#FrayLife presents a mini-weekend getaway date guide in Northern Virginia countryside.  

Whether you spend it with a significant other or a group of friends, read on for tips and suggestions that will make a fun and unforgettable weekend.  

Getting around

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t drink and drive. Uber and Lyft rides are not easy to come by out here. Instead you should book a ride with Rita at The Lifters for the day. Rita is a hoot and knows everything about the area, what wineries to hit at off-peak hours, and will even let you bring your dog along for the ride.  

Lodging and Breakfast

Frankly after an entire day of drinking you will want absolutely nothing to do with packing up and heading home the same evening. Opt for a room at Briar Patch Bed & Breakfast (rooms starting at only $95/night). Start the day with a hearty and delicious breakfast before getting picked up for your winery tour. In addition to providing breakfast and a place to sleep, Briar Patch has a hot tub, pool, snacks all day, and is dog-friendly (they leave snacks out for the pupper, too!).

Winery and Brewery options

There are literally hundreds of wineries in the state of Virginia to choose from. If you hitch a ride with Rita and aren’t sure where to go, she is a human encyclopedia of recommendations and insider knowledge. Below are a selection of wineries and breweries in the Fauquier and Loudoun areas to explore.

Aspen Dale Winery at the Barn

Aspen Dale Winery is an intimate local favorite in Delaplane. Their tasting room is inside of a historic 200-year-old barn. You can opt to do a tasting that is paired with samples of their own artisan meats and cheeses, or bring your own.

#FrayLife Tip: Take a stroll on the barn grounds and make friends with the miniature horses, chickens, and goats!

Barrel Oak Winery and Brewery

Barrel Oak is a favorite in the area. The spacious patio and sprawling lawn offer plenty of sun and gorgeous views of Virginia wine country in the summertime. During the colder months there is ample cozy seating inside by a roaring fireplace.

#FrayLife Tip: BYO-snacks if you want to save some green. People tend to come here fully stocked on food to camp out for the day and opt to spend their money on a bottles of wine, beer, or pitchers of sangria instead.

Mt. Defiance Cidery and Distillery

If you are sick of wine and beer, opt for a stop here for hard cider or spirit tastings. The distillery location in downtown Middleburg offers flights of mini-cocktails. On a picturesque hilltop just on the edge of town is the cider barn where you can lounge in a rocking chair and enjoy cider tastings and noshes. They often have food trucks on weekends.

50 West Vineyards

A popular winery that also happens to be walking distance from Briar Patch B&B is 50 West.  The farm vineyard on Route 50 sits on a high bluff overlooking fantastic views of Bull Run Mountain range. They are one of Virginia’s larger vineyards with grapes grown on five farms in NoVa in addition to 50 West.

#FrayLife Tip: BYO snacks and boardgames.

Dinner

When you’re ready for a proper meal with high-end comfort food options, try the Red Fox Inn & Tavern in Middleburg. The building has been around since 1728 and has maintained its historic atmosphere complete with stone fireplaces and hand-hewn ceiling beams. The menu is on the pricey side but you do get what you pay for here.

Wrap it up

After a hearty, high-quality intimate dinner, head back and crash at your B&B.It’s been a long day and you deserve it! A fabulous and greasy hangover breakfast will be waiting for you in the morning before your departure back to real life.

Didn’t see your favorite winery to hit up with your significant other? Leave a comment below or tag us with #FrayLife the next time you go so we can add it to our list!

Need more date ideas? Check out these 5 budget friendly date options!

View More Articles By Anna Jacoby