Nestled In Virginia's Majestic Blue Ridge Mountains Is A Lively College Town With A Vibrant Wine Scene

Hidden within the pockets of the Blue Ridge Mountains are some of Virginia's most interesting towns. Following along The Blue Ridge Parkway, called "America's Favorite Drive" by some, will bring you to cute towns like Front Royal and bustling arts havens like Sperryville. There's also no shortage of funky college towns like Blacksburg if you're looking for somewhere with a more youthful energy. Yet, of all Virginia's college towns, Charlottesville is perhaps the most iconic. A lively college town brimming with history and a vibrant wine scene, Charlottesville is a perfect place to set up shop for a Virginia-based Blue Ridge Mountains adventure.

Founded in 1762 and prized as a tobacco-growing region, the fertile soils of Charlottesville drew the attention of prominent Americans, namely President Thomas Jefferson. Monticello, Jefferson's mansion, sits atop a high promontory overlooking the University of Virginia, a public college Jefferson helped found. This blend of history and culture has defined Charlottesville as a unique place to live and study.

As the home of the Charlottesville—Albemarle Airport (CHO), which offers nonstop flights from 5 other major airports, Charlottesville is a breeze to access. By car, it's a little over an hour away from Virginia's capital, Richmond, and two-and-a-half hours away from the national capital, Washington, D.C. Once you travel to this beautiful corner of north-central Virginia, you'll understand why Jefferson and so many others have chosen it as their home.

Unlike other college towns, Charlottesville is not built around its notable university. There are several neighborhoods and districts to explore. One of the best times of year to visit Charlottesville would be in late May and early June. With commencement over, the streets are much calmer and more relaxed. Check out restaurants like The Nook on East Main Street for a hearty breakfast and a great cup of coffee before you head out into the city for more exploring.

Charlottesville is also home to a thriving arts scene. Check out the Artisans Studio Tour in November, which takes visitors around to Charlottesville area craftspeople who specialize in painting, ceramics, woodworking, and jewelry making. Another location worth visiting is the Barn Swallow Gallery, a boutique store specializing in handcrafted Virginia goods. The Paramount Theater is another spot worth visiting for live performances, music, and classic movies.

Of course, no visit to Charlottesville would be complete without a trip to the aforementioned Monticello. Tour the amazing house that still holds many of Jefferson's personal artifacts from his years living on the property. The extensive flower and vegetable gardens and fruit orchard add tremendous natural beauty to the house. Onsite docents are available for tours and questions. You can explore at your leisure and gaze out from the courtyard across what happens to be one of the best wine regions on the east coast.

The Monticello Wine Trail is an established American Viticultural Area (AVA) that connects over 40 different vineyards, all within 25 miles of Charlottesville. This trail completes a vision Thomas Jefferson had for the wine-growing potential of the area. While it is one of the more under-the-radar wine regions in the U.S., the Monticello Wine Trail deserves the same hype as Napa.

Monticello itself is home to Jefferson Vineyards, which produce award-winning chardonnay, cabernet franc, and viognier. Other members of the trail include Hazy Mountain Vineyards, Afton Mountain Vineyards, Keswick Vineyards, and Barboursville Vineyards. All produce high-quality wines, which is why Wine Enthusiast named the Monticello Wine Trail the "Wine Region of the Year" in 2023.

It's no wonder that this area is considered the birthplace of American wine. There are few things better than sipping a great wine and gazing out at the surrounding Blue Ridge scenery. With Charlottesville as your base, you can venture out and take your time exploring the area wineries. Do some additional research beforehand and select a few whose offerings really interest you. That way you will get the most out of your visit instead of playing a guessing game.