A Food + Wine Retreat at Mount Ida Reserve in Charlottesville, VA
The great men and women of history have always known the rolling hills of Charlottesville were meant for greatness. That’s because they make the best place for growing grapes that create our well-loved Virginia wines. In fact, Charlottesville was recently named by Wine Enthusiast as one of the best “Wine Region of the Year.” Tucked away in these hills is a luxurious Virginia wine country retreat, Mount Ida Reserve.
The Tasting Room & Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve
Mount Ida’s Tasting Room + Taphouse is situated atop Mount Ida’s 5,000-acre reserve, a fully functional cattle farm. You’ll likely pass some cows and sweet doggies on your journey in or out. Don’t let the farm roots fool you, though. From the moment you pull into the long and winding driveway to when you open the doors to the tasting room, you’ll feel sumptuous and relaxed.
The elevated indoor area has several different rooms, cozy nooks, and an epic bar area. As you move toward the lawn, you’ll be able to drink and eat in glass-enclosed sunrooms that offer floor-to-ceiling views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here, we enjoyed a well-rounded lunch and wine flights.
For an appetizer, we ordered the Sticky Chicken Lollipops which were worth the trip alone–we both loved every bite of these as the meat fell right off the bone. For entrees, we both ordered beef items: The Banh Mi with Mount Ida Sirloin Tip and Southern Smash Burger–both packed with flavor. There was a bonus for me: a gluten-free bun option. We visited during the week. The weekend menu–especially the Sunday Brunch menu–have even more flavor-packed options and fun seasonal drinks specials for everyone in your crew.
Vacation Rentals at Mount Ida
To really enjoy our stay, we wanted to be close to our winery-hopping destinations. Luckily, Mount Ida has its own collection of cottages, cabins, and a manor to stay throughout the sprawling property. We stayed at Black Branch, which has a main house and a guest house. This would be a perfect place to stay for a few couples or a family getaway. Every window led to an enchanting view of the woods or the mountains. The Wifi was fast and every amenity inside was top-notch, including the remote-controlled blinds that opened to a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the master bedroom. What a way to wake up!
Where Else to Go When You’re Here
Mount Ida is right in the middle of Charlottesville wine country. Several of the local wineries are featured in my Favorite Virginia Wineries article. Exceptionally close and exceptionally wonderful is Blenheim Vineyards, which is the baby of Charlottesville music legend Dave Matthews. The venue has grown over the years and boasts an expansive view of Virginia’s rolling hills and there’s always a fun event around the corner. My favorite wine is the Painted Red, though they’re all easy drinking. If you want to venture a little closer to town, use my Charlottesville Travel Guide.
For more a small town vibe, head to Scottsville. Find antique shops, coffee shops, boutiques, breweries, restaurants, and a cozy wine bar The Batteau. We enjoyed a lovely wine and the menu was loaded with small plates from a variety of cultures. Leave time for a stroll–almost half of the homes and buildings that line the river shores here are from before the Civil War.
On the way out of town, you must stop at Simeon Market. I passed by it and just knew I had to turn around. The French-inspired country market serves up hot coffee, gourmet local and imported French and Italian foods, and a curated collection of gifts, decor, jewelry, and more. They host regular gourmet brunches and other culinary events to enjoy in the hills of wine country.
