General’s Ridge Vineyard & Winery

We often stop at the Virginia wineries in our way home to Maryland. My family lives in the Northern Neck and I’ve been visiting my family for 52 years. Can’t pass up the prettiest winery in the trip home. So glad we stopped in. Wonderful young ladies behind the wine bar pouring the tastings. We left before the music started and hope we catch the music next time. Our favorite was the Cabernet franc. Delicious. I’ll share pictures too. I have to bring my dad next time. As a Marine, imagine my dad would enjoy meeting the owner who is also a Marine. Beautiful land and simply gorgeous location.

My girlfriend and I stumbled upon this place while we were vacationing on the Northern Neck some time ago. We’re from upstate New York, and as such, we are quite accustomed to the Finger Lakes wineries and the pomp and circumstance that goes with visiting a winery. All of that was thrown to the wind with a visit to General’s Ridge. The wines were all tasty, but what stood out to us was the demeanor of the vineyard owner. He welcomed us in and chatted freely while we drank – about everything from baseball to his ex-​wife – and when we had finished, he packaged up both of our wine glasses and sent on our way with a hearty goodbye. We still use those glasses to this day and remember the winery fondly.
My girlfriend still likes to remind me of what the owner said to me upon refusing the red wine samples: «In the navy we have a term for men like you. .. we say that
he wasn’t all he could be.’ That’s you, man.»

My fiancé and I visited the vineyard while staying at The Inn at Montross. The wine was reasonably priced and great to taste. We purchased a couple of bottles to enjoy that weekend.
We also lucked out and were able to chat with the owners while staying at the Inn. Very interesting individuals and great to meet the owners behind the operation!
A great place to stop when visiting the Northern Neck and doing some vineyard hopping.

I just returned from GRVW this past weekend and all I have to say is Wow! What a great place to get away from the daily DC/​Balto commute. If you’re driving down from the DC/​Balto area I highly recommend taking 301 across the Potomac rather than going down I-​95. Some GPS will leave you a little short on reaching the actual destination. A local map/​atlas will come in handy. The directions are also spot-​on at the website. Once you arrive, you will encounter endless grape vines. Truly awesome.
We stayed at the Vineyard Views which is an upstairs modern flat (kitchen, dining, bedroom, 2BA and plently of sitting areas. The balcony overlooks the vineyard (hence the name) and you are truly taken back at the scene). We were lucky to have a great weekend and was able to tour several vineyards throughout the area. Tasting room is excellent and the owners Rick and Linda are the most charming folks you will ever meet in the area and if you’re there for an overnight stay, they will make sure you are well acquainted with all of the local places to go for dining and just about whatever you’re looking for in the area. They present some very, Very, VERY good wine.
Again, perfect place to just get away for a romantic weekend, retreat or just a step back in time.
Looking forward to the next opportunity to getway!

This is a relatively new spot in the Northern Neck peninsula of Virginia. They instantly get three and a half stars for their warm greeting. It went something like this: «Welcome! We’re pickin’ Pinot Noir today. Come on in. Get out of the smoke!» Pinot Noir: I sort of expect this at the higher altitude wineries in western Virginia, but not in the heart of the Northern Neck. It is spicy and has a kick. Not sure if Miles would approve.
Now the smoke: the Great Dismal Swamp was on fire last weekend and damn near most if not all of the Virginia coast was coated in smoke. We followed orders and tasted some very good wines (that Pinot was interesting but not exactly what I would expect from a Pinot Noir) at a tasting bar that had a doorknob in the middle of it. The bar was made from the scraps of an old barn. Welcome to rural Virginia.
Of the whites, I preferred the Viognier the most and the Westmoreland Red (a blend) was my favorite red. They have a large events room connected to the tasting room and the wood still smells new. Dense forest all around. I think they have big plans for this place. And rightly so — it’s in the middle of what is called the Chesapeake Bay wine trail. If you visit the more well-​known Ingleside Winery, drive another 40 miles south and visit General’s Ridge. It’s well worth the trip.

Generals Ridge Tasting Room just opened a month ago. For a brand new winery they are presenting wonderful wines! The wines are all medium bodied and very versatile! Anyone coming in for a taste would find at least one or two of the wines exceptional, if not all of them!
The General has actually been growing and selling fruit to many Virginia wineries and winemakers for over 10 years. Chances are that if you have been to other wineries in Virginia you have tasted wine that was made with fruit that came from this property.
The venue is wonderful; very peaceful and classy. The atmosphere is very inviting and begs to be enjoyed much longer than just during a tasting.
They offer food; which most wineries in the area do not. This is a plus!
They are also open on Friday evening’s until 7:00; perfect to meet friends after work for a glass or bottle of wine and share some appetizers!
They also have two rentals on the property for lodging and entertaining. The Manor House is a renovated 1800s plantation home that has 3 bedrooms and sleeps six with a full kitchen and wonderful balcony that overlooks the vineyard — BEAUTIFUL! The Carriage House is great for large dinner parties or possibly a reception or Rehearsal dinner. The upstairs, Vineyard Views offers sleeping for a family. It would be perfect for a ladies weekend away or a book club!
They have a wonderful enclosed deck (Vines Room) that is great for sitting and enjoying the delicious food and wine with friends. It is still under construction, however, they plan to have it totally completed by the end of May.
It is definitely worth the drive to check this welcome new winery out!
I would have given 5 stars, but I was once told that to give 5 stars to anything means there is no room for improvement, and I don’t care who you are, or what you offer; there is always room for at least an ounce of improvement somewhere! I will say, this vineyard/​winery is one that you will want to keep coming back too and remain a part of its evolution!