The first day of the prettiest season is FINALLY here! It’s time to break out the boots, scarves and all the other fall traditions. My favorite thing about fall is pumpkin carving, apple pie and hot cocoa after any long day. Autumn is also the time when some of my favorite events happen in Loudoun County! Whether you like shopping, dining, harvest season at...
By Jordan Harris In Loudoun, the winemaking community is truly that, a community. Below is an excerpt from Tarara Winery’s winemaker Jordan Harris about the harvest season and what it’s like as winemaker preparing for harvest and making the next best vintage of Loudoun wine. For about 6 weeks in September and October, there is a team of people that go missing from each winery....
From vineyard and farm-to-table picnics to a cocktail pairing dinner and parties at historic estates, Epicurience Virginia has something for everyone during Labor Day weekend. Loudoun’s wineries, restaurants and attractions have created a series of fantastic events that highlight Virginia’s growing culinary and wine scene. Below is a list of other events we invite you to attend this year! Epicurience Virginia Opening Night Reception-...
The craft beer movement is hopping in the heart of DC’s Wine Country and there is no better time than now to explore our breweries! August is Virginia Craft Beer Month and Loudoun ranks among some of the top brewery destinations in the state. With close to a dozen breweries already open, brewmasters experimenting with new flavors and tap takeovers becoming a regular...
Escape to Loudoun County, the East Coast’s premier wine region, this Labor Day weekend for the second annual Epicurience Virginia- a one-of-a-kind edible showcase that brings Virginia’s award-winning wines and farm-to-table cuisine to the grounds of historic Morven Park. Epicurience Virginia, in partnership with SAVEUR Magazine, takes place Aug. 29-Sept 1 and not only celebrates Virginia’s rich culinary scene, but connects attendees...
While the official start of summer isn’t for another couple weeks, the season of sunshine has already arrived here in Loudoun County. Food festivals, outdoor wine tastings, cycling adventures, concerts and all kinds of other fun-filled diversions are underway. Visitors and locals alike are eager to make the most of vacation days and sunny skies. The next few months are full of seasonal events...
Summer has arrived! June is Great Outdoors Month and a time when Virginia celebrates its natural wonders and encourages people to get active and explore this beautiful state. From rock climbing and kayaking to zipline tours and biking trails, there is something for every outdoor enthusiast in DC’s Wine Country. Below are just a few of the ways to explore our lush vineyards, waterways...
Planning a trip to DC’s Wine Country is even easier with the launch of our new website! Inspired by Pinterest, VisitLoudoun.org uses dynamic images, event listings, videos and enhanced features that make this a one-stop shop for visitors.The feature pods can also be updated continuously, allowing Visit Loudoun to always provide fresh, new content for you! Other new features include: • Themed itineraries that...
June is right around the corner. And before you know it, Labor Day will be here. Ensure your summer ends on a high note and secure your Early Bird Tickets to Epicurience Virginia today. We can only fit so many foodies into Morven Park, so claim your spot ASAP. For just a few more days, you can purchase discounted early-bird tickets for $65 each....
World famous for our rich equestrian heritage, Loudoun County is also home to the nation’s oldest horse show – the annual Upperville Colt & Horse Show. An ode to tradition and history, the show is a bucket list item for any equine enthusiast and well worth a trip. It has also been voted the Virginia Horse Shows’ Association Horse Show of the Year and...
Memorial Day is just around the corner and while it has become known as the official kick off to summer, it is also a time to honor the brave men and women who lost their lives serving their country. This weekend, we invite you to both honor our fallen soldiers and celebrate the start of summer in DC’s Wine Country! On May 24 &...
Loudoun may be known as DC’s Wine Country but it is also steeped in history and home to numerous sites and villages that preserve America’s heritage and give both visitors and residents alike a glimpse into our past. This month, we invite you to explore everything from our circa 1728 inn and tavern to stately mansions and historic towns as part of Preservation Month....
Your mom is pretty incredible. She birthed you, she raised you, she put up with your temper tantrums — doesn’t she deserve some special attention? Next Sunday is the occasion when we honor those special ladies, so you’ve got exactly six days to plan something amazing for the moms in your life, be it your mother or the mother of your children. Any day...
Growing up in Virginia I have strong early memories of my grandmother’s gardens and the foods she would serve from them. The warm, fragrant tomatoes and cantaloupes simply sliced and served with a dash of salt. Buttered corn on the cob, bowls of seasoned beans, and cobblers made with fruit from her orchard. Today I have my own garden but I’m too impatient for...
Everyone loves an epic experience. When wine and food are involved, well, that’s just the icing on the cake. And when we’re talking epic wine and food experiences in Virginia, there’s really only one: Epicurience Virginia – Loudoun County’s totally unique annual food and wine festival held in gorgeous Morven Park. This year, Epicurience Virginia runs from August 29th through September 1st, and while...
Each spring season Loudoun County opens its doors to offer visitors behind the scenes tours through Loudoun’s gardens, stables, farms, B&Bs, and more. These self-guided tours travel through Loudoun’s scenic countryside in the peak of the spring season to explore a variety of properties – many not normally open to the public. From vineyards to gardens, historic sites to stables, these events are your...
Just because you’re no longer an Easter Bunny believer doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this Sunday’s celebration. And while you may no longer wake up to your own Easter basket filled with a month’s worth of sugary treats, adults can indulge as well with a traditional holiday feast. Here in Loudoun County, Virginia, lots of establishments are hosting Easter brunches and dinners appropriate for...
Do you have a restaurant that you love so much that you’ll drive an hour or more just to dine there? How about a dish that was so amazing that you consider it a life changing experience? If so, then we want to hear from you! Loudoun’s Destination Restaurant Program is accepting nominations for new Loudoun restaurants to accept into the program. These are...
Drinks are as seasonal as food. In the winter it’s all about warming up with a mug of hot chocolate or glass of a big red wine. Once this warm spring weather hits though and you find yourself enjoying more time outdoors, there’s no better accompaniment than ice tea, lemonade, or a cold beer. And with an emerging craft brewery scene rapidly growing in...
I’m one of those people who embrace the idea of hibernation in winter. And while hiding from the cold under piles of blankets sipping mug after mug of hot chocolate is cozy and warm, it certainly doesn’t help my state of physical fitness. By the time spring rolls around, I just want to be outside – breathing in the fresh air, soaking up the...
Finally. Spring has officially arrived. The days are growing longer and warmer, the ground is thawing and filling the air with a warm, sweet scent, and the first signs of new growth are making an appearance. It’s time to brush away winter – from your house to your wardrobe to your spirit. While spring is still new, make some plans to enjoy this time...
In honor of Throwback Thursday, we pulled some trivia tidbits out of the vault. We’re betting there’s lots of stuff you didn’t know about Loudoun County — from famous local residents to filming locales, so check out some of the cultural clues below. Legendary authors F. Scott Fitzgerald and Thomas Wolfe both stayed at Welbourne Manor in their heyday: the 1930s. Later, both published...
Here in Virginia we’re wrapping up winter by celebrating two things we could all use after this frigid season – food and wine. Throughout the month of March, Virginia wineries, restaurants, and retailers are participating in Love by the Glass: Virginia Wine and Dine Month by hosting special food and wine events, pairings, classes, and more. Thirty nine of Virginia’s 248 wineries are located...
Break out the shamrocks and corned beef — St. Patrick’s Day is almost upon us. And whether you’re Irish by birth or just an honorary Irishman (or woman) for the day, everyone’s favorite green-hued holiday is an excellent excuse to celebrate. If you’re wondering what to do to honor the special occasion, Loudoun County has plenty of St. Patrick’s Day event options, from traditional...
It’s Monday morning and here comes that question you hear every week from friends and colleagues – “How was your weekend?” After weeks of frigid temperatures and snowpocalypses keeping much of the nation indoors, for me, it’s become a dreaded question. My answer has been the same for weeks on end – “Not much” or some similar answer involving TV marathons, comfort food, and...
Planning a wedding can be seriously stressful. Choosing a venue, picking the right vendors, making a guest list that doesn’t insult your extended family – we’re exhausted just thinking about it! So why not leave it up to the pros? Loudoun’s wedding experts are here to help you nail down the details and make sure your big day goes off without a hitch. And...
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. And for some of you who err on the side of procrastination, that might be inducing a little bit of panic. You have less than two days to find the perfect gift. But don’t worry. Even if you’ve put off shopping for your special someone until the very last minute (i.e., now!), Loudoun County has plenty of options...
You know that old saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”? Well, the saying may be outdated but the sentiment rings true. And not just for men. Food is love. Whether it’s a warm home cooked meal made by mom or a special night out at your favorite restaurant, we find not just comfort in food but we show others...