Staying Warm in Virginia Wine Country

It was stupid cold this past weekend. So cold that if left to my own devices, I wouldn’t have left the house for any reason other than to let the dog do his business. But we had things to do: work at the winery capped off with a fabulous wine dinner with the winery owners. We crashed in one of their guest rooms, rolled into little down comforter burritos so cozy I thought I might never get out of bed.
But we had a fun day planned in Virginia Wine Country, and freezing weather wasn’t going to stop us. It was Valentine’s Day and we celebrated as we do best, with wine and food. Our first stop was to Two Twisted Posts Winery in Purcellville, just down the road from Maggie Malick’s Wine Caves where we work occasionally.
We’ve tasted at Two Twisted Posts before, right after their 2012 Chardonnay was selected for the 2014 Governor’s Case. Wineries that wine the case competition must be open for business to sell the award-winning wines immediately. Two Twisted Posts hadn’t expected such a high honor, and according to our tasting associate had just entered the wines to receive feedback they could use to improve their process going forward. But win they did, and even though their formal tasting room was still being built, they set up a tent outside to serve as a makeshift tasting space.
That is one of the things I love most about Virginia Wine Country. It really is an industry where everyone has the ability to succeed if they work at it. It’s a by-the-bootstraps work ethic and love for wine that unites people from all over the country (and even the world) who try these lesser-known wines and find value in the people behind the process.
Since our first visit, Two Twisted Posts has greatly expanded their operation with a formal tasting room and new wines behind the bar. We greatly enjoyed our very informative tasting, and walked away with one of the last few bottles of the winning Chardonnay. To top off a great experience, I made a new friend…
That’s Sage. He likes being scratched under his wings and making direct eye contact. Ashton still hasn’t forgiven me for fraternizing with another animal in such an intimate manner, but we’re all working through it.
Next up, we drove about a half hour to Bluemont Vineyard, my go-to spot for breathtaking views.
I mean, really, this view does not quit. I just wish it had been nicer out so I could have posted up on the deck and stared at it all day.
Instead, we warmed up with bowls of lobster bisque and a burrata cheese plate and looked longingly out the window.

Ashton, too, was really taken by the view. As usual, we only visited wineries that were dog friendly to support our ridiculous obsession with our little man.
We were torn over whether to hit up one more spot, or head on home, but when we saw how close we were to Twin Oaks Tavern Winery, we couldn’t resist.
The tasting here didn’t blow us away, but the atmosphere did. All ladies received a complimentary Valentine with purchase of a tasting, and we sipped while listening to live music coming from the nearby dining room.
Twin Oaks Tavern dates back to the 1900s when folks from the nearby cities would take a train out to the Blue Ridge Mountains to relax and take in the cooler air and gorgeous views.
Even on the coldest of days, Virginia Wine Country has so much to offer. Each winery has a different vibe and something unique to see, taste or experience. I may be counting down the days until warmer weather, but I’m also grateful to have such a beautiful area at my disposal to distract myself from winter’s doldrums.