Claire & Joshua
Things To Do
Ace Biscuit & Barbecue
Great breakfast or lunch option— obv we recommend something with a biscuit!
Albemarle CiderWorks
Matt & Claire’s favorite. Old English style cider with an orchard surrounding the tasting room. Directly off the highway if coming from Danville
Barbeque Exchange
Our wedding dinner will be catered from this restaurant, so if you don’t want double BBQ then skip for this visit! The BBQ is fantastic and we will be having pork and brisket so if you want to try any of their other offerings we highly recommend!
Barboursville Vineyards
Home of the award winning “Octagon” & top awarded winery in Virginia. Multitude of wines to try ranging on the dryer side— also has a restaurant and historic rooms on the property. One of the most “bang for your buck” tastings
Beer Run
Craft beer store/bar & restaurant with American bar food
Blenheim Vineyards
Dave Matthews winery. Close to Trump & Jefferson
Blue Mountain Brewery
Their bratwurst pizza is our favorite & Josh enjoys “Full Nelson Fridays!” He says they have the best beer flight in the area. It should be noted it is more of a sit down option/restaurant that makes their own beer than a brewery. Offers both indoor & outdoor seating
Bodo's Bagels
Quick & perfect for takeout. Locals & UVA student favorite!
Bold Rock Nellysford Cidery
Claire’s favorite drink (other than wine) & they are dog friendly! “Even if you don’t think you like ciders, go because you’ll probably love theirs.” -Josh
Brent Manor Vineyards
A smaller boutique winery specializing in Portuguese wines. A great low key option with fantastic views, service and great wine!
Carter Mountain Orchard and Country Store
Pick apples, eat cider donuts & drink a bold rock. A fall favorite in Cville!
Crabtree Falls
Quick & easy hike with views of the highest falls east of the Mississippi. Ollie even enjoyed the hike with us as a puppy!
Crush Pad Wines
Wine bar with cheese plates, pizza & pasta
Devils Backbone Basecamp Brewpub
“F***ing awesome” huge selection of beer (German and Austrian styles). One of the coolest venues around with a great tasting room & outdoor space. Amazing views of the mountains with beer & liquor options + food on site. Typically is one of the more crowded places, but highly recommended. Collectively Josh’s favorite beer in the area
Gabriele Rausse Winery
Our favorite hidden gem (closed on Saturdays). You’ll come back for the bread & oil (and the wine of course)!!
Humpback Rock
A hike we haven’t done, but a popular one.
Ivy Inn Restaurant
Classic Charlottesville restaurant serving high end food in a rustic setting.
Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint Cville
A must!! Open late for all the fun! Don’t forget to try the— Greg Brady (Claire’s go-to) Sunday’s special: Showalter (Josh’s pick)
Jefferson Vineyards
Thomas Jefferson’s wine estate. A good selection of wine ranging from sweet to dry, good quality wines. Outdoor seating option
Keswick Winery
Wines favor the dry side with a smaller tasting room and outdoor seating available
King Family Vineyards
Beautiful family & dog friendly winery in Crozet. They are famous for their Crosé & at certain times of the year have live polo. “The most post card worthy winery in Virginia” -Josh
Lampo Neapolitan Pizzeria
Authentic Neapolitan style pizza to go. Ordering early and ahead is strongly recommended, becuase they will run out. A must!!
The Local
Restaurant with great modern American style food and drink selection. Reservations preferred.
Michael Shaps Wineworks
Most esteemed wine maker in Virginia. It’s a winery to go enjoy great wine, the original tasting room is not much of one for a great view or venue, but some of the best wines in the region. Recently (July) took over previous location of Thatch (same property). He also has a tasting room in Downtown Charlottesville that is open later-- Wineworks Extended.
Monticello
Iconic Virginia historic site, Thomas Jefferson’s home. (Claire’s fourth grade field trip)
Mount Ida Tasting Room & Taphouse
One of the most picturesque wineries and views that you will experience. Also one of the few venues that has wine and beer, so a great option for those who want both options. Food available as well
Oakhart Social
American food in a modern setting
Old Rag Parking (Ranger Station)
A hike only for the individuals ready to spend most of the day on a challenging trail. There’s a fire road that is a bit shorter and easier. The regular path is almost 10 miles but the views are so worth it— highly recommend. Josh did this hike twice within the matter of a month or so in the spring of 2021 & enjoyed it with friends in pharmacy school. “Not recommended for those with heart issues or those not in moderate-good physical condition.” -Josh
Paulie's Pig Out
Josh & Claire’s favorite “hole-in-the-wall” BBQ in Afton. You never know when they may have a sign up saying “gone fishing” (this happened to us one trip & Josh was quite disappointed)! “Just go.” -Josh
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
A must go to winery, if not for the wine for the breathtaking views & hydrangea lined path leading up to the iconic barn. Also has an award winning restaurant.
Pro Re Nata
Really cool brewery and venue, very good beer as well & has a pharmacist theme so obviously we are big fans. Fun fact: Founder is not in fact a pharmacist, but a dentist. “PRN” is a pharmacy sig for “as needed” and commonly written as short hand on prescriptions!
Skyline drive
Nationally renowned drive through Shenandoah National Park. Drive along here for the best fall views!
Starr Hill Brewery
One of the most well know breweries in Virginia, very good beer
Tavola
Classic Italian fare, reservations usually needed
Trump Winery
Our wedding venue :) Make sure to go check out the new tasting room at the Grand Hall!! Food offered here & a selection of preset tastings.
University of Virginia
Walk around this gorgeous campus & go check out The iconic Lawn! Go Hoos!!
Veritas Vineyards and Winery
Very fun atmosphere & gorgeous Afton views. QR code guided flight. Best winery for “non-wine drinkers,” will be crowded.
Wintergreen Resort
Claire grew up going on an annual ski trip here as a child & has continued this with Josh! Wintergreen resort has much more than just snow filled slopes- Golf, spa & lodging with a mountain view!
Well Hung Vineyard
We enjoyed their sparkling (tried it first in our quarterly Virginia Wine Club shipment). Located next to Barbecue Exchange.