home  /  virginia real estate  /  virginia vineyards and wineries  /  wine trails  /  monticello  /  barboursville vineyards

Barboursville Vineyards

Visitors to Barboursville Vineyards are struck by the feeling of having been transported through time back to when life when simpler. Tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, Barboursville offers respite from city life, and a chance for visitors to slow down and catch their breath.

The ideal weekend outing for history buffs, Barboursville Vineyards is located on the estate of James Barbour, the governor of Virginia during the War of 1812. Not only does a visit to Barboursville offer the promise of finely crafted wines of European heritage, but it also means the chance to experience the elegance and sophistication Thomas Jefferson dreamed of when he designed the mansion for Barbour.

Gianni Zonin, whose family has been producing some of the finest wines in Italy since 1821, established Barboursville Vineyards in 1976. His dedication to growing estate-bottled wines has never wavered, and his passion for his work is evident in every high quality bottle he produces. The wine is an unbeatable combination of Northern Italy inspiration and superbly grown central Virginia grapes.

While the rest of the estate allows visitors to travel back in time to the days of Thomas Jefferson, Barboursville’s Tasting Room transports visitors to Northern Italy. Wine tasters make themselves comfortable in the Italian-style farmhouse, greeted by a roaring fire in the winter and covered loggias in the summertime. While taking in the breathtaking surroundings, more than 15 award-winning wines can be sampled. On the weekends, free tours of the winery are available.

Visitors are sure to enjoy a stroll through the historic ruins of Governor Barbour’s mansion, located just a few minutes from the winery. The estate park, expansive and serene, is framed in ancient boxwoods and is the ideal place for lazy Sunday afternoon picnics.

Upon returning to the winery, visitors can enjoy its elegant restaurant, Palladio. The restaurant serves lunch Wednesday through Sunday and Dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings. Scheduled winery dinners allow visitors to experience the thoughtful pairings of delectable dishes with Barboursville’s food-inherently friendly wine.