Gadino Cellars

(Been there, checked it!)

Slip away for a few hours to the quiet and beautiful countryside of Rappahannock County, VA and become part of Gadino Cellars La Famiglia.

Relax with our assortment of fine wines, gourmet cheeses and local sausage in our Italian-inspired tasting room or on our sun-splashed deck overlooking the year round gardens, our vineyards and the enchanting Blue Ridge Mountains.

Furthering the Italian experience during your visit, we have two regulation size Bocce Ball Courts to enhance your “wining” pleasure.

Tasting Room Hours: 11:30-5:00pm Friday, Sunday, and Monday; 11:30-6:00pm Saturday; Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Tastings cost $5; you get to keep the glass.

We visited Gadino Cellars on 18 July. Here’s a link to Nancy’s post on our visit. “We all wish we could be doing what you’re doing. But we have to be here,” Aleta Gadino said of her fellow winery owners, and seemed truly torn between joining us on the “150 Wineries in 150 Days Tour: Virginia” or hanging out with happy customers in her lively tasting room on a recent Sunday.

All photos from this winery

We know the truth; a winery doesn’t become as popular as Gadino Cellars because the owners are off gallivanting about. And Gadino is clearly making an impression. Fifteen cars full of winery-hopping guests packed the bar, hung out on the stylish chairs flanking the big fireplace, and sat out on the patio, just yards from the vineyard. Colorful flags, brought back from Siena, fluttered from the ceiling, remembering the famous Italian horse races, the Palio di Siena.

As we sampled Gadino’s excellent Pinot Grigio and Viognier, twice Wine Club members came in to pick up their orders, stopping to chat with the friendly Aleta and her husband, Bill, as Bill dashed off to lead a private tour. These two aren’t going to be joining us anytime soon on our round-the-state tour – it’s obvious their winery is where they want to be. And just as obvious that everyone else wants to be there, too.

Pinot Grigio; Viognier; Luminoso (petit mansang & vidal blanc); Moonrise (cab franc, cab sauvignon, & chardonnay); Cabernet Franc; Imagine (chambourcin, cab franc, & merlot); Dolce Sofia (petit mansang & vidal blanc).

Note: Our iPhone had no AT&T cell signal at Gadino Cellars, so make sure you have your GPS or directions fired up before you go!

From Washington, DC and East:
Take Rt. 66W to exit 43A – Route 29S toward Gainesville/Warrenton. After entering Warrenton turn right on Rt. 211W toward Shenandoah National Park. Travel approx. 23 miles to Rt. 636 – School House Rd (2.5 miles past Washington, VA.) Turn left onto School House Rd. and follow past the elementary school continuing left past the ball fields ½ mile to Gadino Cellars at 92 School House Rd.

From Culpeper and areas South:
Take Rt. 522N to Sperryville. Turn right at the stop sign in center of town, go across the bridge and turn right onto Rt. 211 East. Travel 3.5 miles and turn right onto Rt. 636 (School House Rd ). Follow the signs ½ mile past the elementary school continuing left past the ball fields to Gadino Cellars.

From Front Royal and North:
Take Rt. 522 South to Rt. 211 West toward the town of Washington. Turn left onto Rt. 636 (School House Rd.) Follow the signs ½ mile past the elementary school continuing left past the ball fields to Gadino Cellars.