Northern Neck Winery Tour.....Take II

About a year and a half ago Mark and I visited the Northern Neck area of Virginia.  We went on a 1 day, 6 winery tour that I blogged about here.  We didn't have enough time to hit all of the wineries in the area so planned to return on a day or days when we did have more time.  A couple weekends back we lucked out with a perfect day to visit the area again.  The first visit took us to the North end of the peninsula so this visit was taking us in a more southern direction. 

Our first stop was at Athena Vineyards in Heathsville, Virginia.  This winery was started and is run by three nurses.  So some of their wines are 'Nightingale' wines names after Florence Nightingale :-) With a big porch and scenic view it's a perfect place to get a glass of wine and relax. 

Stop number 2 was just a couple miles away at Jacey Vineyards, in Wicomico.  They do their tastings just a little different.  Instead of standing at a tasting bar you are seated and a waitress comes to your table and does the tasting.  You can also order various foods from a small menu.  There seemed to be more wines that were made from grapes imported from Europe than grapes grown on site so I don't know how that translates into a Virginia wine but we gave them a shot.  They do boast that they are the only Virginia winery to grow and make a Zinfandel wine. 

Stop three was at Good Luck Cellars, in Kilmarnock.  Large tasting bar, large reception room and big wrap around porch...divine.  Good wine too!

The fourth and final stop was at The Dog and Oyster Vineyard, in Irvington.  This vineyard is also part of the Hope and Glory Inn.  I was most excited about this visit because I've been scoping out the Inn as a possible adventure one weekend for just Mark and myself.  The first thing you notice about the vineyard are the two giant corkscrews you pass to enter the lane to the vineyard.  Being new to the wine business they are only making two of their own wines right now but offer tastings from the nearby Ingleside Vineyard.  This tasting is also done while seated....not a large place and not a lot of seating but very quaint and romantic.  There were several bikers that had been doing a trail and a few from the Inn that pedaled over for a tasting.

 

I still am hoping to return for a visit to the Inn one day :-) We enjoyed our day visiting the wineries and came home with enough wine to stock the wine cabinet and then some.  We were lucky with the weather and I couldn't have asked for better company.