Charlottesville Insider: Your Guide to Wineries, Hotels, Events, and More!

❄️🥮 Snow is back - hope you’re hunkered down in a warm place with plenty of treats!
@coucourachou

Pictured: Meyer Lemon Confit Danish 😋

#snowday #coucourachou #cville #cvillesnow #cvillepastries #cvillefoodie #bakery #danish #charlottesvile #charlottesvilleva ...

🍹 Need a little date night inspiration? Hit the bar at @the_bebedero for some modern Mexican and some of the best cocktails in town! Spice it up with their signature “Donde estan mis pantalones” (Mezcal, 151 Rum, passion fruit, grapefruit, lime, agave, Rosè, smoked thyme) or their House Margarita Picante. Insider tip: don’t miss out on their Avocado Minichangas as an app or shared plate (Avocado, corn, cheese, and beans served with habanero mango chutney, crema, cilantro, and red pepper).

The man behind the cocktails (at @the_bebedero, along with @themilkmansbar, and @mejicali_bar_cville), River Hawkins has earned a reputation as one of the area’s best mixologists. Hawkins, who managed the bar of a boutique resort in Yelapa, Mexico is one of the world’s foremost experts on mezcal. Take things up a notch with a second date to a mezcal tasting class put on by @riverhawkins himself! His classes will take you on an intriguing ride through the rich history, fascinating process, and complex flavors of a spirit that he is incredibly passionate about. Reserve a tasting through @the_bebedero`s website.

#charlottesvilleinsider #mexican #thebebedero #cvilledowntown #mexicanfood #charlottesville #cville #supportlocal #charlottesvilleva #vafood #vafoodie #explorecville #cvilleeats #mezcal #tequila #margarita #spicymargarita #cvilledowntown #downtowncville #tacos #bardrinks ...

🦭🎈🥂 We caught up with Elizabeth Pelly, owner of @merriemillfarmandvineyard in Keswick VA, inside the most whimsical and cozy tasting room as she gave us a tour of the space, and all of the personal and unique touches that make this winery a must visit! Elizabeth and her husband Guy planted vines in 2018 and opened the tasting room in 2021. Elizabeth calls the tasting room decor an extension of her home, also on property, and as an artist herself, had a special aesthetic vision for this playful and welcoming space. Elizabeth, a UVA grad with an art degree, has also added her flair to the vineyard’s wine label designs, each bottle label full of detail and with its own personal story. As a sister brand of @feastcville, Merrie Mill offers many of their locally-made, tasty products including soups, spreads and paninis. They have also teamed up with @cakebloom of Charlottesville and @nightingaleicecream of Richmond to delivery delicious artisan cakes and ice cream sandwiches. Merrie Mill has great indoor and outdoor tasting spaces, porches and patios, and hosts live music for their Friday Sundowners Series in the months of May, August, September, and October, and on some holidays. Merrie Mill is kid AND dog friendly, so there’s no excuse not to stop by with your crew!

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#merriemillfarmandvineyard #charlottesvilleinsider #cvilleeats #vafoodie #charlottesvilleeats #visitvirginia #cvillelocal #cvillewinery #keswick #monticellowinetrail #charlottesvilleva #virginia #charlottesville #virginiaisforlovers #virginialove #cvilleva #cvillefood #keswickva #winery #cvillewine #vawine #virginiawine #exploreva #cville #visitcville ...

🥂 Celebrating women-owned businesses in Charlottesville! Our latest blog post (link in bio) spotlights some great female owned businesses in the area - wineries and more!

More about the incredible female team behind @eastwoodfarmandwinery...

What happens when the talents and interests of three women – specifically a mother and two of her daughters – come together serendipitously? Sometimes it creates something magical. Athena Eastwood practiced as a commodities lawyer for twenty years and was recognized for her work helping agricultural and energy clients develop innovative strategies to combat and adapt to climate change. When she purchased a small farm just outside of the city limits of Charlottesville in 2016, she was also teaching an environmental commodities class at the University of Virginia School of Law, where the discussion often turned to the importance of developing local infrastructure – including local agriculture. At the same time, her daughter, Hannah Velie, was practicing that very theory running a non-profit farm she started in a food desert in Baltimore. Athena’s oldest daughter, Megan Velie Taub, was also focused on making a local impact – just finishing a master’s degree in developmental psychology with an emphasis on American Dream research. During that course of study, she had become passionate about the critical role of small business in creating sustainable communities. Over many shared meals and glasses of wine, the three women, along with Athena’s unstoppable partner Jeremy Christian, decided to join forces on a project in their own backyard. Eastwood Farm and Winery is now recognized as one of the fastest growing wineries of the Monticello Wine Trail. 🍇

#charlottesvillewineries #cville #charlottesville #womeninwine #femaleowned #womanowned #womanownedbusiness #eastwoodfarmandwinery #Eastwoodwinery #athenaeastwood #winestories #charlottesvilleinsider #charlottesvillewine #cvillewine #monticellowinetrail #supportlocal ...

🥃🍴We’re so excited to share with you our experience at the Exchange Cafe in Barboursville! Initially not exactly sure what to expect of this roadside cafe, we were pleasantly blown away by the incredible food, and the delightful hospitality of owner Craig as he gave us the tour of his restaurant, catering business, and next door @vafoothillsdistillery (newly opened in March 2024 in partnership with COL Charles Reinhold and his wife Christen). Craig and his wife Donna are also the owners of the nationally-lauded Barbeque Exchange in Gordonsville, and Craig’s experience in the industry is extensive (Keswick Hall, Clifton Inn, Sanderling Inn, Pinehurst!). The couple opened @exchangecafeva in April of 2023 with the mission of celebrating local produce, Virginia wine, and offering visitors a sampling of the bounty of the Virginia Foothills region, serving an assortment of locally sourced meats, seafood and vegetables grilled in a hickory coal grill. Offering foods that they both simply enjoy themselves, there are no limits or categories in place here - just an array of exciting menu options...full espresso bar, daily creative specials, grilled fish of the day, breakfast tacos, desserts, 9-5 Sunday Brunch, “pinchos” or grilled meat and veggie skewers (from Craig’s Puerto Rican roots), select wines, liquor, and desserts! We tried the Alsatian Onion Tart on special, the grilled Rockfish special, Crawfish Fritter special, Fried Pork Sandwich special, shrimp and chicken Pinchos, alongside an informative bourbon tasting by Craig, including the distillery’s “Blind Preacher”!

You may have to find an excuse to be in Barboursville, perhaps a hike at Old Rag, a Rapidan River kayak, a trip to @libertymillsfarm, or a dive from the sky with @skydiveorange, following up your adventure by dining at the Exchange Cafe. Or, make the trip for the meal itself - it`s worth it!

#exchangecafe #craighartman #exchangecafebarboursville #barboursville #vadistillery #distillery #vafood #barboursvilleva #vafoothillsdistillery #charlottesvilleva #cville #supportlocal #supportlocalbusiness #charlottesvilleinsider #charlottesvillevirginia #charlottesville ...

☕ If you’re a coffee lover who enjoys supporting a good cause, you’re in luck! @gritcoffee has partnered with the @chrislongfoundation on a limited-edition coffee, "Kickoff Blend". Available now online at @gritcoffee, and available in Grit Coffee shops starting this week and in select retailers soon after! A portion of the proceeds from each bag will directly support the Chris Long Foundation and its work to expand clean water access, meet basic needs for youth and families, and inspire impactful service locally and globally. Chris Long wants to get the word out that “Every cup of ‘Kickoff Blend’ will not only fuel your day, but also fuel the work we’re doing to provide access and opportunity to communities around the world. It’s a small way to make a big difference.”

#gritcoffee #coffeeforacause #chrislong #chrislongfoundation #kickoffblend #cleanwater #goodcause #charlottesvilleinsider #cvillecommunity #supportlocalbusiness #cville #charlottesvillevirginia #loveva #charlottesvilleva #charlottesville #crozet #locallyowned #supportlocal #spreadjoy ...

💕🍫🍾Wondering what to get your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day? After a stop into Charlottesville’s long-time favorite Foods of All Nations, we realized this spot could serve as the perfect one-stop-shop for all of your gifting, eating, and drinking needs! Between their unique gift items and personalized gift baskets, offering of cute cards, diverse wine selection, @alightcville flowers, @gearhartschocolates, breads and pastry treats from @mariebettecafe, delicious pies, fresh meats and seafood, variety of cheeses, and MANY more local and international delights…there are endless ideas to create that perfect evening at home!

@foodsofcville is a true area gem. If you haven’t been yet, or haven’t been in a while, it’s definitely worth a stop in to this “everything” store that takes pride in supporting local producers. You’re sure to leave with something you feel good about taking home!

#foodsofallnations #foodsofvirginia #charlottesvilleva #valentines2025 #valentinesday #charlottesvilleinsider #charlottesvilleva #supportlocalbusiness #charlottesville #charlottesvillevirginia #loveva #explorecville #cville #cvillecommunity #cvilleeats #vafoodie #cvillefoodie ...