A Wine and Spa Weekend In Charlottesville, Virginia

If you are driving, then I recommend you leave early enough to fit in two or three wineries before checking into your hotel. Our ultimate destination was Keswick Hall, a spa resort and golf club, so our first stop was one of Charlottesville's newest wineries, Merrie Mill Farm. We arrived here mid-day and enjoyed the eclectic ambiance and roaring fireplace. With a large indoor tasting room, we did not have a reservation and easily found a spot to relax and enjoy a charcuterie board as well as a few other appetizers. The food was outstanding and the wine was delicious. I highly recommend getting a flight to either share or enjoy yourself so that you can sample the variety of wine they offer. It is located in a beautiful setting amidst picturesque countryside. Plus, in warmer months, the winery offers a unique experience for wine enthusiasts, as they can stroll through the vineyards, learn about the winemaking process, and savor a variety of award-winning wines. However, it was much too cold when we were there to do this, so we stayed cozied up by the fireplace. However, if you do choose to sit outside and brave the cold, there are fire pits placed around for your comfort.

After a couple of hours, we headed to our next destination, the ever-popular, Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards. I have been to this winery before and it rivals what you might see in the hills of Napa Valley. I strongly urge anyone to make a reservation because of this winery's popularity, especially amongst the younger generation. This is a farm-to-table experience, so the food is off the charts amazing as is the wine. In fact, they have produced some award-winning wines over the many years they have been in business. Everything on the menu (and it's an extensive one) pairs beautifully with the wines they have to offer and the cozy, casually elegant tasting room evokes the perfect ambiance for a friend group, date day/afternoon or romantic special occasion.

Around dusk, we arrived at our resort, Keswick Hall, an absolutely stellar five-star luxury property that had undergone a total renovation a few years prior to our stay. Our bedrooms were plush, sophisticated and contemporary, and the view of the golf course off of my veranda looked like something out of a European estate. Everything was meticulously maintained, and our favorite areas of the hotel were the library/billiards room and the bar area off of the heated pool. Yes! the pool is heated throughout the winter for anyone who would like to take the plunge.

Highly recommend eating dinner at their on-site Jean Georges restaurant called Marigold. Only a few steps from the main lobby, this exquisite restaurant boasts some of the best cuisine in the area. Highly recommend the burrata, black angus cheeseburger and black truffle pizza.

If you have time the next day, the holistic spa is supposed to be phenomenal with a myriad of services available. We had brunch plans later that day so we did not have time to get a treatment this time around, unfortunately. Just means we have to go back!

As we made our way back home we stopped at Castle Hill Cidery to try a different type of fermented drink popular for this region. We sat inside along the large picture windows and enjoyed the serene views of the countryside.

Then it was onto brunch at Vintage Restaurant located inside the historic estate - Inn at Willow Grove. This inn is a wonderful spot for a romantic getaway and even has its own spa on the property. There are little cottages for the guests to stay in (my parents had stayed here) and the restaurant is known for its specialty brunch cocktails and wonderful food. With walls made of the original old brick, stained glass windows, and wooden beams lining the ceiling, it's no wonder we lingered here for hours. My favorite cocktails were the "Chilly Vanilly" and "A Rose by any Name."