We spent a few days in Fauquier County region and were able to check out some new wineries as well…read moreas a few favorite. Crimson Lane was one of the new spots and is now a favorite. Off the beaten track and up on hilltop with beautiful views, this winery is AMAZING! Tastings are table side with knowledge staff guiding you. They offer both their own estate wines as well as an assortment from VA and around the world. Their wines were well balanced with layers of flavor, depth and long finish. My favorites were the Petite Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc It is best to make a reservation. They also have a food menu. We did the 2 estate tastings, several glasses and shared a burrata. I could have stayed all day! My rating rationale for beer, wine, or spirits: +1 Service +1 Atmosphere/Vibe +1 Taste/Quality (Flavor, aroma, and overall quality of the beverage) +1 Presentation (Glassware, garnishes, and visual appeal of the drinks) +1 Selection/Variety (Range of beer, wine, or spirit options and uniqueness of offerings) My rating rationale +1 Service +1 Food~Taste/flavor/quality +1 Presentation +1 Atmosphere/vibe +1 Value

**I will preface this by the fact that for once in my life, I did not do my due diligence and…read moreresearch the wineries rules and regulations before coming. The review does not reflect the fact I did not get to try their wine, but rather the way I was treated when I attempted to plan a trip to visit the "right" way** We were driving past this spot on a nice Sunday, coming home from a family lunch, and thought why not stop in? I did not have a reservation because (as mentioned above) I wasn't aware of needing one and I wasnt sure when I would be able to stop in as I was just passing by (we live 1+ hour away). As we pulled into the long dirt road, the front gates have no clear sign that says 'By Appointment Only' - perhaps a good add before your clients drive up a steep unpaved road to just be turned away. None of the vines appeared to be in use so the drive up may be more beautiful one day when the grapes are on the vines. The parking lot is a bit cramped and full of fancy cars, giving us a taste of the type of clientele that would be inside. We came in and I inquired if I could do a wine tasting. The staff member told us we needed a reservation but that he would do his best to try to see if they had space - totally fine. My mistake again- I did not realize that this winery required reservations (no other winery I have been to in Charlottesville, Middleburg, or NOVA has done so) so my first assumption wasn't that I needed a reservation. Again, no sign at the front that says this and would have saved me time. The space was obviously gorgeous, the views spectacular and it felt very Napa and upscale. The staff member returned back and told us they couldn't accommodate us- ok, disappointing but ultimately is what it is. I asked the two staff members standing there how early they recommend making reservations, as we dont live in the area so I need to plan ahead. They told me it was hard to tell but that basically any time it's warm, it will be hard to get a reservation and that "Saturday visits are a pipe dream" and Sundays are "pretty impossible too". They then kindly told me "you could try to snag a reservation maybe a Thursday or Friday". Mind you, their hours are 12-5 on Thursday/Friday...I live an hour plus away, let alone with traffic. I guess my only options are to take off work to come visit as it seems there will be no chance for me to ever get a reservation for 2 on the weekends.... Needless to say, it felt like the staff really could care less for our future business and we politely left. The staff did not offer to help us book a future reservation or anything of that nature - just a snooty response that I probably shouldn't bother every attempting to return on a weekend. Hilarious enough, I decided to look up their website and low and behold - they had tasting reservations that same day at 3 PM (45 minutes after we first asked about a tasting) - no offer to us to wait or come back to return, just basically turned away. Cherry on top- they have tons of reservations open for future Saturdays and Sunday. If you don't want my business, you dont have to tell me twice. If I want to deal with pretentious folks, I'll fly to Napa and drink wine actually grown onsite.

After our hike in Shenandoah National Park, we stopped by Glen Manor for a glass of wine as it is…read morevery close to the trails. When having wine here you get to enjoy the same stunning views as hiking in the national park. The scenery is truly breathtaking. The service we encountered was exceptional. The staff members are true wine experts and treat you like royalty. The wine itself was fantastic. It's worth noting to bring your own snacks or lunch as they don't offer food on-site, but they do allow you to bring your own. With a spacious patio and outdoor area, you can sit back, unwind, and fully absorb the incredible mountain views. This will be a post-hike tradition for me from now on!

Wine, views and service are great. Price for quality is unmatched in Virginia. Love the small group…read morepolicy and the fact we can bring our dog. My wife favorite wine is the Sauvignon Blanc and mine is the St. Ruth but am really liking their Nebbiolo too.

Scheduled a wine tour for my mom and a couple of her friends! Dederick picked the most beautiful…read moreplaces with good wine, the car service was out of this world and my mom can't wait to plan her next wine tour in the fall! Dederick was knowledgeable, friendly and charismatic! Everyone truly had the best time

Spectacular experience: highest level of attention to detail resulting in a memorable day that…read moreshowcased the area, its wineries, beautiful landscapes, all in the comfort and safety of a chauffeured vehicle. Dederick was the perfect choice and he exceed all expectations. Take your experience to a new level with the services of Shenandoah Shores Management!

CLOSED -- We believe this place is no longer open. We drove by and saw that the sign looked quite…read moreold, and the entrance appeared to be blocked off. Their website mentioned they are "mostly closed," and when we tried calling the listed phone number, it had been disconnected. The photos in previous reviews look great, so it was disappointing not to be able to visit.

This place is *chefs kiss* exquisite. If I were ever to write a novel I would want to write it…read morehere. I would imagine Thoreau would share my feelings. The outside of the barn is so quaint with ivys growing up the sides. Surrounding the area are another couple barns with mini donkeys and goats. Parking is plentiful. Be careful or you may miss the turn! Fortunately there is an OPEN sign showing you to your destination. The singer was an older gentleman with an amazing voice thick mustache resembling Sam Elliot's and plethora of string instruments. While sitting next to the fire pit, this sound mixed with the warm ambience is perfection. I opted for the sweets flight- one sweeter white, one rose, one sparkling cider and one sangria. Their homemade sangria tasted like raspberry lemonade. The flights come with tiny morsels of food pairings for each. The presentation is lovely and planned to perfection. They offer snacks and local favorites like apple cider donuts or farm fresh eggs from a neighboring farm. Up the winding staircase you will find a barn cat listening to strangers play chess and laugh amongst themselves. We played a game of checkers and enjoyed the warmth of the barn and the music echoing through the building. This place is magic- and is a Diamond in the rough. I can't wait to return.

Capstone Vineyards is a small family-owned vineyard and tasting room located on the slopes of Blue…read moreMountain. Friendly staff Interesting wines Beautiful views Comfortable tasting room What we tasted: notes directly from vineyards tasting menu. 2025 Sparkling Rosé: 100% Merlot, fermented and aged 5 months in steel Made sparkling with bulk CO2 Nose: orange blossom, strawberry, papaya Mouth: grapefruit, cantaloupe pomearanate 2024 C2 93% Chardonnay, 7% Chenin Blanc Aged 10 months in neutral French oak, made sparkling using the Charmat Method Nose: green melon, orange sherbet, candied almonds Mouth: marzipan, lemon drop, hibiscus 2025 Sparkling Chardonnay 100% Chardonnay. Fermented and aged 10 months in neutral French oak 30 months on the yeast. Champagne Method Nose: pear compote, shortbread, meringue Mouth: lemon curd, apple tart, Turkish apricot 2025 Sparkling Cider Made in the Acadian style, typified by bright acidity, crisp, clear, dry and sparkling Harrison, Arkansas Black, Black Twig, Goldrush and Winesap, Fermented and aged in tank, made sparkling with bulk Co2 Nose: green melon, hibiscus, cantelope Mouth: candied lemon peel, chamomile, sweet tarts 2025 Sauvignon Blanc 100% Sauvignon Blanc 70% fermented in tank, 30% fermented in neutral French oak Nose: croissant, honeycomb, cara cara orange, Mouth: lemon balm, nectarine, verbena tea 2024 Merlot 100% Merlot, aged 14 months in French oak (23% new oak, 77% neutral, Nose: anise, black cherry, balsam Mouth: blackberry, cola, candied strawberry 2024 Cabernet Franc 100% Cabernet Franc, aged 14 months in French oak (33% new oak, 67% neutral" Nose: nutmeg, lavender, black plum Mouth: tootsie roll, plum, leather Note we had to climb a steep stairway to tasting room. Im not sure if there is an ADA entrance My rating rationale for beer, wine, or spirits: +1 Service +1 Atmosphere/Vibe +1 Taste/Quality (Flavor, aroma, and overall quality of the beverage) +1 Presentation (Glassware, garnishes, and visual appeal of the drinks) +1 Selection/Variety (Range of beer, wine, or spirit options and uniqueness of offerings)

While visiting Crimson Lane Vineyards, we also stopped here. The tasting room was busy, with only…read moretwo staff members working, which resulted in inconsistent service. Although the staff were friendly and helpful, their divided attention noticeably impacted the overall experience. The venue offers attractive hilltop views; however, the tasting room itself is small and felt cramped even at half capacity. The wines were solid--slightly better than those at the neighboring vineyard--which aligns with the winemaker's established background and experience. The winery is family-friendly and allows children. Service was pleasant, and pricing was more reasonable than nearby options. I would consider returning with friends, bringing a picnic, and spending a relaxed afternoon outdoors while enjoying a few bottles.

Stop #2 on the birthday winery crawl was to Rappahannock Cellars. It's a cute winery located…read morealongside a distillery. I was provided a set wine tasting menu which included a sparkling, 2 white, 2 red and a 1 port wine for $20. I was taken care of by Elizabeth who was so great. We made small talk during my tasting and I learned a lot about the winery and the surrounding neighborhood. I decided to take home a bottle of the sparkling red just in time for New Year's Eve. It is very spacious!

Terrific first impression. If you're here to have a flight, you'll need to stay in the tasting…read moreroom. They'll pour wines for you one at a time. After that, pic a favorite and enjoy it in one of their outdoor spaces. While the rooftop is cute, we preferred the peaceful ambiance of the front patio, lots of trees, tables and vineyard views. Of the wines we sampled, faves included Fizzy Lizzie, Eighteen, and the port style wine. This is the kind of space one could spend a few hours.

Great wines with an amazing views of the Blue Ridge mountains. Very friendly staff. A bit pricey…read morebut worth it

Representing V for 2020, V is for Valerie Hill Vineyard. My girlfriend at the time birthday…read moreoccurred during Covid in May 2020. She was itching to get out of town for the day for hike, etc. in the Winchester area. I was nice & agreeable to take off work to make this happen for her as her birthday kind of got derailed with Covid. She wanted to go to a winery, which I found this one. Staff was very nice, and they had a nice area outside with patio seating. We enjoyed our wine in a nice setting. I highly recommend this winery.

We visited the winery on Valentine's Day, which fell on a Saturday this year. We had made a…read morereservation in advance and arrived a bit early, but were seated right away. Tables are reserved for 2.5 hours, so I assume the party before us didn't use their full time. We ordered an appetizer and a bottle of wine. The brie cake was delicious--even for someone who doesn't usually like goat cheese (it was layered in)--but unfortunately, no one in our group enjoyed the cheesecake. The winery is both dog- and kid-friendly. All the parents we encountered kept their children supervised, which is a winery rule and one I really appreciate now that we have kids ourselves. Most of the dogs were also very well behaved, though one was repeatedly growling at passing dogs, which was off-putting. While the winery can't control every patron, we choose to leave our dog at home when she's not in a social mood, and it would be nice if all dog owners did the same.

Barrel Oak is a beautiful property with kind and capable staff, but beautiful scenery cannot make…read moreup for a celebration that never had the chance to unfold as planned. We chose Barrel Oak Winery to celebrate my 50th birthday because of the positive experiences we'd had there before. We traveled across the country to gather family and friends, trusting the venue to host a fun and relaxed evening. Unfortunately, on a 105-degree July day with intense humidity, the Overlook event space had no functioning air conditioning. While no one can control the weather, the conditions inside the venue--and the response to them--were the responsibility of the venue. The staff on site were gracious and did what they could, and we made the best of the evening under the circumstances. But after nearly three hours in extreme heat--and after nearly half our guests had already left--we were ready to call the evening a loss, when we were moved into the Tasting Room. By then, the celebration we had planned had already been materially compromised. What was most disappointing, however, was the lack of proactive management of the situation or thoughtful response afterward. Rather than acknowledging the significance of what occurred, I was left with the impression that it was viewed as an inconvenience rather than the significant disruption it was. If you're considering Barrel Oak for a wedding, milestone celebration, or any event you wish to enjoy, I hope you'll ask the questions we thought were too basic to ask. And if something isn't right, don't be afraid to insist on a solution in real time. We trusted the venue to do that for us, and by the time it happened, it was too late.