As winter settles over the Shenandoah Valley, the region’s wineries shift into their most intimate season. Fireside tastings, limited-release wines, and holiday events draw wine travelers who prefer quiet vineyards, structured reds, and crisp mountain air. This glance at some of the Valley’s top wineries will get you headed in the direction you’d like to go.
One of the region’s largest and most refined estates, CrossKeys produces sparkling wines, Meritage blends, and elegant whites. Its Tuscan-style villa and on-site bistro make it an ideal winter escape for wine, food, and quiet reflection.
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Muse’s European-style winemaking continues to shine in competition, especially its celebrated Bordeaux blends. Their international honors — like the San Diego International Wine & Spirits Competition Platinum awards — signal that Shenandoah wines reach beyond Virginia, holding their own on global stages.
Muse offers a modern tasting room, live entertainment, and sweeping valley views that transform into a peaceful winter vista — a perfect backdrop for savoring a Platinum-winning Roussanne or Clio.
“Best Dog Day Out: If you’re like me, and you like a slightly slower pace, Muse Vineyards is the place for you. It’s low key, amazing wines, sedate hikes through vineyards, and you can take your furry friend right up to the tasting counter!” – Budget Travel
Wolf Gap is a 48-acre family-run estate producing bold reds and aromatic whites. Their scenic hilltop tasting room offers one of the Valley’s most relaxed atmospheres. Plan ahead before popping in for a visit. Winter hours may be reduced to weekends.
Number two on the “Best Wine Club for 2026” list by Newsweek readers.
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Barren Ridge is a heritage winery set in a converted apple barn, known for approachable Rhône-style blends and estate Chardonnay. Winter at Barren Ridge offers a peaceful escape — sip a structured red, perhaps in front of a fire, and take in the quietude of the Valley’s hills.
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Bluestone remains one of the Shenandoah Valley’s most decorated wineries, with multiple Virginia Governor’s Cup medals, a strong track record for estate-grown reds, and recent recognition in Forbes. The estate produces a range of wines, from bold reds like Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon to crisp whites and sparkling wines, ideal for the winter palate.
Visiting Bluestone in winter gives a wonderful contrast: the vines are quiet, the tasting room is warm, and the views of farmland and distant mountains under winter light evoke a serene, almost meditative quality.
“On the nose, the 2017 Petit Verdot is floral and fruity. It offers intense aromas of black fruit, particularly blackberry, and black cherry, floral notes of violet, and subtle hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.” — Forbes
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A longstanding Shenandoah Valley producer with a broad portfolio, Rockbridge Vineyard has been producing award-winning wines for decades. In fact, in 2022, Shep Rouse was named “Grower of the Year” by the Virginia Vineyards Association (VVA). His small-batch, handcrafted wines — ranging from dry reds to sweeter blends — make the winery an appealing winter destination, especially for visitors seeking a more intimate, low-key tasting-room experience away from busier, tourist-heavy vineyards.
“While their wine list is exceptionally long and varied, Rockbridge’s most famous creation is arguably their V d’Or dessert wine, an ice-style wine made from Vidal, Vignoles and Traminette.” — Wine Trails & Wanderlust
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A downtown Staunton favorite producing Austrian-inspired whites and cool-climate reds, Ox-Eye is a European-style tasting experience right in Staunton’s historic Wharf district. That’s not where the grapes are grown, of course. John Kiers and his family founded Ox-Eye Vineyards in the 1990s on a 100-acre farm in Augusta County, planting the first vines in 1999. It wasn’t until 2011 that the tasting room opened and gave us all a cozy urban setting to sip their well-known Rieslings.
“Best on a budget: Ox-Eye Vineyards is one of the few downtown tasting rooms I’ve visited in Virginia, but I dig it’s industrial vibe.” — Budget Travel
Known for elegant sparkling wines, Chambourcin, and crisp aromatic whites, Cave Ridge offers a strong sparkling lineup in a cozy, fireplace-warmed tasting room or igloo experience. Recently, the wines pictured above were awarded gold medals at the annual Shenandoah Cup Wine Competition. The 2019 Cab Franc was number six overall.
Of the 2019 Fossil Reserve, “This outstanding wine pairs beautifully with hearty dishes such as grilled meats, rich stews, and aged cheeses.” — Forbes
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Brix & Columns is a Greek Revival–style estate producing Viognier, Cabernet Franc, and sparkling wines. The grand architecture pairs well with polished, crowd-pleasing wines. Their 2019 Cabernet Franc, 2021 Petit Manseng, and 2020 White Brix have garnered gold medals at recent Virginia Governor’s Cup showings.
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Known for méthode champenoise sparkling wines and a biodynamic approach, Briedé creates boutique sparkling wines with European precision. Their awards include medals from Virginia Governor’s Cup and others. Most recently, Briedé was a 2025 ASWA Triple Gold Winner with their 2023 Arandell Special Reserve, 2022 Bries Estate, and 2023 Guthrie Cabernet Franc.
For travelers seeking a quieter, more intimate wine experience, winter in the Shenandoah Valley delivers. The combination of award-winning wines, seasonal dinners, live music, and serene tasting rooms creates a compelling reason to explore the Valley’s wine trail when the air is cold and the crowds are thin.
Header: Barren Ridge Vineyards. Photo by Sarah Hauser and courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.
