Epicurian exploration: Leave the crowds behind in the little-known wine region of Loudoun County, Virginia

Main image caption: Bluemont vineyard has beautiful views from its patio (Visit Loudoun/Neal Alfano Photography/Miles Partnership)

Loudoun County is a gourmand’s playground, a nature-lover’s delight and a well-kept secret. Hemmed in by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Potomac River, it occupies a gloriously green pocket of Northern Virginia, all vine-striped landscapes and quaint little towns.

Here, you can sip a glass of Cabernet Franc while gazing at rolling hills, sample tasting menus built on locally foraged ingredients, or relax with vinotherapy treatments. As well as the vines, seek out festivals that reveal an eclectic culture and hiking trails carved from the mountains. Loudoun is easy to reach, too, less than an hour from the centre of Washington DC and home to the region’s primary airport, Dulles International, making for easy exploration mere minutes from landing.

But despite its natural bounty, stellar food-and-drink scene and winning location, Loudoun remains largely untapped by tourists. Here’s how to make the most of a visit to this wine-soaked wedge of Virginian hospitality.

Into the vineyards

Go for the grape 

It’s easy to see why Loudoun County is known as DC’s ‘Wine Country’®. There are more than 50 wineries here, with many offering intimate behind-the-scenes tours, tastings and immersive cultural experiences.

Make a beeline for the swish Bluemont Vineyard in the region’s west. On weekends in September, visitors plunge their feet into fruit-filled barrels for the winery’s annual ‘Crush With Us’ grape-stomping experience. For the rest of the year, you can graze on charcuterie or pastries with a picnic among the vines, or sip Viognier and drink in Blue Ridge views on an expansive patio.

To the north, you’ll find down-to-earth Sunset Hills Vineyard, which is known for its green credentials. Here, solar panels power the facility’s wine production, while the native plants onsite attract pollinators such as monarch butterflies. 

Alternative tipples

It’s not just about wine in Loudoun. The LoCo Ale Trail joins up 30-plus craft breweries, including creative spots like Adroit Theory Brewing where you can prop up the bar in the taproom and try everything from dragon-fruit-flavoured sours to milky stouts.

For spirits fans, there’s Catoctin Creek Distilling Company. Industry leader Becky Harris is the chief distiller here and she’ll give you a tour of the facility, which makes American rye whiskey, flavoured brandies and gin.

Farm fresh

You’ll not go hungry, either. Loudoun County is home to around 1,200 commercial farms, fuelling a vibrant local gastronomy scene. Head for The Wine Kitchen in 18th-century Leesburg, where house-made pastas and the catch of the day are paired with flights of regional wine. Or try the ‘New American’ tasting menu at the Restaurant at Patowmack Farm, with dishes fashioned from prized ingredients supplied by local farmers, foragers and fisherfolk.

3 things to do when you're not sipping wine

Hit the Appalachian Trail

A challenging stretch of the Appalachian Trail is enveloped in Loudoun County. This storied hiking route strikes across the Eastern United States, spanning over 3,540km and passing through 14 states.

The Loudoun County portion is nicknamed ‘Virginia’s Rollercoaster’ for its many steep ascents and descents. For a taster, set off from Route 7 (Snickers Gap) and hike a boulder-strewn, panorama-heavy path to Ashby Gap. Trekkers are rewarded with epic vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah River valley.

If you fancy something more sedate, try the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park instead. Following the bed of an old railway line, this leafy route spans some 72 paved kilometres – a bridle path runs adjacent to the trail too.

Indulge your creative side

A thriving arts scene exists in Loudoun County. Galleries and studios abound in the Leesburg Arts and Cultural District, which is also bright with murals and quirky sculptures. Stop by the Loudoun Museum, which holds fine oil paintings and watercolours as well as other artefacts bringing the region’s history to life. In Middleburg, the Impressionist paintings of the Byrne Gallery are a highlight.

Loudoun moves to its own beat, and breweries and wineries host music festivals throughout the year, celebrating genres from country to jazz. Mark the LoCo Musicians Festival on your calendar – in early September, local musicians descend on 868 Estate Vineyards for a day of open-air performances. And come the autumn, the Middleburg Film Festival is a landmark event drawing Hollywood heavyweights and film buffs from across the world.

Get lost in historic houses

There’s a whole lot of history here too. The area has a deep-rooted military tradition, and a notable early skirmish in the American Civil War, the Battle of Ball’s Bluff, was fought in the region. Interpretive trails in the Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park bring this slice of history into focus.

But the best way to go back in time is to explore the region’s historic homes. Start at Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, which belonged to George Carter, a descendant of one of the state’s first families. You’ll wander a 19th-century Greek Revival mansion and explore 145-hectare grounds that include a formal English garden. Tours tell the stories of its former owners and the enslaved people who lived and worked here.

While in Leesburg, visit Dodona Manor, once home of General George Catlett Marshall, author of the Marshall Plan. This mostly Federal-style house is filled with original artworks and textiles owned by the Marshall family.

Bed down at one of Loudoun’s many charming B&Bs, or opt for a resort. Salamander Resort & Spa offers Forbes Five-Star luxury, while Lansdowne Resort & Spa is a great gateway to wine country – all perfect places to unwind after busy days spent exploring Loudoun County.

Feeling inspired? 

Start planning your dream visit to Loudoun County now by heading over to the official website. 

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