We had a fun evening enjoying the view after a hard rain with mist over the mountains and a view…read morethat kills. Felt like we were looking at hills in Italy. Started with a frose, a sparkling Costo vino and the red and reserve flights. We enjoyed them all and they paired very well with the crispy shrimp wonton and the truffle fries. The basil pesto and burrata was just ok compared to the heirloom tomato BLT and grass fed sliders which were both delicious. BLT needed a little more bacon but we were trying to share between 3 people so maybe that was the problem lol. Service was friendly and prompt. Bit of a walk from parking lot which can be a challenge since spaces are close together. We were just grateful the rain stopped before our walk over to the restaurant which is all gravel so not great for heels. Frose is a bit over priced compared to everything else but we really enjoyed our visit to this peaceful and culinary oasis.

Overall a good experience for the atmosphere and views but did not find it exceptionally special…read morewhen it came to the food or wine. Service was great. All the staff were knowledgeable and friendly. Constantly checked in on us, offered a nicer table location when it came available despite having a reservation already, and greeted us warmly upon arrival. Staff were 5/5 The venue itself was wonderful. Everything was beautifully decorated and laid out well. Loved the opportunity to walk the grounds, see the gardens and take pictures in their flower fields. Restaurant was clean and bathrooms well kept. The food and wine were where we thought it lacked a bit. We got a white wine and red wine flight to try the rounds with a charcuterie tower. Wine overall felt relatively flat or flavorless to others we've tried and had quite a few we flat out disliked. Serving sizes were nice but we felt the items we most liked on the tower were the smallest portions. The candied nuts and sweet potato hummus were our 2 favorite items and would have preferred more meat/ cheese and less fresh garden veggies. Fully willing to admit we had just missed our mark on the menu and that there are great items to be had. We just didn't find them on our visit. Would still recommend stopping by if you get the chance.

Me, texting Yelp friend/die-hard DMB fan Stephanie S., who doesn't live in Virginia or anywhere…read morenear Virginia: "I just realized the winery I'm visiting is actually owned by Dave Matthews." Steph: "OMG, you're at Blenheim!?" Suppose this spot has a reputation. I chose it at random based on photos of it, and it was the perfect scene for a chill early Spring afternoon. We were able to bring outside food in, and we split a flight in their gorgeous tasting room. Prices were super reasonable and their grounds are absolutely stunning. I really loved everything about my afternoon at Blenheim, aside from the drive home that passed a certain President's tacky fence line. Highly recommend this spot!

Avoid the crowds across the pasture from Trumps winery and enjoy this one…read more Enjoyed the late afternoon by sipping the Painted White - 2024 at Blenheim. Unfortunately, this winery only offered packaged cheese and crackers for purchase. Accordingly, the sea salt crackers and Colby jack cheese became the perfect accompaniment.

It was a sultry, humid, rainy Saturday and the natives were getting restless. Suffering from cabin…read morefever, my hubby and a couple of friends and I decided to find an outdoor activity to remedy our listlessness. Being pluviophiles, we didn't mind the light, summer rain. But what to do? Enter wineries!! We headed west toward Charlottesville, and first stopped in Palmyra where the winery there was only open for curbside pick up. My friends loaded the pickup with cases of wine but we were still in search of a charcuterie board and an open vineyard! Yelp to the rescue! We called the winery Yelp advised us was only about 10 miles away in Scottsville. It was open! Yes, they had charcuterie!! What a stupendous find! We approached the thistle blue painted sign and charming gate welcoming us to Thistle Gate Vineyard! Through the misty rain, the white barn-like cottage with the serene blue roof looked something from a Nicholas Sparks movie. Utterly quaint and beautiful! The wide porch was open for outdoor seating, wrought iron tables and chairs sprawled along the long planked flooring. Restrooms were located around the side so one didn't have to enter the winery. We were greeted by the owner who handed us a wine menu and their "flight sheet". The four of us chose our wine flights and each got a charcuterie box! Ahhh, this is the life! While we awaited our libations and sustenance, we spied an inviting gazebo near the vineyards. Our host said we were welcome to it! The grounds were lovely, albeit a bit soggy, a barrel fountain babbled along with the now drizzling rain, a bottle tree rooster glistened in the garden, cute slate signs were placed hither and thither around the shrubbery, it was all so idyllic. Our flights were served in pieces of wood made from wine barrels. Plastic cups were used due to Covid, but that didn't diminish the flavors of the fruit of the vine. I chose three reds and a blush. The Cabernet France was full-bodied with a dry finish. The Meritage (a portmanteau of Merit & Heritage) was delicate blend of varietals with fruity notes, the Thistle Red was a well-balanced blend of Merlot & Petit Verdot with a mild berry flavor and a rich burgundy color, and my favorite was the Thistle Blush, a crisp rosé made with Chambourcin grapes, easily my top rated grape! The blush was perfect for this overcast summer day, sipping the day way! I also tasted the St. George's Red Reserve which was also made with Chambourcin grapes and whispered cherry notes. Also my friend shared with me her Chardonnay which was a tad dry to my taste, but if you like white wine, I'm sure you'll like this one! What we took home??? The Thistle Red, couple bottles of Meritage, St. George and of course, several bottles of Thistle Blush! We enjoyed all these fine wines while in the gazebo surrounded by rows and rows of vineyards. What made the afternoon even better was the gorgeously presented charcuterie box! Two types of crackers served with salami, Brie, Swiss, and Gouda along with huge green grapes, dried apricots and salted almond Ghirardelli dark chocolates. I'm not exaggerating when I say this was the perfect complement to our wine tasting! A heavenly day spent in this dreamy winery, the only one in Fluvanna county, certainly cured our doldrums!! We are certainly returning to this hidden gem!! One sign posted says "We're so glad you're here", so are we Thistle Gate Vineyard, so are we!

Just opened chambourcin from years ago when they first opened. The best dessert type wine I've…read moretasted. Just the right balance of sweet. So happy to see still doing well. delicious! Kudos

This place is a hidden gem in the woods. Among winos, it has a cult following, but those who…read moreappreciate a relaxed and unpretentious wine tasting experience will love it here, too. The setting is very rustic, with the glass enclosed tasting room tucked into the trees and outdoor seating scattered throughout the property. Because the tasting room space is small, this location is best enjoyed on a day where the weather is nice enough to sit outside. The staff will bring you a menu and serve you table side. There are plenty of wine options from familiar (like Riesling) to unusual (like Gruner Veltliner). They offer light bites from their kitchen, including a bread service (the baguette is made fresh and served with in-house produced olive oil). On any given day you'll run into the winemaker, Gabriele, here and will most definitely get a visit from Trady, the unofficial host and friendly golden retriever. The whole scene feels like an outdoor living room. We loved the wine and appreciated the friendly service so much that we walked away with a mix of bottles and olive oil to share with family and friends.

The wines are very good and reasonably priced. They also bring bread with oil once you're seated…read moreand the oil is so good that you'll have to buy a bottle to take home!

How have I never reviewed Hill Top when I have been going for 8 years?!?…read more I love this place. The servers are knowledge and friendly, and their wines and meads are so unique and well made. You can do a tasting of 8 of their wines and meads for $5, which is a great option if you have never been before. Hill Top is unique because it makes wines out of fruit, so you'll have wine here that you will never had anywhere else. I love their sweet melon wine, hunter's moon mead, and dragon's blood mead, among many others. Hill Top also has a great outdoor seating area where you can watch the goats and working dogs around the farm, with great views.

Hill Top is a fan fave for me!…read more I wish they'd attend Norfolk VA wine festival again, I miss them so much. My husband and I visited on the Labor Day weekend. I have to always put Hill Top on my list when I am in the area. I ended up leaving with 12 bottles of wine and a jar of the wild flower honey. I wish they'd attend Norfolk VA wine festival again, I miss them so much! Emily "The traveling nurse", ended up assisting us during our time there. She was very welcoming, upfront and honest with her recommendations for our 2 flights that we selected. We chose from meads and berry wines as well. Emily didn't steer us wrong at all. After ordering we sat outside and enjoyed the breeze. Both flights came with oyster crackers and chocolate covered almonds. The Lavender and Persimmons was my fave selection. However, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to snag some bottles of Madison to go. The goats on site were too cute as well! I wish they'd attend Norfolk VA wine festival again, I miss them so much!

My wife and family highly recommend this wonderful B&B. The Virginia forests surrounding this…read moreidyllic farm are stunning and amazingly relaxing. The owners are extremely accommodating and made our 4-day stay so enjoyable. The accommodations were just perfect and comfortable. If you are in the Charlottesville, VA area we encourage you to make the drive to Woodhaven Farm B&B. You will be so glad you did!!!

My daughter, her husband, my husband, and I spent an absolutely perfect morning today!! Sunday…read moreBrunch, prepared with care by Nancy's Treats and Sweets, was delicious, served buffet style with second or third helpings encouraged. The setting is beautiful. We were seated outside in the shade....just loved everything about the whole experience. We plan to return for the October Brunch...yummmm! Son-in-law and daughter sampled two wines, then stopped by the shop and bought more to take home. They grow all their grapes, and got glowing reviews on the Traminette and (forgot the other one). Owners are very friendly and welcoming....and Nancy is just fabulous....highly recommend!!!

Pleasant place to sip some wine. We visited Hardware Hills Vineyard on a Friday night and it was…read morepacked. A local band played covers of classic rock songs. The patio is expansive and mostly covered with a view of the vineyard and surrounding trees. I tried a flight of their Cabernet franc, petit Verdot, river bend red, and masquerade red. I liked the Cabernet franc and masquerade red and didn't care for the petit Verdot and the river bend red. Overall, I had a good experience at Hardware Hills Vineyard and would recommend them for a winery experience in the area.

At first a little surprised by the exterior, it's a bit dated and rundown and the interior reminded…read moreme of a church with the stained glass windows and wooden floor and walls. Outdoor seating has big umbrellas to give plenty of shade and a very serene atmosphere, could only hear nature. There are about 15 farm cats that are very friendly but we were instructed not to feed them. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable about the wine and history of the winery. Did a $12 Flight which you can select four 2oz pours from a list of white/red/sweet wines: Malbec 2014: I didn't love this Petit Verdot 2013: full-bodied with a smooth finish Sweet Lazy Days Red: fruity and sweet, easy to drink Bill's Wild Blackberry: fruity yet full bodied and sweet, not as sweet or sugary as a dessert wine, bought a bottle for $18, very excited to try it this summer on a hot night They only offer sangria every 1st and 3rd Saturday - I was so bummed they didn't have it since they offer it in a growler for $20 - next time I'm in the area!

Went there for a bridal shower event - met Craig. He was so personable and had the best…read moredisposition. His suggestions for wine choices did not disappoint. Looking forward to visiting soon!!!