RdV Vineyards produces two—and only two—world-class Bordeaux-style wines in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Now the picturesque vineyard has teamed up with The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner to offer one perfect weekend.
The RdV Vineyards Experience includes an overnight stay at The Ritz-Carlton Tysons; round-trip sedan transportation from the hotel to RdV in Delaplane (about an hour away); a tour and tasting at the vineyard; and breakfast for two and complimentary valet parking at the hotel. This dining critic’s experience went like this:
Arriving at the Ritz-Carlton, my husband and I discover we’ve been upgraded to a suite on the 24th floor with grand views stretching all the way to Washington, D.C. Our stay includes Club Floor access to a swanky lounge, where treats and libations are available throughout the day and evening.
After checking in to the room, we alight to our waiting limo and head to RdV. Our tour begins with glasses of the private label rosé (available only on the premises) on a terrace overlooking 16 glorious acres. Master sommelier and estate director Jarad Slipp then leads us through the pristine winery, explaining the wine-making process and history of the vineyard. It was founded in 2004 by owner Rutger de Vink, a Marine with an MBA from Northwestern and a penchant for risky endeavors.
After the tour, we are seated at a private table in the light-filled hospitality room for a soigné charcuterie platter (duck prosciutto, lush duck rillettes, Grayson cheese, buttery toasted bread, assorted patés and country ham) and a blind tasting. We choose as our two favorites RdV’s Rendezvous 2014 (which earned a 90 rating from Wine Spectator) and Lost Mountain 2014 (92 rating from Wine Spectator). In our minds, they beat out two heavy-hitters from Napa and Bordeaux—the Caymus Special Selection Cabernet 2014 and Chateau Montrose Saint-Estephe 2014.
Returning to the Ritz blissfully buzzed, we nap, refresh and dine at the nearby Clarity restaurant, then finish the evening listening to live jazz in the hotel’s sophisticated Entyse Wine Bar & Lounge. Hitting the lavish Club Lounge buffet the next morning, we indulge in smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and cappuccinos over The New York Times. That’s luxury.
The RdV Vineyards Experience package is available Thursday-Sunday through the end of 2019. Rates start at $599 per night. To book, visit ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/washington-dc/tysons-corner/offers.