When a lovely Saturday in September with low humidity broke the summer heat, we journeyed to Loudon County for a reprieve.
TOURING
First we joined a Civil War tour in Leesburg on the Potomac River about the Battle of Ball’s Bluff, which was more in my husband’s interest since the guide went to excessive detail, I’ve learned, like every other Civil War battlefield we’ve done this summer.
When the tour finally ended, we were starving, so we drove from Leesburg to Purcellville for a favorite of mine I hadn’t done in years.
DINING
It was great introducing my husband to the Texas flavors at Smokin’ Willies, first discovered when my son attended Patrick Henry College.
Impressed with the Texas flag out front when we first visited, we were even more wowed when we were seated in a booth underneath a giant photo of Gruene Dance Hall, near where I attended college in Texas and where George Strait got his start.
HIKING
Then we drove to Bluemont to hike up a geological treasure called Bear’s Den, which has a fantastic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
WINE VIEWS
Continuing our geological tour, we took a quick drive to nearby Bluemont Winery, where we enjoyed snacks and a glass of wine, while enjoying amazing views of eastern Northern Virginia, where we live.
Family owned, the winery recently opened in 2007, after years of dreaming of the mountainside acreage’s vineyard potential as they operated a farm below.
Although they are a new winery, they aren’t far behind the others due to Virginia’s wine country history.
GEOLOGY MEETS WINE MAKING
Since Loudon County has a varied topography with well drained soils, the setting is ideal for wineries galore.
As such, over fifty wineries comprise the Loudon Wine Trail, which produces more grapes than any other region in Virginia.
Many of these Loudon wineries, on an individual basis, have won prestigious awards.
AWARD WINNING
USA Today’s 10 Best awarded Loudon as the fourth best wine region in America.
