Peaks of Otter Winery

(Been there, checked it!)

Peaks of Otter Winery’s mission is to be good stewards of the land, the fruit, the community, and the consumer. To produce wines that are pleasant and fun to make, taste, sell, and drink. To make all who come feel special, valued, appreciated and a part of this family farm.

“Fruit of the farm” wines are made from a wide variety of fruit: apples, grapes, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, chili peppers, cherries, elderberries, and much more — all grown here in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at the foot of the Peaks of Otter.

Tasting Room Hours: Jan-Mar, weekends noon-5; Apr-Dec, daily noon-5. Tastings are free.

We visited Peaks of Otter Winery on 11 October 2010. “Tell people you are visiting all of Virginia’s wineries, and the first thing they’ll say isn’t “”why?”" – it’s “”You’re going to LOVE Peaks of Otter!”" They say this with a little bemused grin and a shake of the head and a warning about Kiss the Devil – the winery’s jalapeno wine that’s typically taken with a chaser of Cheese Whiz. Now THAT, my friends, is fun! Virginia’s first fruit winery, the much-loved Peaks of Otter now produces a couple of vinifera grapes, but fruit wines are clearly still first in their hearts: they produce nearly 40 different types. There’s really only one way to share the joy and outrageous creativity of the wines at this winery/market/petting zoo/farm – let you read about it for yourself. Here you go: Dry Peach – Peach Delight Virginia Apple Lovers – Dry Apple What A Tomato – Apple Tomato Crabapple Blackberry Cobbler Golden Nugget -Pear Light Pear Peach of Otter Brandy Wine Peach Sweet Heart – Apple pomegranate wine Go-Go-Go - Apple, Goji & Noni Berry Pumpkin Pie Plumlicious – Sweet Plum The Mango Tango Strawberry Shortcake Beale’s Treasure Liberty’s Jewels – Apple-Strawberry Nectarine Blue Ridge Mountain Grape Beale’s Treasure Sweet Apple Acia-Centuate The Positive – Acia Apple Blueberry Muffin Chili Dawg – apple blended with 3% chili pepper wine Cinfulicious – holiday wine, served warm Ras Ma Tas Raspberry Frosty Morn – white grapes Apple Truffle with milk chocolate Cherry Cherry Cheese Cake Beale’s Treasure – Pink Sapphire Peach Blackberry Jammed Strawberry Reserves Kiss the Devil Chili Pepper CAFE VINO – Like a Kahlua Salty Frog Margarita Pure Passion – sweet tart wine Sangria – red grape and citrus wine Vino Colada – pineapple coconut wine Oh, and the tasting is FREE! Yes! Bring your picnic, wander the farm, set up next to the pond, and have yourself a day.

All photos from this winery

Going South on Interstate 81
Take the US-11 exit- exit number 167- toward Buchanan. 0.1 miles, Turn LEFT onto US-11 S. for 1.4 miles, stay straignt onto VA – 43 S. for 0.1 miles, Turn LEFT to stay on VA – 43 S. for 4. miles, Left on the Blue Ridge Parkway north for 5 miles, right on 43 sourth for about 4 miles, right on 682 for 3 miles, right on 680 and right again on 680 for 1 mile, then left at the sign.

Going North on Interstate 81:
Take exit 150 onto Alternate 220 south for 5 miles. Left on 460 East for about 21 miles, Left on 680 north (across from rhino) for 5.5 miles. (If you get to the Bedford city limit sign, then turn around and come back 1/2 mile). At around 4.5 miles, watch for the dog-leg intersection and remain on 680, Left at sign

From Charlottesville:
Take US-29 S toward Lynchburg for 60 miles
Merge onto US-460 W toward Danville / Lynchburg and continue on 460 West bypassing Bedford for 30 miles.
Turn right on 680 north (across from rhino) for 5.5 miles. At around 4.5 miles, watch for the dog leg intersection and remain on 680. Left at sign

From Danville
Take US 29 N for 42 miles.
Take the VA-43 ramp toward Altavista / Leesville for .2 mile.
Turn LEFT onto VA-43 / Bedford Ave. Continue to follow VA-43 N for 15.5 miles.
Turn LEFT onto VA-24 / VA-43 .1 mile.
Turn right on 714 (Falling Creek Rd) for approx. 11 miles.
Turn left on US 460 W. approx 4 miles.
Turn right on 680 north (across from rhino) for 5.5 miles. At around 4.5 miles, watch for the dog leg intersection and remain on 680,
Left at sign

From Martinsville
Take US-220 N toward Roanoke for 21.5 miles.
Take the ramp toward Rocky Mount / Gretna .2 mile
Turn RIGHT onto VA-40 / Franklin St. / Pell Ave. Continue to follow VA-40 / Franklin St. for.9 mile
Turn LEFT onto VA-122 / Booker T. Washington Hwy. Continue to follow VA-122 Nfor 34 miles.
Turn left on 460 W for 2 miles.
Turn right on 680 north (across from rhino) for 5.5 miles. At around 4.5 miles,watch for the dog leg intersection and remain on 680.
Left at sign

From Richmond
Take US-360 W toward Amelia approx 40 miles.
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto VA-307 for 9 miles.
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto US-460 W. for 80 miles.
Turn right on 680 north (across from rhino) for 5.5 miles. At around 4.5 miles,watch for the dog leg intersection and remain on 680.
Left at sign

From Bedford
Take 460 West for 1 mile,
Turn right on 680 for 5.5 miles,
Trun left at entrance sign.

From Blue Ridge Parkway
At milepost 86,
Take 43 South for 4 miles,
Turn right on 682 for 3 miles,
Turn right on 680 for 1 mile,
Left at the entrance sign.