This weekend trip will fulfill all your boozy dreams
Known for its wineries, farm-to-table cuisine, and top-notch equestrian facilities, Loudoun County, Va.—known as Washington D.C.’s wine country—is the perfect blend of upscale venues and winding country roads. Take a detour, stay a while and relax. Here’s your guide:
WHERE TO DRINK
When it comes to fun, Loudoun County’s 20 craft breweries and 40 wineries—the most of any county in Virginia—are a safe bet. Lost Rhino Brewing Company is just a 15-minute drive from Washington Dulles International Airport and features limited-release batches, seasonal brews and collaboration brews. Try the Native Son ale, made entirely with Virginia products.
Then stop by Adroit Theory Brewing Company in Purcellville, which focuses on small batches and beers aged in barrels from the nearby Catoctin Creek Distillery.
The area’s wineries are grouped in driving clusters, making it easier to hit multiple spots in one trip. Don’t want to drive yourself? Choose from one of the many scenic wine tours offered via bicycle, limousine, bus, or sedan.
Stone Tower Winery, located in the Harmony Cluster in Leesburg, is one of the largest wineries in the area and plans to open a new facility this fall with expanded bars and venues for intimate, private tastings. This vineyard has extensive outdoor space with unobstructed views of rolling hills.
The Waterford Cluster includes Sunset Hills Vineyard, a winery located on a historic farm that’s known for its award-winning wines. The tasting room is inside a restored 141-year-old Amish barn, and the whole facility is powered by 245 solar panels.
Sunset Hills Vineyard
Doukenie Winery, in the Loudoun Heights Cluster, is in the middle of a 500-acre working farm. At the tasting room, ask if the (unadvertised) baklava is available. It’s the perfect complement to Hope’s Legacy Raspberry dessert wine.
WHERE TO EAT
If your tastes run the gamut, you’re in luck: Loudon County’s dining options range from farm delis to five-course meals paired with local wines.
It doesn’t get fresher than ingredients sourced from a working farm behind the market storefront. That’s the case for Stoneybrook Farm in Hillsboro, where a group of farmers transformed a market stand into a brick-and-mortar cottage shop and deli. Opt for a seat outside overlooking the adjacent farm—a clucking visitor may even stop by.
In nearby Leesburg’s charming and walkable downtown, Lightfoot Restaurant occupies the former People’s National Bank. The upscale spot has kept many of the original fixtures, such as a vault door in the bar area.
Nearby is The Wine Kitchen, a wine bar and restaurant that pairs hard-to-find wines with local flavor. Start with the slow-cooked pork belly with braised cabbage, beer fondue and an apple salad, then order a larger plate like the pan-roasted duck breast with a sunny-side-up farm egg, beet puree, buttered celery root, grapes and almonds.
For a luxurious night out, make reservations at Harrimans Virginia Piedmont Grill, located in the Salamander Resort in Middleburg. The round dining room gives guests impressive views of the great lawn, horse stables, and mountains. Meanwhile, the pared-down menu offers creative interpretations like the orange cauliflower (prepared with a ginger orange glaze and a candied orange peel), as well as culinary classics, such as filet mignon.
WHERE TO STAY
For a retreat all on its own, book a room at the Salamander Resort and Spa, situated on a 340-acre estate with a rich equestrian heritage. All guest rooms feature subtle equestrian details, and are designed to resemble CEO Sheila Johnson’s home.
Consider the Grand Prix Suite—at 1,091 square-feet, this dwelling features a private stone balcony with outdoor seating, a fireplace, a separate balcony in the bedroom, and a large bathroom with a separate tub perfect for relaxing.
WHERE TO REJUVENATE
There’s no better place to take it slow and relax than the Salamander Resort and Spa. Check out yoga in the barn or—for more adventurous types—yoga on horseback. Sign up for a cooking course, or simply buy a s’mores kit for two and head to the fire pits on the great lawn.
For the ultimate indulgence, schedule a day in Salamander’s spa. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment to take advantage of the amenities, such as aroma-infused steam rooms, heated tepidarium loungers, and an outdoor pool with cabanas and cocktails.
Photos: Courtesy of Visit Loudoun, Stone Tower Winery, Lost Rhino Brewing Company, jeffreygreenberg@aol.com, and Salamander Resort and Spa.
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This story was originally published October 27, 2016 at 8:17 AM with the headline "This weekend trip will fulfill all your boozy dreams."