Ingleside Vineyards

(Been there, checked it!)

Escape to Ingleside Vineyards…Our unspoiled and unpretentious surroundings offer an atmosphere of relaxation; the perfect getaway from the hectic life of the city. Ingleside embraces the casual attitude and lifestyle of the Chesapeake Region. We invite you to experience our exceptional wines and indulge yourself in the rich history and beauty of Virginia’s Northern Neck.

Nearby, you will find the birthplaces of George Washington, Robert E. Lee, and James Monroe, among many other key historical spots of interest, including Ingleside Plantation. Built in 1834, it first served as a boys’ school known as Washington Academy. During the Civil War it was used as a garrison and later a courthouse. Since 1890, the Flemer family has owned and operated this grand estate encompassing more than 3,000 acres and for the first fifty years it functioned as a dairy farm.

However, in 1940 Carl Flemer Jr. had bigger plans and throughout the years the estate evolved into Ingleside Plantation Nursery and then Ingleside Vineyards after stumbling upon the fact that our location and conditions are prime for growing high quality wine grapes.

Opening in 1980, under the direction of Doug Flemer, Ingleside Vineyards is one of Virginia’s oldest and largest wineries and produces over 18 varieties of wine from estate-grown grapes. For thirty years our hand-crafted wines have won numerous awards and top honors in state, national and international wine competitions, such as the Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition, San Diego International Wine Competition, as well as the London International Wine Spirits Competition. Our winemaker, Bill Swain, has brought Ingleside wines to a new level with his passion, skill and thoughtful approach to the craft of winemaking.

Monday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm (open one hour later in summer). Closed on New Years Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. (“That leaves 361 days of the year for you to visit Ingleside Vineyards!”) Basic tasting costs $3; Reserve tasting is $7; and the Full tasting is $10. All tastings include a souvenir glass.

We visited Ingleside on 8 August. Here’s a link to Nancy’s post on our visit. As you travel the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail on Virginia’s Northern Neck, you’ll hear a lot about Ingleside Winery. They were the first on the Neck, and one of the first in state, producing commercial wines since 1980 – ancient, by modern Virginia winemaking standards.

All photos from this winery

But what you hear most is what a terrific mentor and encouraging friend they’ve been to other wineries in the area. And you hear about Dr. Jacques Recht, the Belgian winemaker who, with his wife, sailed his homemade 36 foot catamaran across the sea, landing serendipitously in the Chesapeake Bay. The Rechts met Ingleside’s owner and agreed to stay on for a few weeks to provide some guidance to the fledgling winery. He stayed for thirty years.

And just as Jacques Recht left a last impression, so does Ingleside. The winery appears unassuming at first glance, but then the path toward the tasting room opens into a big, sunny interior courtyard. Perfect place for a party, you think.

Pouring at the tasting bar inside is Gary, who’s been with Ingleside for 11 years – long enough to know pretty much everything about the operation, the wine, the world. From Gary you learn about the day cruises from Tappahannock to Ingleside, the nearby birthplaces of George Washington, Robert E. Lee and James Monroe, and that this 3,000 acre estate has been owned by the Flemer family for over one hundred years.

You also learn that Ingleside sells more than 20 wines, so you have to be strategic at the tasting bar or you’ll be spending the night. Tastings are $3 for the “basic,” $7 for the reserve, or $10 for both, including the glass. We opted for one of each, and liked much of what we tried, in particular the very drinkable Chesapeake Chardonnay ($12.95). We also liked the Blue Crab Blanc ($11), the Chesapeake Cabernet Merlot ($13), and the ’05 Cabernet Sauvignon ($20).

But the best part wasn’t even in the tasting room or the outside patio. Have a little wander and you’ll discover the barrel room, a romantic space with low lights, dark walls, white lights decorating the barrels, and cozy seating options for two. Now this place really calls out for a party. Or an affair. Don’t miss it.

Rick summed up the visit with this observation: “I just shot an entire memory card here!”

Pinot Grigio; Chesapeake Chardonnay; Chardonnay; Blue Crab Blanc (blend of Chardonnay, Seyval Blanc, and Sauvignon Bland); Blue Crab Blush (Sangiovese and Cab Sauvignon); Rosato di Sangiovese; Chesapeake Cabernet Merlot; Merlot; Cabernet Franc; Cabernet Sauvignon; Sangiovese; Petit Verdot (blend of Petit Verdot and Cab Sauvignon); Syrah (Syrah with 4% Merlot and 1% Pinot Noir); Blue Crab Red (Cab Suavignon, Merlot, and Syrah); Sweet Verginia Rose (Sangiovese, Cab Sauvignon, and Chambourcin); October Harvest (Petit Manseng with 9% Reisling). Also available to buy but not for tasting were Petit Verdot 2005 Special Reserve and Virginia Brut (a sparkling wine of Chadonnay “made in the traditional Methode Champenoise”).

Washington, D.C. – Northern Virginia
From Beltway
Rt. 95 South 38 miles to Fredericksburg
Rt. 3 East 30 miles to Oak Grove
Rt. 638 (Leedstown Rd.) 2.2 miles South to Winery

Washington, D.C. – Maryland Suburbs
From Beltway
Rt. 5 South 12 miles to Brandywine
Rt. 301 South 42 miles to Rt. 3
Rt. 3 East 10 miles to Oak Grove
Rt. 638 (Leedstown Rd.) South 2.2 miles to Winery

Baltimore
From Beltway
Rt. 97 South 12 miles to Rt. 3
Rt. 3 South 9 miles to Rt. 301
Rt. 301 South 64 miles to Virginia Rt. 3
Rt. 3 East 10 miles to Oak Grove
Rt. 638 (Leedstown Rd.) South 2.2 miles to Winery

Annapolis
Rt. 50 West 10 miles to Rt. 301
Rt. 301 South 64 miles to Virginia Rt. 3
Rt. 3 East 10 miles to Oak Grove
Rt. 638 (Leedstown Rd.) South 2.2 miles to Winery

Richmond
Rt. 95 North 20 miles to Carmel Church
Rt. 207 North 11 miles to Bowling Green
Rt. 301 North 17 miles to Rt. 3
Rt. 3 East 10 miles to Oak Grove
Rt. 638 (Leedstown Rd.) South 2.2 miles to Winery

Hampton Roads
Rt. 17 North 76 miles to Tappahannock
Rt. 360 East 6 miles to Warsaw
Rt. 3 West 26 miles to Oak Grove
Rt. 638 (Leedstown Rd.) South 2.2 miles to Winery

Fredericksburg
Rt. 3 East 30 miles to Oak Grove
Rt. 638 (Leedstown Rd.) South 2.2 miles to Winery