A Vineyards Trip? Wine Not?

For wine aficionados and novices alike, Chateau O’Brien serves up fantastic views, great customer service and its own brand of vino.

Howard O’Brien opened his Markham, Virginia winery in November of 2006, and has been pleased with its progression into a known brand.

“Most of our wines are two to three years old,” said O’Brien. “Waiting before you release is the key.”

O’Brien promises a quality experience to go along with your wine. He notes that “customer service is a lost art these days,” and that it isn’t hard to provide customers with a good time.

“We have several tasting rooms to accommodate our guests,” said O’Brien, whose repeat customers are mostly age 30 and older. “It’s all about their full experience and focusing on the quality of the whole package.”

And how exactly does this whole package work? Well, Chateau O’Brien grows and uses its own grapes to make wine, and uses more equipment than necessary just in case something happens.

“No matter what, you have to make wine and you don’t want something to keep you from producing,” O’Brien said. “Having a facility like ours keeps us from relying on anyone else.”

Most of O’Brien’s vino is made in the vineyard and aged in French oak barrels to keep anybody from tampering with the natural process that takes place. At Chateau O’Brien, they do as little as they can while making the wine so it can age naturally.

While visiting, don’t worry if your vino expertise isn’t up to par. During your tasting, the folks at Chateau O’Brien encourage everyone to ask questions — remember, there are never stupid questions. In fact, you will most likely get O’Brien himself answering you since he can often be found behind the bar serving his guests.

“I find those who know less about wine more intriguing,” says O’Brien. “They are so willing to listen and expand their horizons. I love to keep learning too. There is never a top of the mountain for me.”

Chateau O’Brien treats each guest with quality attention and service, making sure their glasses are changed after each tasting to keep their palates fresh. The customers range from locals to visitors from Croatia, Peru, France and Uruguay.
In fact, O’Brien receives numerous requests from one-time customers to ship his wine around the country because they enjoyed it so much.

“That means so much to me,” explains O’Brien. “It lets me know we’re doing something right when they could buy local wine, but instead they have mine shipped.”

O’Brien thrives on the environment he’s in right now and in doing something he is so passionate about. A wine collector himself, he often travels and drinks other kinds of wine to experiment.

“I’m not comparing it to mine, but that’s not a bad thing to do.,” O’Brien said. “There’s never an end to this for me.”
Chateau O’Brien: Open Thursday-Monday from

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 3238 Rail Stop Road, Markham, VA;
540-364-6441; www.chateauobrien.com


Three Fox Vineyards
Sitting back sipping wine on 50 acres of land, you might forget you are in the Mosby Heritage Area of Virginia and feel like you are drinking vino in Tuscany. Owners Holli and John Todhunter are wine aficionados who created their vineyard in an Italian and Southern French style. Three Fox Vineyard specializes in Italian wines and dabbles with wines from the South of France including Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays during the afternoon when the winemaker will take you through the vineyard and winery, discussing behind-the-scenes wine details. It’s no wonder the vineyard’s mantra is “La Dolce Vita” or “The Sweet Life.”
Three Fox Vineyards: Open Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 10100 Three Fox Lane, Delaplane, VA; 540-364-6073; www.threefoxvineyards.com

Barrel Oak Winery
Just opened this past Memorial Day, Barrel Oak Winery is a totally hand-built, green winery started by Sharon and Brian Roeder. Located across from Little Cobbler Mountain, guests can sit on the stone patio and sip the vineyard’s Virginia red and white wines as they watch the sunset. Feel free to take a guided or self-guided tour of the vineyard including the underground production facilities, barrel room, crush pad, steel tank room and stone fireplace. Take a picnic or enjoy some of Barrel Oak’s food to accompany your wine.
Barrel Oak Winery: Open every day from 11 a.m. to  6 p.m. except Tuesday. 3623 Grove Lane, Delaplane, VA; 540-364-6402; www.barreloak.com

Miracle Valley Vineyard
While enjoying a glass of Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier or Cabernet Franc, take in the serenity that surrounds Miracle Valley, located in Delaplane, Virginia. Sit outdoors, inside the tasting room, or travel around the vineyard, enjoying gorgeous views of the pond, vineyard vistas and landscapes. Miracle Valley spreads across 50 acres of land that will take your breath away.
Miracle Valley Vineyard: Open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to  5 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 3841 Cobbler Mountain Road, Delaplane, VA; 540-364-0228; www.miraclevalleyvineyard.com

Veramar Vineyard
Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains on 100-acres is Veramar Vineyards, a family-run winery and vineyard specializing in Virginia wines. Three generations of the Bogaty family are in charge of the internationally-acclaimed wine. Open year-round, Veramar offers tours of their vineyard, featuring its Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vidal Blanc Bordeaux-styled red, Sevyal Blanc and Norton. Veramar’s motto, “live the good life,” starts with good wine, and they get better every day.
Veramar Vineyard: Open Wednesday through Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Tuesday. 905 Quarry Road. Berryville, VA; 540-995-5510; www.veramar.com

Breaux Vineyards
Head westward about 10 miles past Leesburg, Virginia, to this gorgeous vineyard set in rolling hills. The estate sits on 400 acres, nearly 100 of which are rows of vines. Watch for numerous tastings and events in the fall. This summer, the Key West Festival takes place there July 19, featuring a reggae band and Jimmy Buffett cover band performing while you sample Breaux’s wines. A great summer wine is the Syrah Dry Rose, a little tart, a little fruity, with a peppery finish.
Breaux Vineyards: 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane,
Purcellville, VA; 540-668-6299; www.breauxvineyards.com

Tarara Winery
Summer is the perfect time to tour this Leesburg winery thanks to the cool temperatures inside their 6,000-square-foot winemaker’s cave, where the wines are produced and aged. Tarara’s biggest wine festival, Blackberry Days, takes place over the Aug. 2 weekend with plump blackberries you can pick yourself, food, crafts, live entertainment and wagon rides through the vineyard. Set along the Potomac River, Tarara recently teamed up with River and Trail Outfitters to offer 5-to-7-mile canoe/kayak tours followed by a wine tasting and cave tour for $95 per person. For an excellent red, try the Cabernet Franc. For a crisp, refreshing white wine, try the Charval, a tasty twist on Chardonnay. www.tarara.com
Tarara Winery: 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg, VA; 703-771-7100; www.tarara.com

Linganore Wine Cellars
Located in Mount Airy, Maryland, not far from Frederick, Linganore boasts a lovely countryside setting in which to spend an afternoon. For a wonderful white summer wine, chill a bottle of their Fox Hunt Blush. This summer, Linganore will host two weekend wine fests: a reggae festival July 19-20 and a swingin’ blues festival Aug. 9-10. So spread your blanket and picnics and enjoy your favorite bottle of wine on the sprawling lawn.
Linganore Wine Cellars: 13601 Glissans Mill Road. Mt. Airy, MD; 301-831-5889; www.linganore-wine.com