Women and wine seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly for a “Girls’ Night Out.” But who’s to say guys can’t enjoy a nice glass of vino too? Spotsylvania, Virginia, is home to a host of vineyards, each with their own twist. Whether you have the afternoon or a full weekend with the guys, these spots offer unique experiences that will have them reminiscing for months after.
Wilderness Run Vineyards is Virginia’s Historical Farm Vineyard. Enjoy earthy vibes as you look out over rolling hills and scenic silos. Plenty of outdoor space awaits you to enjoy the day as you would if you lived the farm life–an old pontoon boat has even been converted into a stage for live entertainment! Living out their sole rule of “drink the wine you like,” a wide offering of wines is categorized into Country, Historic, and Estate collections. Try the Tool Shed Red Blend that gives a nod to the vineyard’s humble roots where tastings were first held, or the Field Blend, part of the Estate Collection. The Historic Collection salutes the area’s past and is the result of partnering with local historians and museums to capture the essence of local figures featured on the bottle. For example, did you know that Stonewall Jackson lost his arm during the Civil War on Wilderness Run Property? To keep the good times rolling, follow your wine with a visit to 1781 Brewery and the Old Towne Tobacconist Cigar Lounge, both located on Wilderness Run Vineyards property.
For the dudes who value time spent with their favorite folks, Eden Try is an ideal spot to gather on the weekends. Family-owned and full of fun offerings like live local music, food trucks, and even special “beer weekend” events, this beloved local winery knows how to bring effervescent energy to their pristine sip-and-stay-awhile grounds. Be sure to check out the ultra-refreshing winetails (after all, real men rock a stemmed glass!).
Situated close to Lake Anna, Lake Anna Winery is one of the region’s most popular spots for vino and scenic views. The boutique winery produces award-winning wines and the proud home of Virginia’s Renaissance Faire (talk about epic revelry and ample opportunities for great people-watching!). Weekends at Lake Anna Winery mean live performances from country music artists to jazz musicians and Cajun Zydeco bands to vibey California beach music with a wealth of genres in between! Be sure to try the winery’s 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup Silver Medal winners: Spotsylvania Claret, 2019 Barrel Select Chardonnay, 2019 Morgan Merlot, 2019 Petit Verdot, and 2020 Verdi. Who says you have to road trip to Napa to experience winning wines?
For the guy who considers himself the ultimate DIY-er, look no further than Bacchus Winery. While Bacchus Winery has a traditional tasting room to sample their wine made on the premises, it also hosts numerous winemaking classes as an Enology and Viticulture Instructional Facility. In fact, Bacchus is known as the most desired home-winemaking destination in the area! Grapes, fruit, honey, and other local ingredients using Virginia agriculture become crafted into artisan foods that can be tastefully paired with your wine sampling. These products are sold at the winery to take some home for later, too. To keep your creative juices flowing, pick up a winemaking kit on your way out. Winemaking kits are a fun – and thrifty – way to keep your newly-learned vintner skills fresh while costing as low as $3 per bottle!
Mattaponi Winery is a small, family, and Native American-owned winery that has been in the heart of Spotsylvania County for over 20 years. Originally started as a Christmas tree farm, the winery continues to sell Christmas trees in November and December. After you choose just the right tree for your merriment, enjoy a warm glass of mulled-spice strawberry wine. While traditional white and red wines are available throughout the year (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot), Mattaponi Winery has been touted as the “conqueror of fruit wine.” Fruit wines are made from 100% real fermented fruit, never from concentrate or any artificial flavorings. Try authentically named wines like the Makadewamin (blackberry) or the Kizismin (peach) for a crisp and refreshing treat. To take this experience up a notch, check out Mattaponi Winery’s monthly pairing events – your palate is in for a treat when their specialty fruit wine is served with soups, BBQ, flavored popcorn, or donuts!
If your crew wants to take the guesswork out of planning their stops, make a reservation for a wine tour with Trolley Tours of Fredericksburg. Leaving from the Spotsylvania Towne Centre and stopping at three wineries, tours include a boxed lunch while you kick back and listen to a lively discussion of local history between stops. The Spotsylvania Town Centre is nearby for dinner and drinks after the tour to “wine” down after a solid day of fun.
No matter if you and your guys are in the mood for a day outdoors, getting your hands dirty in the winemaking process, or exploring Native American fruit wines, there is a tale waiting to be told at these wineries in Spotsylvania. Let’s raise a glass to creating a next-level “Guys’ Day Out” (or a well-deserved weekend)!