Summer Sipping in Virginia

Virginia summers can be hot and humid and most days are spent trying to stay inside with the air conditioner as much as possible, so how do you enjoy wineries? At Black Women Who Wine, we love summer sipping, but to stay outside beyond May, we need shade and crisp options. We’ve visited many wineries over the last five years and the ones that top our list of favorites for summer visits include various seating options, crisp whites, wine slushies, and food options.

So where do we like to sip?

If you’re in the Northern Virginia area, check out Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton. Paradise Springs is located in the incredibly cute town of Clifton where you can visit small shops and local restaurants. Paradise Springs is a great summer option because it has ample indoor and outdoor space and so many wine options, including the Chill 2023, a chillable red. Others to try include the 2022 Petit Manseng, Sommet Blanc 2022, and a new pet nat. The downside to Paradise Springs is it gets extremely crowded, so either go early or late if going during the weekend or check it out on a weekday.

The Shenandoah Valley wine region in Virginia is one of the most expansive AVAs in the state and includes Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Shenandoah, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Rockbridge, Botetourt and Amherst counties in Virginia, and Berkeley and Jefferson counties in West Virginia. Summer sipping reigns supreme here with plenty of shady options.

CrossKeys Vineyards in Mt. Crawford remains a favorite. This venue includes a full-service bistro, indoor seating, and outdoor seating that the proprietors have put a lot of care into creating a space that is pleasant for outdoor summer seating. Cave Ridge Vineyards and The Winery at Kindred Pointe in Mt. Jackson are also great choices.

We also love wine slushies. Some of our favorites can be found at Eastwood Farm & Winery, Chiles Peach Orchard/Carter’s Mountain Orchard, Bluemont Vineyard, Sweet Vines Farm Winery, and Well Hung Vineyards.