Virginia Poured

Virginia Summer Pours

by Mina Mitchell

Why Virginia Now?
Before Napa made headlines and Bordeaux set the bar, Virginia was quietly planting its roots. Thomas Jefferson famously failed to cultivate European vines at Monticello—but today’s winemakers are thriving where he once struggled. And they’re doing it with unmistakable character.

Modern Virginia wines are making space for themselves in the market—with Viogniers that rival Rhône whites, Cabernet Francs that whisper structure over show, and rosés that drink like July bottled. And for wine lovers seeking charm over pretense, local over imported, and a narrative that feels rooted—Virginia is speaking authentically.

A Summer State of Mind

There’s something quietly captivating about a summer afternoon in Virginia wine country. The light feels softer, like it’s been filtered through linen. The air is thick with honeysuckle and the low hum of cicadas. And the wine—crisp, local, unhurried—tastes like a secret the coasts forgot to keep. You can hear their legacy whisper in the farmhouse porches and the rolling Blue Ridge, in the unexpected cross streets and family-owned plots, in the stories behind every pour.

More than 300 wineries now dot the state, producing wines that are increasingly thoughtful, terroir-driven, and proudly made in America. These aren’t imitators. They’re originals. And for a summer glass that feels like it belongs to the American dirt beneath your feet, there may be no better place to sip.

Virginia Tastes Different

Virginia wine tastes different—not just in flavor, but in feeling. There’s a softness to it, a kind of restraint that speaks of misty mornings and mineral-rich hillsides. You won’t find over extracted boldness here; instead, you’ll taste balance, elegance, and a quiet confidence. The wines often sit somewhere between Old World structure and New World charm—unexpected, refined, and distinctly of this place. Each bottle carries a little of Virginia’s humidity, history, and humility.

It’s not trying to impress you. It’s just trying to tell the truth.

Wineries to Consider This Summer

If you're seeking a glass that tastes like summer’s slower moments and small-town beauty, here are a few Virginia vineyards worth visiting—or ordering from online:

• Early Mountain Vineyards (Madison, VA)
  Backed by the former owners of AOL, but crafted with humility and soul. Their rosé is a summer staple—fresh, elegant, and made for golden hour.

• Barboursville Vineyards (Barboursville, VA)
  One of Virginia’s most respected estates. Their Octagon, a Bordeaux-style blend, is legendary—but for summer, the Vermentino or Sauvignon Blanc is crisp perfection.

• Stinson Vineyards (Crozet, VA)
  A family-run micro-boutique winery in the foothills of the Blue Ridge. French-style, food-friendly wines that feel like a countryside lunch.

• King Family Vineyards (Crozet, VA)
  Their Roseland white blend and Crosé rosé are go-tos for a patio pour. Bonus: they host summer polo on Sundays.

• Walsh Family Wine (Purcellville, VA)
  One of the newer stars in Northern Virginia. Minimal intervention wines that feel intentional and alive.

Final Pour

To drink Virginia wine is to drink something made just for you—not mass-produced, not globalized. It’s a reminder that small is still beautiful. That soil still matters. That America is still making things—quietly, carefully, and with pride.

This summer, choose to visit, or better yet, order American. Support the growers, the makers, and the stories being poured from these hills into your glass.

It doesn’t have to be flashy.
It just has to be real.