Set in an idyllic mountaintop setting in Virginia’s prominent Loudoun County wine region, Twin Oaks Tavern Winery delights with high quality wines, a riveting history, and the backdrop of the Shenandoah Valley in the distance.

I recently met with winery owner Donna Evers to tour the property and taste their wines – here’s how it went.

Donna started by telling me about the history of the home on the property. The home had once been Twin Oaks Tavern – which despite its name did not serve alcohol – a retreat for Washingtonians who would escape the summer heat by heading out to Bluemont, in the Virginia countryside. Bluemont’s location on a mountain makes it 5-10 degrees cooler, which is ideal for beating the summer heat – and growing grapes.

She and her husband bought the home in 1997 after it had been badly ruined by a fire and got started on the process of restoring it. It basically had to be taken down to the studs – but a year’s work on the home brought it back to life. They initially bought the home to flip and sell it – but loved it so much, and saw a vision for a winery so clearly, that they kept it!

Today the winery is owned by Donna, and her grandson, Clay McFarren – who got married on the property – helps manage it.

In the basement of her home (and a crush pad outside) is where all the wine production happens – grape crushing, purification, barreling, and bottling. Twin Oaks Tavern Winery is truly a home-run business!

Next Donna and I went down into the grape vines. The property’s situation at a high elevation is ideal for growing grapes, as they are in a direct path of sunlight during the day but at a cooler hilltop temperature at night.

From the vineyard, you can look up at the tasting room, party room, and newly enlarged deck.

As we wound our way up the hill, I could see why the winery was such a wonderful setting to relax and take in the scenery. With a picnic table, gazebo, and deck, it’s a fitting place for a day out.

The tasting room was our next stop – and boy, was there no shortage of options for any and every wine palette. Twin Oaks Tavern Winery has an extensive wine list – with over 10 wines available including everything from wine chillers, white and red wines, as well as peach and raspberry wine (yes, this wine-o was in heaven!).

And while the winery does serve a light fare menu of cheese, crackers, sandwiches, and a few other nibbles, you are also welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy either inside or outside the tasting room.

On weekends the winery hosts live musicians, which was a fabulous addition to the view and wine tasting experience.

Full wine tastings, white mini tastings, red mini tastings, and fancy fruits tastings are available, or you can just opt for a glass or bottle (or case!) of any of the wines. I loved that so many options of how taste the wines were available, as you could return but have a different tasting experience each time.

Since it was a warm day outside, I opted for a glass of the refreshingly fragrant and creamy 2014 Chardonnay and then set out for the deck to relax with views of the Shenandoah Valley in the distance.

Have you been to Twin Oaks Tavern Winery? What’s your favorite winery?

More Information

• Location: 18035 Raven Rocks Rd, Bluemont, Virginia 20135
• Website: twinoakstavernwinery.com
• Hours: The winery is open 12-7PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and 12-5PM on Thursday and Monday year round

Thank you to Donna Evers of Twin Oaks Tavern Winery for my tour of the property and wine tasting. All opinions, as always, are my own.