The Georges in Lexington
Traveling by way of Virginia, one notices indicators that learn “Virginia is for Lovers.” It was a profitable Nineteen Sixties tourism marketing campaign to advertise the state’s stunning surroundings, culinary choices, out of doors actions and charming cities. This slogan grew to become a beloved half of the state’s id, symbolizing not solely romance however Virginia’s welcoming spirit and points of interest.
Virginia is for Lovers of Luxury Accommodations
The Georges in Lexington is a 33 room boutique resort on Main Street. It’s a compound of 5 buildings providing a mix of historic attraction and trendy design. Some of the buildings date again to over 200 years, and have been renovated with completely different and distinctive trendy interiors.
A Gorgeous Georges Guest Room. Photo Jill Weinlein
In the brand new Livery Building, spacious visitor rooms characteristic luxe Frette bedding, plush robes and slippers, and huge marble bogs full with a walk-in bathe and bathtub.
TAPS at The Georges. Photo Jill Weinlein
Virginia is for Lovers of Culinary Delights
Start your morning with a complimentary cold and warm breakfast earlier than a day of exploring neighboring cities. The Georges serves breakfast at TAPS off the foyer. In the night this house turns into a complicated restaurant with dwell music on sure evenings. Across the road is the resort’s second restaurant, Haywood’s that’s open for dinner and Sunday brunch.
The service at The Georges is skilled and pleasant. Ideally situated subsequent to 2 prestigious schools: Washington and Lee, and Virginia Military Institute, it is a favourite for potential and present college students and their households.
Virginia Is For Lovers Of Farms.
Virginia is for Lovers of Farms
One of the primary spots to go to close to Lexington, Virginia is the 54-acre Tantivy Lavender Farm. Owners Brian and Penny welcome company to their farm and encourage company to pet their menagerie of animals. There is a small herd or miniature donkeys, a miniature cow named ‘Swiss Miss’, a pair horses, sheep, peacocks and a loving and dependable farm canine.
What began as a retirement interest in 2018, after a profitable equestrian profession, has turn out to be a high vacation spot to go to in Fairfield, Virginia. This productive farm bears 360 lavender crops, fruit timber, berries vines, vegetable gardens and flower beds. There are 5 separate areas with 50 varieties of over 1200 crops.
Tantivy Lavender Farm. Photo Jill Weinlein
Start on the Lavender Gift Shop for a refreshing glass of lavender lemonade and a lavender cookie. They additionally make home made lavender ice cream that they promote by the inside track. The store additionally sells lavender cleaning soap, lavender lotions, and lavender smelling candles for considerate souvenirs. Guests are welcome to carry a picnic and hike to the farm’s secluded 12-foot waterfall for scenic views.
Throughout the 12 months, Penny provides a spread of enrichment lessons to locals and guests. From ‘Kokedama’, the artwork of making moss balls, to floral arranging lessons, Holiday Advent wreath and do-it-yourself Christmas wreath lessons. This pretty couple desires to share their small piece of Heaven to everybody who visits Virginia.
Natural Bridge State Park. Photo Jill Weinlein
Virginia is for Lovers of Nature
Natural Bridge State Park is a tonic for the thoughts, physique and spirit. This gorgeous pure large limestone arch shaped by erosion, spans 215 toes and is 90 toes broad. It rises 65 toes above the creek beneath and is massive sufficient to suit the Statue of Liberty beneath. Route 11 has been on high of this pure bridgeway because the Thirties. It’s surrounded by stunning mountain climbing trails, caves, and Cedar Creek.
Visitors can stroll alongside the Cedar Creek Trail previous waterfalls to picturesque view spots of the bridge. Step contained in the park’s customer middle to be taught extra concerning the space’s geology and historical past. Natural Bridge has a wealthy previous beginning with Thomas Jefferson in 1774. In 2016, this space grew to become a state park and is stabilized to its pure state, simply as Jefferson needed to maintain this iconic vacation spot.
It’s a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers and artists with its various wildlife and plant species. As a great spot for nature remark, Natural Bridge has turn out to be a novel marriage ceremony vacation spot for small weddings and elopements.
Rockbridge Vineyard. Photo Jill Weinlein
Virginia is for Lovers of Wine
President Thomas Jefferson was a robust advocate for wine manufacturing in America and had a specific curiosity in viticulture in Virginia. At his property, Monticello, he experimented with varied grape varieties whereas planting vineyards. He was dedicated to enhancing American winemaking.
Virginia’s wine scene started to take off within the Seventies, with early pioneers like Dr. Jim Law, who established Linden Vineyards in 1985, and Patricia Kluge, who created Kluge Estate Winery within the late Nineteen Nineties. The state provides a various vary of wineries and varietals, gaining recognition and awards for its Chardonnays Viognier and Cabernet Franc wines.
It continues to thrive with award profitable wines from Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery in Raphine. Their tasting room has a round walk-up bar overlooking the farm, vineyards and out of doors picnic and wine tasting terrace. Their quite a few awards all through the years embrace Best in Show within the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition, Best in Show in Town Point Competition and so they have gained twice at the coveted Virginia Governor’s Cup.
Rockbridge Tasting Room. Photo Jill Weinlein
Shepherd ‘Shep’ and Jane Rouse personal Rockbridge Vineyard. Shep’s heritage in Virginia dates again to the seventeenth century, and he’s a graduate of Washington & Lee University. Afterwards he moved to California to acquire his Masters in Enology from UC Davis.
Shep visited and labored in vineyards in California and Germany, earlier than coming again to Virginia with Jane. They make a spread of wines from their 17 rolling acres of vineyards, plus grapes from different top-quality vineyards in Virginia counties. Shep produces small batch, native grape wines with minimal processing.
When their son needed to make beer and open a brewery, they constructed a brewery and faucet room subsequent to their wine tasting room. Now locals and guests are available in for a pint, a flight or carry of their growlers for a replenish.
Ecco Adesso Vineyards
Another family-owned award-winning vineyard is Ecco Adesso Vineyards in Fairfield, Virginia. Its identify in Italian means ‘right here now,’ and the attractive tasting room and huge exterior lined veranda with rocking chairs is idyllic for sipping a flight of Old World and New World wines.
During the 2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition, their 2022 New World VA Chardonnay was awarded a prestigious Gold Medal. Ask for a style of this golden hue wine infused with flavors of honeysuckle, pineapple, and delicate acidity. It’s an beautiful wine embodying the essence of Virginia’s best craftsmanship.
Other award-winning wines they make have acquired silver medals together with their 2022 Old World Virginia Chardonnay, 2022 New World Cabernet Franc and 2021 Primo Bianco Chardonnay.
Ecco Adesso collaborates with Sassaia Vineyards scrumptious Italian wines and Williamsburg Winery, a sister vineyard, situated within the coastal space of Virginia, producing throughout the Virginia Peninsula AVA.
Events are deliberate on Thursday by way of Sunday that embrace Apertivo on the Vineyard-Italian Style, Sunset Fridays, Live Music on Saturdays and Sip and Savor Sundays.
Ecco Adesso Old Timber Ridge Farmhouse
Stay in a single day in a single of the onsite retreats whereas exploring Virginia. The historic 4 bed room Old Timber Ridge Farmhouse has been superbly restored and is adjoining to the farm vineyard. Relax on the entrance porch in a rocking chair or on a hammock, stargaze into the nation sky or subsequent to the smokeless firepit. There is an out of doors grill and yard video games for household enjoyable and pleasant reunions.
The Vintner’s Guest House is a romantic three bed room residence perched on a hill overlooking pastures, vineyards, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located subsequent to the tasting room, company can chill out in Adirondack chairs on the lined porch, or benefit from the heat from a Breeo firepit.
Activities on the property embrace mountain climbing trails, effervescent springs and waterfalls. Pack a picnic to get pleasure from within the verdant meadows with a bottle of wine wanting in direction of the spectacular Blue Ridge mountain views.
Heliotrope Brewery in Lexington. Photo Jill Weinlein
Virginia is for Lovers of Beer
Heliotrope Brewery in Lexington brews a spread of craft beers with as many native components as doable, from produce grown inside a number of miles of the brewery. The barley is harvested and malted in Virginia to make beers with names equivalent to a bitter beer known as ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart.’ The pizza is made with a sourdough crust. They additionally serve salads at this household pleasant restaurant that stands in opposition to racism and discrimination in all its types.
To plan a Virginia is for Lovers getaway, you should definitely go to Lexington’s Visitors Guide to study journey alternatives, historic excursions, eating venues, tradition and neighborhood.
