Keswick Vineyards: Award-Winning Wines To Enjoy

Keswick Vineyards: History and Award-Winning Wines!

Picture courtesy of Keswick Vineyards

About 15 miles north of the Inn at Monticello, you'll find the award-winning winery Keswick Vineyards. It's an excellent day trip to take if you enjoy excellent wine and Virginia history. Or, if you just want to enjoy the beauty of the mountains. Keswick was once part of an estate that was a stopping point for British Colonel Banastre Tarleton, which was before his raid on Charlottesville June 4, 1781. It was also an encampment area for Confederate soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Wilderness in 1864. But today? Well, that's a happier story!

Keswick Vineyards Today

The vineyard was established in 2000 by Al and Cindy Schornberg and is a family owned and operated winery. It specializes in high-quality lines that are produced in small lots that showcase the ground and climate of the vineyard. As Al says, "I just wanted to be able to enjoy a really good wine that I made. There’s something very natural and satisfying about that." With their first vintage in 2002, they were awarded the Best White Wine in America award at the Atlanta International Wine Summit. Then in 2009, Keswick Vineyards was awarded the Virginia Governor's Cup for their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2016, they were awarded their second Virginia's Governor's Cup. This time for their 2014 Cabernet Franc Reserve. So, it looks like Al achieved his goal! The vineyard is also part of the applauded Monticello Wine Trail. You can enjoy their tasting room, which is adjacent to the winery. And, you can watch the harvest and winemaking activity while sipping excellent wine and enjoying beautiful mountain views. When it's warm, spend a relaxing afternoon either on the covered porch, or bring a picnic lunch and spread out on one of their outdoor tables in the courtyard. (There's also cornhole to play, if you like!) In the winter, Keswick Vineyards has infrared heaters that keep you warm, so don't let Old Man Winter keep you away.

Events at Keswick Vineyards

There are always a variety of events throughout the year. You'll find concerts with local musicians, local food vendors, charity and educational events, and much more. Get the full scoop here. A pet-friendly, family-friendly vineyard, the estate just recently added a fenced, off-leash dog park. Woof! So come and enjoy.   Make your reservations with the Inn at Monticello, and enjoy all that Charlottesville has to offer.