A trip to wine country isn’t as far from D.C. as you might think
Fritz Hahn and Thomas Floyd
The Washington Post
There’s a slight nip in the air, and trees have burst into a full blaze of gold, apricot and bronze. A crisp autumn afternoon practically begs to be spent sitting in the sun at a winery, sipping and sampling with friends, enjoying the fresh air and admiring the changing colors of nature.
But anyone who lives in Washington knows that enjoying a day trip to wine country can literally mean spending the full day — rounding everyone up, getting in the car, sitting in traffic, and then doing it all again on the way home. Visiting the best-known vineyards sometimes means spending more time driving than actually enjoying the wine.
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To make the best use of time, we worked with Washington Post wine writer Dave McIntyre to create a list of recommended wineries located roughly an hour or less from downtown D.C. These wineries offer bottlings that allow single varietals, such as chambourcin, to shine, as well as award-winning blends. Some have been around for a decade, while others are only a few years old. All encourage guests to hang out outdoors, on porches or around picnic tables, admiring the vines and views. In the end, that’s the most important thing.
