Fall colors, crisp air, vineyard views and a glass of Virginia wine in hand. There is no better time to plan a getaway to Culpeper than during Virginia Wine Month.
Every October, Virginia Wine Month offers the perfect excuse to discover the vineyards, tasting rooms and winemakers that make Virginia wine country so special. When you make Culpeper your wine stop, there is even more to experience between tastings. From the historic Downtown Culpeper and locally owned shops to memorable dining, cozy accommodations and the beautiful countryside, you can turn a day of wine tasting into an entire fall weekend.
Whether you’re planning a weekend with friends, a romantic escape or simply looking for an excuse to explore somewhere new this fall, here’s how to spend a wine-filled weekend in Culpeper.
Friday: Arrive and settle into Culpeper
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Start your Virginia Wine Month getaway by checking into Let’s Go and Stay, Campo Cibola, or Hampton Inn & Suites.
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Once you’ve dropped off your bags, head to historic Downtown Culpeper and start exploring on foot. Take a stroll along Davis and Main streets, browse locally owned shops and boutiques and take some time to enjoy the character of downtown before dinner.
When you’re ready for dinner, grab a table at Grass Rootes for farm-to-table dishes or try Pinto Thai if you’re in the mood for Thai cuisine.
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After dinner, enjoy dessert at Scoop on Davis before heading back to your accommodations. Get some rest because Saturday is all about Virginia wine.
Saturday: Sip your way through Virginia wine country
Start the morning with breakfast from Frost Café before heading out to explore the vineyards surrounding Culpeper.
With wineries throughout the countryside, there are plenty of ways to build a wine-tasting itinerary that fits your travel style.
First stop: Mountain Run Winery
Begin at Mountain Run Winery, a family-operated farm located just minutes from Downtown Culpeper. The winery is set on a historic farm surrounded by fields, vineyards and forests.
Mountain Run produces a wide range of small-batch wines, including Virginia favorites such as Viognier, Petit Manseng and Chambourcin. The winery also produces other craft beverages, including cider and mead. Mountain Run pairs Virginia wine with a laid-back atmosphere that makes it an easy first stop of your day.
Next stop: Old House Vineyards
Continue your wine-country adventure at Old House Vineyards, a scenic Culpeper property where vineyards, Virginia wine and local history come together.
Old House produces an array of Virginia wines while offering visitors a breathtaking place to unwind at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The vineyard has also expanded beyond its original winery to include a brewery and distillery, making Old House a destination for several different craft beverage experiences.
Try a wine flight, enjoy the beautiful mountain views and toast to an afternoon well spent in Virginia wine country.
Old House is open Saturdays from 12pm-6pm, making it an ideal second stop and the perfect place to pause for lunch.
Make time for lunch
A full day of wine tasting calls for something delicious. While you’re at Old House, stop for lunch from the Green Ribbon Kitchen, the vineyard’s in-house chef team. The kitchen serves visitors at the Brewery Taproom on Saturdays with an extensive menu available from 12pm-5pm.
Enjoy lunch alongside your wine, take some time to relax on the property and recharge before heading to the final stop of your wine-country afternoon.
One more pour: The Winery at Rapidan War Craft Brewery
If you’re up for another stop, finish your wine-country adventure at The Winery at Rapidan War Craft Brewery, a veteran-owned farm in the historic community of Rapidan.
Here, surrounded by vineyards and orchards, the farm brings a different experience from your second stop of the day. The ingredients are grown on the property, including fruits, herbs and spices, which are all incorporated into its lineup of small-batch craft drinks.
War Craft is open Saturdays from 12-9pm, so pour a glass of house-made Chardonnay, find a spot by the picnic tables and enjoy a restful place for a while.
Saturday night: Head back to the town
After an afternoon among the vines, head back into the town of Culpeper for dinner.
Grab dinner at Piedmont Steakhouse, where they are famous for their signature clam chowder and premium dry-aged beef cuts, or try It’s About Thyme for a charming European-American bistro experience featuring seasonal specials and a rustic, mural-lined atmosphere.
Not ready for the night to end? Grab a cocktail at Sweet Roux, live music at Ferlazzo 1938, or enjoy an evening stroll through downtown.
Sunday: Slow start before heading home
Sunday morning is your chance to experience another side of Culpeper.
Start with brunch at Grill 309 or a coffee flight and a breakfast sandwich from Raven’s Nest.
From there, spend the morning browsing downtown shops for local honey, wine bottle wind chimes and small-batch brewing chocolate. Afterward, visit the Museum of Culpeper History, or take a stroll in Rockwater Park or Yowell Meadow Park.
Virginia Wine Month may only come around once a year, but the vineyards, local flavors and small-town charm of Culpeper are worth experiencing in every season.
