Last Updated on January 6, 2023 by Maggie McKneely

Looking for the best wineries near Shenandoah National Park? Every place on this list is within miles of the park, offers amazing views, and, of course, fantastic wine.

Best Wineries Near Shenandoah National Park

Do you like a little wine with your hiking excursions? Goodness knows I do. After a long day of trekking through the woods, there’s no better reward than sitting out on a patio with your favorite glass of vino.

If you’re a fellow wine-loving hiker, the area surrounding Shenandoah National Park is the perfect place to go on a road trip from DC. The park itself has over 200,000 acres of wilderness and 500 miles of hiking trails to keep all of us mountain climbers happy. And for that post-hike treat, just outside the park are some of Virginia’s best wineries.

But not all wineries are created equal. Fortunately for you, I drink a lot of wine and spend a lot of time at wineries, so I can tell you which ones to check out and which ones to skip. If you’re spending a day in the park, here are my favorite wineries that you should visit.

Best Wineries Near Shenandoah National Park

DuCard Vineyards

Of all the wineries on this list, DuCard is the one I go to most often. One reason for that is DuCard is just a few minutes from both Old Rag and the lower parking lot for White Oak Canyon, two of my favorite hikes in Shenandoah National Park. The winery and its vineyards are tucked into an idyllic hollow at the base of the mountains. It’s one of the most serene wineries near Shenandoah National Park, and in a place full of scenery, that’s saying something.

But DuCard also has a spate of award-winning wines made entirely from their own grapevines. For something crisp and refreshing, try their Viognier, ranked one of the best in the state. If you’re a red drinker, I highly recommend the Petite Verdot!

Tasting Room Info:

  • Address: 40 Gibson Hollow Ln, Etlan, VA 22719
  • Hours: Fri-Sun 11 AM-6 PM
  • Tasting prices: $10 per person
best wineries near Shenandoah National Park

View from DuCard Vineyards

Little Washington Winery

Little Washington Winery was named the best winery overall in Virginia in 2020, winemaker Carl Henrickson was named Best Winemaker in Virginia for 2020, AND their Meritage blend “George” (named for everyone’s favorite Virginian, George Washington), was recently rated the #1 red wine in the state. And yet, this small, boutique winery remains a hidden gem.

Located in the town of Little Washington, this winery is very unusual in that their tastings showcase wines from around the world, rather than just those from their own vineyards. They know their own wines rock, but they don’t mind showing off what the rest of the world has to offer. Little Washington Winery offers a cool opportunity to compare Virginia wines to other international varieties.

The parking lot has no room for tour buses and the tasting room is too small for crowds, so you’re guaranteed an intimate tasting experience here. And, if you’re not sold yet, the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains from their deck is superb. This is definitely one of the best wineries near Shenandoah National Park.

Tasting Room Info:

  • Address: 72 Christmas Tree Ln, Washington, VA 22747
  • Hours: Thurs-Mon 11 AM-5 PM
  • Tasting prices: Currently unavailable due to COVID, bottle sales only
Little Washington Winery

Little Washington Winery

Narmada Winery

Narmada Winery is one of Virginia’s wineries with an international twist, along with being one of the best wineries near Shenandoah National Park. Narmada is just 30 minutes from the park’s Thornton Gap entrance, perfect for those looking for a post-hike treat!

When Pandit and Sudha Patil arrived in Virginia from Mumbai, India 40 years ago, they dreamed of one day having their own vineyard. In 2009, Narmada opened its doors, and their dream became a reality. While they don’t produce “Indian wine,” they do use their knowledge of complex spices from their childhood in India to bring out notes and flavors from the grapes that other wineries may overlook. They also serve several Indian dishes in the tasting room that pair well with their wines.

Fun fact: the very first white wine I ever liked was Narmada’s “Mom,” a delightful Vidal Blanc that happens to be their most popular and award-winning wine. But none of the wines here fall flat, thanks to Sudha’s close attention to flavors. For an unusual spin on Virginia wine-making, be sure to check out Narmada.

Visitor Info:

  • Address:43 Narmada Ln, Amissville, VA 20106
  • Hours: Thurs-Mon 11 AM-6 PM
  • Tasting prices: A tasting of 6 wines is $10 per person or 16 wines for $30
Narmada Winery

Narmada Winery

Chester Gap Cellars

It was love at first sight my first time to Chester Gap Cellars. The tasting room is perched on a mountainside with unparalleled views of the valley near Front Royal, VA, just minutes from Shenandoah’s northern entrance.

The winery is tiny; they focus on producing a very small quantity of high-quality wines, and their dedication to that mission pays off. From their subtly sweet but refreshing Petit Manseng to rich and complex Vintner’s Red, everyone’s taste buds will find something to satisfy them at Chester Gap. And because the winery is so small and relatively unknown, you’re almost guaranteed to have the place to yourself, and your pick of patio seats to take in the spectacular views.

Visitor Info:

  • Address: 4615 Remount Rd, Front Royal, VA 22630
  • Hours: Fri-Sun 11 AM-6 PM
  • Tasting prices: $10 per person
Chester Gap Cellars

The view from Chester Gap Cellars

Early Mountain

Early Mountain is one of Virginia’s most renowned wineries and is conveniently located just 30 minutes from Shenandoah’s Swift Run Gap entrance.

The winery itself is stunning. Enjoy your sips inside the rustic-chic tasting room, voted #1 tasting room in the US in 2016 by USA Today. With its elegant wooden chandeliers, plush lounge chairs, and roaring central fireplace, you won’t want to leave. But if you want to keep enjoying the great outdoors after a day of hiking, you can sit out on the stone-tiled patio and take in the gorgeous Virginia countryside and nearby mountain ridges.

But location isn’t all that Early Mountain has to offer – they also have a wide range of award-winning wines made from their 55 acres of vineyards.

Early Mountain isn’t a hidden gem, and you will definitely have company when you visit here. But it’s worth it because it’s one of the best wineries near Shenandoah National Park!

Visitor Info:

  • Address: 6109 Wolftown-Hood Rd, Madison, VA 22727
  • Hours: Fri-Sat: 11 AM-7 PM, Sun: 11 AM-5 PM
  • Tasting prices: Instead of traditional tastings, Early Mountain offers flights for $20 a person
Early Mountain winery

Early Mountain’s tasting room

For more on Virginia wineries, be sure to check out my other suggestions here.

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Some of Virginia's best wineries are near Shenandoah National Park! Visit mountaintop tasting rooms, hidden gems without crowds, and taste award-winning wines. #virginia #shenandoah #wine #usatravel   Some of Virginia's best wineries are near Shenandoah National Park! Visit mountaintop tasting rooms, hidden gems without crowds, and taste award-winning wines. #virginia #shenandoah #wine #usatravel

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