1. Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards
This is one of the most well-known wineries in the area, often visited by UVA students in the early fall and spring time. They have fabulous views and Insta-friendly seating so that you can show all your friends how sophisticated and grown you truly are. They also have little meals and charcuterie boards for when all that wine makes you hungry af.
2. Jefferson Vineyards
This is one of the homiest wineries, as the people are extremely nice and knowledgeable about the wine they are serving. It is pretty casual so you don't see many people dressed up, but you do see a lot of women in sun dresses. The wine is amazing, and the prices are relatively reasonable; a tasting of 9 wines and a free Jefferson Vineyard wine glass cost only $12 which is definitely a bargain if you're looking to keep costs down. I would recommend bringing your car if you plan on eating here, however, because the little cafe is separate from the tasting room and the food they provide in the tasting room is sold separately (i.e. My boyfriend and I asked for a cheese plate, and they literally provided us with a block of cheese).
3. Trump Winery
OK, so half of the world hates Trump, but his son's winery is pretty cool. The views are amazing and the little tasting room is cute and fashionable. There's even a little patio outside if you prefer to sit outside during warm days, and the seating comes with another amazing view of the vineyard. The wine itself is great, although it can be a little pricey ($40-50 a bottle if you're buying) and the tastings only include 4 wines. However, you do get to keep the wine glass and out of all the wine glasses I've gotten for free at wine tastings, the one from trump winery is definitely my favorite because it's light and pretty.
4. Blenheim Vineyards
This is a very cute, family-friendly place (i.e. I definitely saw a family having a birthday party for their kid near the side picnic tables). If you go during the summer, they have an outside bar with wine and some live music to make the atmosphere even better. The most amazing views are probably at this vineyard, as you can go upstairs and onto the balcony, which overviews the entire vineyard. They also have t-shirts for sale, and those t-shirts are super comfy! The wine itself is okay, not the best, but also not the worst. The only downfall is that they don't have any food for sale, and only provide customers with access to a southern themed food truck located on the outskirts of the vineyard. The food there also isn't phenomenal (i.e. I ordered a veggie wrap and got cole slaw with two pieces of avocado wrapped in a tortilla) but if you're hungry I guess it works well enough until you get home.
5. Barboursville Vineyards
So Barboursville is a 40-ish minute drive from Charlottesville, but it is definitely my favorite vineyard in Virginia (of the ones I have visited so far). They have a little tasting room in the back, which you have to ask about in the main room once you enter. The tastings are super fun, as they bring out a flight of wines for you and you have all the wine glasses placed in front of you at the same time (at other vineyards, they pour tastings into one glass individually). You don't end up taking a free wine glass home (how sad) but the experience is definitely worth it and you don't need a wine glass to prove it.
