Virginia’s many wineries are beautiful places to visit in the fall—and there’s no need to hold off just because your family includes members of the under-21 set. Many vineyards are adding kid-friendly snacks and drinks, fishing and even mini golf alongside their grapes. Here are eight wineries that roll out the welcome mat to guests of all ages. Some have restricted drinking areas for those of legal drinking age, but most do not.
Bluemont Vineyard
Bluemont offers a double-dose of family fun: the Zurschmeide family that owns Bluemont Vineyard also oversees Great Country Farms, located at the base of the winery’s elevated property. Great Country hosts several seasonal events including its Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival in October, which includes a corn maze, pumpkin cannons, pig races and live music. After the pigs and pumpkins, head up the hill to the tasting room where your farm wristband entitles you to a discounted wine tasting. The café menu has a variety of flatbreads, chips and salsa and juices—as well as sweet options such as fresh cookies and pies. Youngsters are welcome to play on the winery’s large lawn or explore the vines while adults enjoy the expansive views and a glass of 2017 Russ Mountain Merlot. //18755 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, Virginia
Age-restricted space: The Reserve Tasting Room is 21+. All other areas are open to all ages.
Distance from Arlington: 1 hour
Doukenie Winery
Bring a fishing pole and bait in tow when you visit this nearly 40-year-old winery in Loudoun County. The owners allow catch-and-release fishing on the stocked pond in the middle of the Hillsboro property. In the winter months, the heat is turned on in the gazebos and s’mores are added to the menu. Speaking of which, the chocolate and marshmallow combo is a great match for the winery’s signature dessert wine, Hope’s Legacy, a blend of red raspberries and red grapes. //14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro, Virginia
Age-restricted space: Some areas are marked as 21+, but all green space and covered gazebos are open for families.
Distance from Arlington: 1 hour
DuCard Vineyards
Don’t forget to throw a soccer ball or a bocce set in the car before you head to DuCard Vineyards. Located on the edge of Shenandoah National Park, this boutique winery has large lawns where kids can play outdoor games and blow off steam while parents order a bottle of estate grown Viognier and enjoy mountain views. DuCard provides juice boxes for kids as well as baby changing facilities in the restrooms. The winery, which touts its environmental stewardship and sustainability practices, also offers a complimentary EV charging station. //40 Gibson Hollow Lane, Etlan, Virginia
Age-restricted space: None
Distance from Arlington: 1 hr. 40 mins
Firefly Cellars
Children are offered crayons and coloring pages upon arrival at this Loudoun County winery, which has plenty of space to spread out, including partially covered picnic and backyard areas with oversized swinging chairs and fire pits. Families can enjoy live music as they nosh on giant charcuterie boards, or order from food trucks that set up on the weekends. On Oct. 14, Firefly will host its Fall Fest, featuring a petting zoo, pony rides, bobbing for apples and face painting. Families can return later in the season for a winter holiday market and a “Christmas in the Cabin” event, with an opportunity to visit with Santa. If you’re 21 or older, have a taste of Firefly’s “Illumination”—a sweet, white blend of Riesling, Traminette and white Cabernet Franc. //40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton, Virginia
Age-restricted space: Tasting room and deck. All other areas are open to all ages. Guests of all ages are asked not to touch the horses that live on site.
Distance from Arlington: 45 minutes
Keswick Vineyards
Located along the Monticello Wine Trail—a group of 40 wineries near Charlottesville—Keswick Vineyards has been making award-winning wines for more than 20 years. In 2022, Owner Cindy Schornberg decided to add something new: a nine-hole, wine-themed mini golf course. The café offers sandwiches, charcuterie and soups, and guests can also bring their own food to enjoy. There is also a dog park on site. Adults can partake of the vineyard’s estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon or one of the sweet—and very popular—wine slushies. // 1575 Keswick Winery Drive, Keswick, Virginia
Age-restricted space: None
Distance from Arlington: 2 hours
Mountain Run Winery
This Culpeper winery has nearly 20 acres of fields and trails, playground equipment and loads of outdoor games like ladder ball and cornhole. The winery also is the state’s largest Live-Action Role Playing (LARP) site, so don’t be surprised if you are tasting the Virginia Governor’s Cup gold-medal-winning 2021 Petit Manseng next to someone fully costumed in fantasy garb. Mountain Run’s Fall Festival and Craft Fair on Oct. 21 will feature live music, moon bounces, food trucks and 40 local retailers. //10753 Mountain Run Lake Road, Culpeper, Virginia
Age-restricted space: Second floor lounge area is 21+. All other areas are open to all ages.
Distance from Arlington: 1 hour, 15 min
Potomac Point Vineyard & Winery
Consider paying for a reservation in Potomac Point Vineyard’s outdoor dining area, Merlot Meadow. Here, you can order up a picnic spread to fuel your bocce game or cozy up by one of the fire pits while the kids play on the giant lawn. The winery’s on-site bistro has an extensive kids’ menu, including a charcuterie board called the Little Bud’s Platter. Adults can choose from a wine list featuring award-winning Petit Verdot, Viognier and Merlot. The Vineyard’s Harvest Party on Sept. 30 will have a scavenger hunt, pumpkin decorating and a moon bounce for young visitors, as well as grape stomping for all ages. //275 Decatur Road, Stafford, Virginia
Age-restricted space: Outdoor Lounge in Merlot Meadow (the rest of that area is open to all)
Distance from Arlington: 50 minutes
Wine Reserve at Waterford
The spacious lawn at this weekend winery outside of Leesburg is perfect for games and lunch with friends and family. The food menu includes flavored sparkling water and kid-popular Pocky sticks. This winery often offers family-friendly movie nights and decorates its tasting room with seasonal flair. Loudoun County’s wine godfather, Doug Fabbioli, produces its estate wines. Be sure to add the 2019 “Traveling Show” to your self-guided tasting. The estate-grown Cabernet Franc was named a 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup medal winner. //38516 Charles Town Pike, Waterford, Virginia
Age-restricted space: None
Distance from Arlington: 1 hour