Cruv

Virginia wine region

Charlottesville and Monticello Wineries

Monticello Wine Trail wineries sit within 25 miles of Charlottesville, a place Thomas Jefferson believed was ideal for growing grapevines.

40+ places in Cruv · 100+ upcoming events

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Rows of young grapevines on a hillside at a vineyard in Albemarle County, Virginia, with a white farmhouse and trees on the crest.

At a glance

Places in Cruv
40+
Upcoming events
100+
Known for
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Viognier
  • Chardonnay
  • Merlot
Nearest city
Roughly 2 hours south of Washington, D.C.

Areas in Charlottesville and Monticello

  • Nelson County (Nelson 151)

    A craft-beverage trail along Route 151, a scenic byway designated by the state on the Blue Ridge's eastern side. Wineries sit close together in the pastoral Rockfish Valley, alongside breweries, cideries and distilleries.

    10+ places in Cruv

Know before you go

Reservations
Some guided tastings require a reservation and others don't, so book ahead when you can. Many wineries can also host small groups if you call first.
Getting there
Roughly 2 hours south of Washington, D.C., Charlottesville has an airport about 8 miles from downtown and a central train station. Interstate 64 and U.S. 29 meet in Albemarle County; U.S. 250 passes many wineries.
Best time to visit
October is Virginia Wine Month, and fall brings colorful foliage. Winter is quieter, with fireplaces and firepits at many wineries; hours run shorter, and reservations help secure heated indoor seating.
Getting around
The visitor bureau's directory sorts wineries into five areas: near Monticello, around Crozet, south of town, Barboursville and Keswick, and Earlysville and Free Union. Plan a designated driver, a scheduled rideshare or a tour.

Look for the trail's annual wine week in and around Charlottesville, with winemaker dinners and a walk-around tasting with live music, plus events at individual wineries.

Charlottesville and Monticello on the map

Map of Virginia showing Charlottesville and Monticello northwest of Richmond (Virginia wine regions)

Nearby wine regions

  • Shenandoah Valley

    Virginia's first AVA runs nearly 200 miles between the Blue Ridge and the Alleghenies, from West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle down to Botetourt County.

    25+ places in Cruv · 75+ upcoming events

  • Fauquier County

    Horse and wine country in the Blue Ridge foothills, about 40 miles from Washington, D.C., with part of the Middleburg Virginia AVA.

    20+ places in Cruv · 30+ upcoming events

  • Loudoun County

    Six wine clusters stretch from the Blue Ridge foothills to Middleburg horse country, about 25 miles west of Washington, D.C.

    35+ places in Cruv · 110+ upcoming events