September 3, 2026

A Family-Friendly Guide to Virginia Wine Country

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A day in Virginia Wine Country can be about much more than the tasting room. A family-friendly winery can become the centerpiece of a full day, paired with a local event, time spent exploring nearby, dinner or even an overnight stay.

With fall approaching and Virginia Wine Month coming up in October, now is a great time to start planning a family day in Virginia Wine Country.

Find the Right Family-Friendly Winery

Every Virginia winery offers something a little different, and finding the right fit can make all the difference for a family outing. Some wineries offer plenty of outdoor space, while others have food on-site, lawn games, live music or seasonal events. A few details can help narrow down the options.

Keep an eye out for:

Room to spread out: Outdoor seating, lawns, patios and picnic areas offer plenty of space for an afternoon outside.
Food options: An on-site kitchen, food truck or snack menu can make it easy to settle in for a longer visit.
Events and activities: Live music, festivals and seasonal events can add something extra to the day.
More to explore nearby: Trails, historic sites, farms and Virginia towns can easily become another stop before or after the winery.

VirginiaWine.org offers plenty of tools to help with the planning, from finding child-friendly wineries and exploring Virginia’s wine regions to mapping out a day with nearby attractions.

Family-Friendly

Find Child-Friendly Wineries

Explore Virginia wineries that welcome families and find a destination that fits the day.

Explore Wineries → Dog-Friendly

Bring the Dog Around Richmond

Explore dog-friendly wineries across the Greater Richmond region with the Virginia Wine Unleashed tasting pass.

Explore the Trail → Explore Virginia

Choose a Wine Region

Discover Virginia’s wine regions and find the part of the Commonwealth that fits the trip.

Explore Regions → Build the Trip

Map Out the Day

Pair winery stops with nearby attractions and other places to explore along the way.

Plan an Itinerary →

See What’s Happening Along the Way

Sometimes an event can shape the whole day in Virginia Wine Country.

Wineries across Virginia host live music, festivals, food pop-ups, seasonal celebrations and other events throughout the year. The Virginia Wine Events Calendar is a great place to see what is happening across the Commonwealth and find an event worth building a day around.

Individual event listings include details on tickets, reservations and other requirements, making it easy to plan ahead.

Find Events

Make a Day of Virginia Wine Country

With a winery or event in mind, the rest of the day can take shape around it. Virginia’s wine regions offer plenty to experience beyond the tasting room.

Morning

Start Nearby

Breakfast and a morning spent exploring a local town, trail, park or historic site can make an easy start to the day.

Afternoon

Settle In at a Winery

A tasting, lunch or snacks and an afternoon event leave plenty of time to enjoy the winery without rushing to the next stop.

Evening

Stay for Dinner

Restaurants throughout Virginia Wine Country range from casual local spots to chef-driven dining, offering plenty of ways to continue exploring the region.

Stay Longer

Make a Weekend of It

Vineyard cottages, inns and other nearby lodging can turn a family day out into a weekend away, with more time to explore the surrounding area.

Stay & Dine

Plan Ahead for Virginia Wine Month

October brings Virginia Wine Month and one of the most exciting times of year to experience Virginia Wine Country.

Harvest is underway across the Commonwealth, fall begins to settle into the vineyards and winery calendars fill with events throughout the month. It is an ideal time to discover a new winery, attend a fall event or spend a weekend exploring another part of Virginia.

A family-friendly winery can be the destination or simply the starting point for a fall day in Virginia Wine Country.

Virginia Wine Month

Virginia Wine Country is meant to be enjoyed together. Gather the family, pick a place to explore and make the next day out one spent in Virginia Wine Country.