I live in Coastal Virginia where concerts, festivals and community events take place year round. Visitors and locals can spend the afternoon walking the oceanfront, riding roller coasters in Williamsburg or even placing bets at the new Portsmouth casino. From spring to early winter, my husband and I try to sneak away for a weekend getaway in the mountains about 3 hours north of the beach. Even just a few hours near the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the autumn leaves, hike to a mountain top or see the waterfalls will help take your mind away from the everyday hustle and bustle. The highlight for me at the end of these activities… is having a celebratory drink after.
Some of our favorite spots listed below are all within 30 minutes of each other between Nelson and Albemarle County, mostly along Rockfish Valley Highway (RT 151). I would recommend staying at a local Bed & Breakfast or renting a room at a nearby hotel so there isn’t a need to rush through the sights and stressing about the trip back home.
King Family Vineyards A family operated vineyard known for their seasonal Polo matches, gorgeous event facilities and producing equally delicious red and white wine. In the summer of 2021, my then-fiancé and I were on the hunt for a wedding venue. Having heard of King Family from several of my customers, we decided to visit the winery located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We sat at a small table under a tree and sipped our wine while watching people set up picnics and posing in front of the picturesque mountain views. Without even seeing their reception room, we decided that would be our wedding venue. I’m sure the glass of their award winning Meritage helped make that decision! For our wedding, we chose Meritage, Crosé and Viognier to be served to our guests but I also would recommend trying Roseland and Sauvignon Blanc.
Valley Road Vineyards I always remember this winery as “the one with the red umbrellas.” A memorable location surrounded with views of mountains, trees, water and vines. Whether you stop by while they have live music or sit in the shade with nothing but the breeze, this is an ideal place to enjoy delicious wine outside (they also offer indoor seating in their tasting room). A few of my favorites are Meritage, Torn Curtain, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. I will have to try more of their whites next time!
Blue Mountain Brewery You can find us here for lunch or dinner pretty much anytime we’re up at the mountains. Their menu selection has something for everyone which makes it an easy stop when with a group of friends that have different meal preferences. Do yourself a favor and try one of their pizzas (we would order their pizza special when they offer one) otherwise I’m sure you will be perfectly satisfied with one of their burgers or sandwiches, instead. (I can’t recommend the salads… because I haven’t had any. Hello, they have pizza). We have done their sampler flight several times but on most visits I stick with the Full Nelson Pale Ale.
Silverback Distillery One of my favorite stops when we’re on VA-151 for locally crafted spirits. Silverback offers cocktails and straight pours (limit of 3oz pp/pd) and an option to create a flight sample. While my Go-To is doing a vodka cocktail flight, I would recommend the Smoked S’more Cocktail because once you watch them make it for someone else you’re also going to want one. We purchase bottles of Strange Monkey Gin and Honey Rye for home and as gifts whenever we pass by.
Bold Rock Nellysford Cidery Anyone who has ever indulged in a hard cider is probably familiar with Bold Rock. Make your way up their wooden ramp to enter their thoughtfully designed barn “Chapel of Apple” overlooking Rockfish River. They offer several ciders on tap along with any seasonal flavors to enjoy during your visit. Apple and Pineapple are my favorites but when Blood Orange is in season, I get a glass for here and a case To Go! Whether you’re dining inside (I love their waffle fries with cheese sauce), sitting on the patio, by the firepit or walk down closer to the river, you’ll be in awe of the location Bold Rock has chosen for their tap room and production facility. With ample seating areas and the property extending down to a grassy field, this is an ideal place for a picnic with playing space for kids and “furry children”.
Blue Toad Hard Cider I’ll never forget the summer my husband and I hiked Three Ridges and him quickly learning that I’d been lying about my physical fitness. I complained (only most of the time) but he still rewarded me with refreshing cider at Blue Toad (Blonde and Paddy Green are my picks). I quenched my thirst with a Paddy Green while we relieved our feet in the cool South Fork Rockfish River beside the Cider Hall. Even though there are plenty of outdoor seating, it’s nice to see people always sitting in the grass or on the rocks by the river. As they have several outdoor activities, this is a great place to go with friends and family.
Devils Backbone Brewing Company – Roseland Do not miss a chance to visit this establishment when you’re in Nelson County. While the construction and scenery alone will surely impress you, this brewpub offers so much more to locals and visitors. We have been here during a concert, seafood festival, beer tasting, s’more night and even spent a weekend on the campgrounds. We go to Devils Backbone 90% of the time we’re at the mountains for lunch, dinner (try their Bone Dipper sandwich) or to grab a beer (Export Golden Lager and Backbone Premium Lager are my top picks) and sit at the firepit. On hot days when an icy drink is needed, one of their frozen Smash cocktails is an easy choice. No matter the season, this is where you can grab a drink and celebrate the outdoors.
Delfosse Vineyards and Winery (aka Mountain & Vine) Delfosse is nestled in a valley off of 634 which makes for a serene visit as you sip in peace with a panoramic view of the mountains. They offer a wine tasting in their sunroom or you can enjoy a flight in their outdoor seating area while gazing at the vineyards climbing up the hills. We have several favorites like Screaming Hawk, Grinning Fox and 1870 but don’t let that stop you from doing their tasting assortment. As we became immediate Wine Club members, our home is always stocked with Mountain & Vine wine.
It’s a scenic drive no matter what direction you’re coming from or which of these businesses you decide to visit. Once you arrive at each location, you’ll find that they all have their own unique charm and ambiance even if just a few miles apart. If you crave an unplugged weekend to spend a little bit of time in nature, there are several hikes in this area (for any difficulty level) that you can experience during your getaway. There’s so many things to see and do and even more wineries and breweries to check out. Enjoy a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, hike to a mountain top, go apple picking, follow a trail that leads to a waterfall, go tubing on the James River, then honor your trip with a locally produced beverage! Who knows, maybe we’ll bump into you on a trail or at one of these spots!
Please take into consideration that these photos were taken over the past 4 years throughout different seasons (and before I intended on journaling my visits) so I encourage you to visit the business websites for updates and information. (And better photos.)
Drink responsibly.