The Shenandoah Valley was the site of the first vineyard in Virginia, dating back to the 1770s when Thomas Jefferson befriended an Italian viticulturist from Tuscany. The viticulturist, Filippo Mazzei, was convinced that the valley’s soil was perfect for growing grape vines (in fact, he claimed it was even better than in his home country!). The subsequently created Virginia Wine Company had many prominent colonial shareholders, including George Washington himself.
Fast forward more than 200 years and the Shenandoah Valley was officially named an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1982 — a designated wine grape growing region (which generally means that it produces exceptional wines). The rocky, fertile soil in the valley paired with its warm, fairly dry growing season makes it perfect for producing nearly every varietal of grape. Of the 300 Virginia wineries, nearly 40 of them are in the Shenandoah Valley alone. Over the last four decades, Shenandoah Valley Wine Country has become a tourist destination beloved by oenophiles from around the world.
Within the boundaries of the Shenandoah Valley, the area known as Massanutten is home to several award-winning vineyards that are well worth a visit. Named after the mountain that overlooks the area, Massanutten is known for its skiing, hiking, and golf in addition to its wineries. Of the many wineries near Massanutten, these four are known for their exquisite wines, amazing scenery, and world-class hospitality. Read on for the best Virginia wineries to be found in Massanutten.
Brix & Columns Vineyards
When you visit Brix & Columns Vineyards in McGaheysville, don’t be surprised if a friendly black-and-white Great Dane greets you. His name is Wyatt and he loves visitors, including your own leashed dogs. The vibe is chill at Brix & Columns, a winery that planted its first vines in 2015. The estate grows seven grape varietals and produces an assortment of wines to please any palate — from more complex, lingering reds to lighter, sweeter whites.
Owners Steve and Stephanie Pence bought the 160-acre farm in 2003 and incorporated Jeffersonian architecture into both their home and the winery. The large winery accommodates weddings with up to 285 guests, and an elegant banquet hall serves as the perfect setting to celebrate your big day with music and dancing. A smaller, more intimate venue, the Columns at Six Penny Farm, is ideal for small weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, and corporate events.
The winery hosts a full calendar of events, including Music & Mimosas on Sundays, Yoga & Wine on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and Appellation Music with visiting food trucks on Fridays. Enjoy your wine in front of the outdoor fireplace or one of several fire pits and watch the sun set over Massanutten Mountain.
CrossKeys Vineyards
Newly arrived from California, Bob and Nikoo Bakhtiar fell in love with Shenandoah Valley and purchased a 125-acre parcel of untouched land in the 1990s to build their dream home and raise their two sons amid the rolling hills of Mt. Crawford. When a friend suggested the couple start a vineyard on the remaining land, the idea took hold and they began a whirlwind journey into the art of growing grapes and making wine. Their tasting room opened its doors in 2008.
In early 2023 the couple, joined by their two sons, Saam and Babak, celebrated the 15th anniversary of their Tuscan-style winery, which currently produces 12 grape varietals. A 17,000-square-foot winery facility houses their winemaking operations, tasting room, wedding venue, event space, as well as an on-site bistro serving lunch and dinner — delicious items like brie fondue, “smokey” baba ganoush, and pimiento cheese, are on the menu, plus a variety of soups, salads, entrées, and sandwiches. Of course, estate-grown wine pairs perfectly with every meal.
The family chose the name CrossKeys Vineyards as a way of paying tribute to the old Cross Keys Tavern, a meeting place for the historic community that originally dates back to the 1800s. While the tavern is no longer in existence, the spirit of community continues. According to the winery’s owners, the pair of gold crossed keys is an old symbol of hospitality, excellence, and prestige. “The keys embody our goal of producing exquisite wines, delicious food, and fabulous events,” explains Nikoo, “and are a daily reminder that we are here to provide an excellent experience for every guest that walks through our doors.”
Early Mountain Vineyards
Located in Madison County, Early Mountain Vineyards was purchased in 2010 by Jean Case, and her husband Steve. As the Chairman of the National Geographic Society, Jean’s broad career background led her to an innovative approach to the business of wine-making, and the winery was a success from the beginning. In 2016 Early Mountain was voted the number one tasting room in the country by USA Today.
The 350-acre vineyard grows classic Bordeaux-type varietals such as cabernet franc and merlot, as well as new varietals, including malvasia bianca, sauvignon blanc, and tannat. At the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Cup (a prestigious and highly competitive wine competition between Virginia wine makers), Early Mountain Vineyard took home four gold medals for three different vintages of cabernet franc and a merlot/petit verdot blend.
The tasting room serves a complete restaurant menu of small plates and shareables featuring fresh farm-to-table produce. Try Chef Tim’s Flights and Bites with thoughtfully curated small plates paired with a customized wine flight. Early Mountain’s tasting room and grounds also serve as a majestic setting for weddings, and the winery also welcomes private and corporate events.
Barboursville Vineyards
Founded by Gianni and Silvana Zonin in 1976, Barboursville Vineyards is set amid a stunning 900-acre estate near Gordonsville. The Zonins are an Italian family whose viticulture roots date back to 1820s Veneto, the largest region in Italy. The estate was originally a large agricultural plantation, and the Barbour family were neighbors to (and friends of) Thomas Jefferson. Today, the vineyard’s bucolic pasturelands and rolling hills offer amazing vistas for visitors, and the colonial history and architecture are a point of interest.
The estate’s remarkable wines includes the much-lauded octagon, a noble Bordeaux-style blend that reflects the Virginia terroir with aromas of blueberry, black currant, fresh flowers, and herbs. Among Barboursville’s stellar whites is nascent, a blend of viognier, vermentino, and falanghina grapes, producing a wine with notes of citrus, pear, and rose. Their dessert wine, paxxito, which earned the Gold Medal in the 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup, is known for its lush, creamy texture and notes of tropical fruit. Winemaker Luca Paschina, also from Italy, has been perfecting Barboursville wines since 1990.
The inviting Discovery Tasting Room welcomes guests to sample Barboursville wines with enthusiastic guides on hand to provide more insight. The adjoining Library 1821 offers flights of the winery’s top vintages. Outdoor tables overlooking the pastoral scenery provide gathering spots for visitors to enjoy the wines, and the on-site restaurant serves elevated cuisine in a refined setting, perfect for special occasions. The menu celebrates Italian cuisine and provides suggested wine pairings. Barboursville regularly hosts special events, including the Annual Truffle Feast, held each November.
In addition to the stellar wineries near Massanutten, the area offers world-class skiing, hiking in the Shenandoah National Park, and a wide variety of other activities. For more ideas on things to see and do in Massanutten, check out this handy guide.
Where To Stay In Massanutten
Here are eight RCI-affiliated resorts in Massanutten that will put you in perfect proximity for exploring the area’s top wineries and other key sites.
