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Candice B. said: "When you drive down that last leg of gravel road, you have to take it on faith that there will be a winery at the end. Hang in there - you'll get there! Mr. Del Fosse has a deft hand with wines. We either enjoyed or outright loved…" read more »
13 reviews for Afton Mountain Vineyards
13 reviews in English
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Review from Rory C.
Hampton, VA
2/10/2012
I cannot believe people are giving this place less than 5 stars! Maybe they visited the old tasting room, maybe they only tried the normal wine flight, maybe they have no taste.
My husband and I have spent a good amount of time in Napa and Sonoma, we love the wine country, but live in Virginia, so this is as close as we get without a 6 hour flight.
Afton and Veritas are by far our favorites in the area. They do reds well, which is really hard to find in VA. Especially their Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, and Festa Di Baccus.
If you want something light and easy drinking, their mountain rose, chilled on a hot day, is perfect! My husband and I like to finish our wine touring day there with a bottle, a baguette and some cheese on their back porch overlooking the estate. It's beautiful. -
Review from Andrew M.
5/10/2012
We went here after stopping in at Veritas (they're very close to one another). We found Afton Mountain to be very laid back and not too busy. The setting is lovely, on a small (man made?) lake with vineyards around the mountains just a little further off. The wines seem to be on par with other area wines. Definitely get the reserve tasting; it's much better quality than the standard tasting---we had both.... interesting to compare. There is a lovely patio outside for sitting and sipping after your tasting.
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Review from Nina B.
4/11/2011
The scenery leading up to this winery is quite spectacular, but I wish I could say the same about the wines.
Granted, my opinion is a little biased here as i came on a very gray day, and the place was really packed with people. So it was noisy, distracting, and hard to enjoy the tasting.
I'll take my own review with a grain of salt.Comment from Hunter S. of Afton Mountain Vineyards 5/2/2011
Hey Nina, Thanks for your review! It sure is a beautiful… More » -
Review from David R.
Reston, VA
Updated - 5/29/2011
Afton Mountain's new tasting room is stunning, and who knew there was a lake behind the vineyards? The wines are stellar, particularly the reds (they are one of the few Virginia wineries that has a pinot noir). And the sangiovese is just as good as I remembered it.
The tasting building has a Mediterranean meets Pacific Northwest zen quality to it, and there is ample seating outside (both covered and uncovered). Not ready for five stars yet, as the prices have gone up (they had to pay for that new tasting room somehow). But Afton Mountain is most definitely a must-see in the Waynesboro/Staunton "microplex."Listed in: Virginia Wineries
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/9/2009
Sangiovese. Sangiovese. Sangiovese.
Best in the state! A little bummed that they were out of… Read more »
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Review from Jen L.
7/3/2011
Beautiful Vineyard and tasting room! Despite the display of the medals on their bottles, I didn't care too much for them.
I wasn't too impressed with any of them here, but that is mostly because I am not a fan of wines with a strong oak flavor, which is what most of the wines here had. Out of this tasting, my favorite was a Chardonnay that was aged in steel. But still not good enough for me to buy some.
You'll be looking at $5 for a tasting flight which is waived if you end up purchasing a few bottles.
Worth coming back for at least the view, but not so much for the wine. -
Review from Megan M.
Richmond, VA
11/21/2010
If you haven't been here in a few years, go back. As Tripp W. noted, new owners took over around 2 years ago, and they have totally changed the wine and built a beautiful new tasting room.
I've been twice since then and have been very impressed both times. The first time I went, I did a regular tasting and the boyfriend got the reserve and we split them both. This time, we remembered that we liked the reserve better, so we just both did that. The owner was pouring, though, and he let us sneak in a taste or two of the regulars if we were particularly interested in them.
I like that Afton has a full range of quality red and white wines including Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, etc. I really didn't think there was a bad one in the bunch. Usually when a place has a variety this wide to choose from, some kind of suck or all are kind of mediocre. I definitely had favorites, namely the Petit Verdot and the Festa di Bacoo, but I wouldn't be sad to get any at a restaurant.
The tasting room was warm, cozy and a nice place to hang on a cool Fall day. Definitely worth hanging at with a glass of wine.Listed in: Virginia Wine
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Review from Kaitlin E.
Fairfax, VA
11/1/2011
The wine is a good but a little too pricey. We went for a tasting but left without purchasing any. The sights are beautiful there and they have a nice outside seating area.
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Review from Logan F.
Washington, DC
11/4/2011
The view from this winery justifies the drive up the mountain to find it.
That there's wine at the end of such an adventure is even better!
Different people will enjoy different wines and we all have our individual tastes. I'll just say that as a big fan of whites I was very pleased with their Gewurztraminer, which was on the more dry side of Gewurztraminers I've had.
Go for the view, stay for the wine. -
Review from liz s.
6/14/2009
Afton was the second of ten wineries during our Memorial Day weekend wine tour. Scenery so-so, tasting room & wines okay. Tasting guide was helpful and sincere.
Not a very welcoming entrance, as compared to other local wineries which have more curb appeal. It's true that you're there for the wine and not a pretty walk-up but it's all part of the experience for me.
We ended up buying four bottles and staying for a glass with salami and bread purchased there. Pleasant overall.Comment from Hunter S. of Afton Mountain Vineyards 8/11/2011
Thanks for your review, Liz! We are in a totally new setting… More » -
Review from helen y.
Alexandria, VA
3/26/2010
2008 Festa di Bacco. Try it.
They offer reserve tastings at a great price. It was so good.
Charming (family-owned) winery. Breath of fresh air after a morning of wine tasting in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
I would definitely return for another visit. -
Review from K C.
Waldorf, MD
7/21/2011 1 photo
Gorgeous grounds and a delightful patio to enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting. Perhaps not quite as good as some if the other wineries in the area but worth a visit. I particularly like their Riesling.
Comment from Hunter S. of Afton Mountain Vineyards 8/11/2011
Thanks for your pleasant review! More » -
Review from Tripp W.
Wow, they have really upgraded this place since the last time I was there about 3 years ago. To get to AMV you travel down a 1.5 mile curvy one lane road surrounded by great scenery. Once you turn onto their main drive, you pass the old tasting room on the right and keep going another block to the new one.
It's a beautiful building with a covered wrap around porch and several areas that look like they were made for wedding ceremonies (what a wonderful backdrop for pictures!). The tasting room inside is nicely decorated with a separate seating area and fireplace. The wine tasting itself, is merely okay. They charge $5 per person for six pours from one of two wine lists (standard or reserve). We went with the reserve selections because it had a sparkling and ice wine to try. Each of the wines were good (nothing outstanding), but the pours were super small. It was really hard to get a good idea of the complexity of flavors with a couple drops. After finishing up the tasting, we grabbed a glass of wine ($8 each for the reserves) and sat out on the back patio. This is the million dollar reason for coming here as the view is spectacular. Mountain ranges all around you and a small lake directly in front. I can't imagine a better way to enjoy some vino.
4 stars. Minus one for stingy tasting pours. -
Review from Mandi B.
Woodbridge, VA
1/11/2010
Of all the wineries I've been to in Virginia, (and I've been to a lot - having lived in the valley for a few years, there wasn't much else to do) this one is my favorite. Afton Mountain has truly delicious wine. Best Riesling I've ever had, not too sweet and not too dry. Delicious Cabernet Sauvignon (my favorite of their reds), and I am thankful to Afton for turning me on to Gewurztraminer, which I rarely see anywhere else. And their Mountain Rose (blush) is a definite crowd pleaser. Now I live a good 2 1/2 hours away from Afton, but that doesn't stop me from making the drive to restock. The location is great and it's a nice drive through the mountains - a hop, skip, and a jump from Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway. The building isn't the most extravagant (go to Veritas for that), but simple and cozy. And the staff are friendly and knowledgable. They also have some nice outdoor seating if you want to sit outside and look at the scenery while you sip a glass of wine. Makes for a nice, pleasant afternoon drive through the mountains in spring.
