cellars was $15/bottle if you wanted to purchase something before you went home. Nice touch. So, the moral of my story is: if you like sitting really close to strangers, drinking, trying new things, and doing something a little different than you would normally do on a Saturday night, the Beast Feast is for you and you should think about signing up in 2011. Its probably the most fun I've had in awhile, even if I draw the line at eating crickets on a stick. read more

I am so upset about Pearmund's change in policy re: kids visiting on the weekends. Last summer I spent the most perfect day with both my puppy and son on a blanket in the fields around Pearmund. The wines were great and the atmosphere was relaxed. I loved the Effingham wines I tried so much that I joined the wine club. Shortly thereafter, I received an email from Effingham that there would be a no kids/no dogs policy. Bummed, I cancelled my membership because as a working Mom, I am not going to get a babysitter for my son on the weekend. I thought that we at least could still visit Pearmund. Now that the policy has changed I know we will never be back. Very disappointing to have both of your locations take such a strong stance on kids. Particularly when the place I am going has ample outdoor space for families to enjoy. read more

Pearmund Cellars is another favorite of ours. I may be biased as my first winery day trip ended at Pearmund. It left a great impression on me. Pearmund is owned by Chris Pearmund; also the owner of Winery at La Grange (see my review). I prefer visiting La Grange simply because I like their property better but I think Pearmund Cellars' wine stands out on its own. It's great. Our most recent trip was on Valentine's Day. We took two friends who were visiting us from New York City and had never been to a winery before. We knew that we could could on good wine at Pearmund Cellars. Our friends enjoyed it every bit as much as we did that day. Highly recommended. read more

Bad experience. We walked in five minutes before close it was a beautiful sunny nice Saturday afternoon and we raced here because we love Pearmund wine. The staff ignored us wouldn't look at us when we walked in and refused to let us do a tasting. We asked if we could at least have a glass of wine to have on the patio with about 30 other people that were still there drinking their wine on the patio and the staff refused to serve us. This place has good wine but really need to work on customer experience. read more

We visited here on a Sunday afternoon. The winery was fairly busy. We tasted their wines. Their tasting was extensive and involved both white and red wines and included desert wines. After the tasting we enjoyed a glass of wine and some crackers and hummus sitting outside at a table on their patio. They do sell food and snacks such as cheese and deli plates but also allow patrons to bring their own food. The grounds are nice. There's a large grassy area with picnic tables and places for kids to play around. We walked around the grounds and through some of the vineyard. We had a pleasant time and thought this winery was among the better local wineries. They do offer tours but we did not go on one. I would recommend that others give it a try. read more

A great winery with consistently good wine, impeccably kept grounds, and amazingly hospitable staff. The owner's mother-in-law served us during our tasting, and although she admitted that she didn't know about some of the wines we tasted, her friendly makes-you-feel-like-you're-at-home personality more than made up for it. I may not remember the exact wines I tried there, their overall quality was top-notch. I especially like the barrel room you can visit. For those Pearmund wine enthusiasts, you can buy a barrel and age your own wine. The room can also host small parties for the VIPs who own those barrels. read more

Visited the winery early on a Saturday and was one of the first people there. It was nice to get there early before all of the crowds showed up so we didn't have to wait to do a tasting and we were able to snag the couches close to the fire. Pearmund is in a beautiful location out in Broad Run, VA. There are beautiful hills. lots of grape vines, and pretty farms to look at while you are there. The patio is full of comfortable couches and there is a fire pit. The tasting is $10 and includes a lot of wines, but not the glass. Many of their wines have won awards and a few of the standouts for me were the Riesling, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, and the Ameritage Reserve. This is a winery great for red wine drinkers, as well as those who love super sweet wines. Take a picnic and enjoy the day at Pearmund or kick off a day of winery hopping as there are numerous other wineries to visit nearby. read more