As is my habit, I am writing this piece about two weeks too late.  However, in this case the wait changed my mood as the weather today on Monday, January 25th is balmy and the temperature hovers in the low 60’s… a great day for a day trip before this weekends expected snow storm hits.  Since it is in the middle of winter I thought that I would take the road less traveled and head to Virginia Wine Country.  I refer to “less traveled” because it is not spring or fall and fewer people are on the roads in the country.  Along the way I will mention some wineries that have special events for the Valentine weekend as well as some restaurants that are worth visiting.

As usual, my first destination is Middleburg.  The drive to Middleburg is mostly made up of two or three lane roads and usually out route 50, but once there, the rest of the travel is over winding, one lane country roads, through small towns and beautiful farms.  Once in Middleburg, if you are hungry or thirsty, the Hidden Horse Tavern or the French Hound are recommended stops.  Under new ownership, the Hidden Horse is serving great food and is a favorite of the locals.  The French Hound is another great place for a meal or a friendly libation (Old Town Crier, November 2009).  Leaving Middleburg and heading toward The Plains, you will pass through beautiful farms and some of Virginia’s best horse country.  You will pass by Boxwood Winery on your right, one of Virginia’s newest wineries and a little farther down the road you will find Piedmont Winery, one of Virginia’s oldest.  Boxwood is generally closed to the public but I am sure that Gerhard at Piedmont will be open all weekend serving his fine wines.  Continuing on into The Plains a stop at Forlano’s is always a treat.  Nick serves some of the best food in the state and is an informal gathering place for local folks.  

Leaving The Plains, head up John Marshal Highway (route 55) for the small town of Marshal.  Along the way you will come to the intersection at Zulla Road. Here you will find the Fauquier County Livestock Exchange.  Kevin runs the small restaurant here and it is truly like being home.  A fabulous place for lunch or dinner and especially breakfast.  Next-door is Tri-County feeds and Tri-County, Etc., which is also our business, profile this month.  If you haven’t done your Valentine shopping by now…this is the place.

Our next stop will be some of Virginia’s most popular and best wineries.  Staying on route 55 you will come to Barrel Oak Winery on your right.  Entering through the gate and climbing the short hill you will arrive at another of Virginia’s newest wineries and also one of its’ largest physically.  Owner Brian Roeder likes to entertain and it is evident by the sheer size of his tasting room.  It is also evident by the 2nd Annual Chocolate Loft extravaganza. On Valentine’s weekend Barrel Oak will be pairing their romantic sparkling wines with different food items at their chocolate fountain.  Leaving Barrel Oak and continuing on down route 55, which now parallels route 66, towards Delaplane, you will cross over the railroad tracks and be at Three Fox Vineyard on the left.  Owners Holli and John Toddhunter will be releasing their 2009 white wines on Valentine weekend.  Treat someone special that weekend, as the winery will be serving up chocolate cupcakes in a cozy and romantic atmosphere.  You can also checkout their Cabernet Franc, Alouette, which was just awarded a score of 87 by the Wine Enthusiast magazine.  Both of these wineries are situated on a hilltop and have beautiful views.

Leaving Three Fox Vineyards, you can continue on down Route 15 to Paris…Virginia that is.  The award winning Ashby Inn is located in Paris and caters to locals and travelers alike.  Taking a right out of Paris and heading back down Route 50 you will come to the Blackthorne Inn, and if you have any Irish in you, this is the place.  Whether it is for a lovely dinner or an overnight stay, both of these inns fit the bill.

Continuing on Route 50 towards Upperville you will arrive at the Hunter’s Head Tavern.  Fashioned after an old English tavern, there are no menus, just today’s fare written on a blackboard.  After making your choice, you tell the bartender who serves as the order taker, given a number, and the food will be brought to your table when it is ready.  It is a change from the ordinary and very good.

Leaving Upperville and heading towards Middleburg (we’ve come in a big circle), look for the sign for Purcellville.  The route number should be 609 and the road is a fabulous drive.  Through a few small towns and HUGE farms, route 609 empties into the town of Purcellville.  Purcellville is larger than I expected and is also home to Magnolia’s at the Mill.  You can read more about Magnolia’s in this months restaurant review.  Continue on through Purcellville towards Leesburg where you can find two more fine dining establishments… Tuscarora Mill and Lightfoot Restaurant.  Both of these restaurants are popular locally as well as destination restaurants.

The last stop on this day trip will be our own Fabbioli Vineyards.  Heading out of Leesburg north on Route 15, make a right at Limestone School Road.  Now you are really in the country winding along this narrow road.  Look for Fabbioli Vineyards on your left as the woods give way to open fields and a few houses.  Doug Fabbioli has been writing a “what’s the winemaker doing this month” sort of article for the past three years and it is a great contribution to our magazine.  Fabbioli Vineyards will be celebrating Valentine week Mardi Gras style, complete with the best gumbo ever.    

We’ve covered a lot of ground on this “day trip” and have recommended a bunch of good places to visit.  Even though it is winter, the traffic is less and the roads still need traveling.

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