Cave Ridge Vineyard

My husband and I visited Cave Ridge this weekend after Luray Caverns and before spending the night in Woodstock. We enjoyed our tasting and all of the wines were good. The sweet wines were better than any other sweet wines I’ve ever had. After the tasting we ordered a bowl of the Jerk Chicken Chili and a bottle of the Chambourcin and went upstairs for live music by Andrew O’Day. It was such a nice room with a fire and the music was great. This is definitely on the list of wineries I would return to.

We went to Cave Ridge yesterday on New Years Day. They weren’t doing tastings, but we were able to get wine flights, which was fine by us– everyone got to choose which wines they wanted to try based on knowledgable recommendations from the staff. We took our flights upstairs to their common area, which was so warm and cozy. They had the fireplace going and we sat on couches near the fireplace. Another member of the staff (possibly the owner) came up to us and wished us a happy new year and asked where we were from, which was so nice. The best part for me was that they allowed us to bring our small dog inside with us, as it would have been way too cold to sit outside.
Our favorites were the Traminette (white) and Cabernet Franc (red).
We are already looking forward to coming back in spring or summer when we can sit outside and enjoy the beautiful view.

We stopped here since we were in the neighborhood seeing the caverns. Great wines (we took the port home)
I liked the selection and variety, whether you’re a white or red drinker, something there for you.
I bet it’s amazing in the warm months, big patio space great views.
Location wise if feels like you’re driving through the back woods for a bit on a (WHY!!!) narrow one lane gravel road. Just keep driving and you’ll get there.

We had taken a jaunt down to Shenandoah valley for the caverns and then a vineyard or 2 on the way back.
We stopped in here. It is definitely a trip off the highway. IT took us a while to get there. IF we had been in the mood there appeared to be at least 3 others in the area.
We were greeted warmly and offered a full tasting or just the basic
We went with the full since we enjoy red wines more than whites.
The location is great and beautiful! In the middle of the woods, plenty of outdoor seating, tables and chairs and the views! (we’ll be back in the warmer weather!)
Here are my tasting notes (just my opinions mainly for future use!)
We found a couple we enjoyed and hubby bought a bottle of their port:
Traminette 2014 — very tasty and drinkable
Viognier 2014 — just ok
Riesling 2014 — drinkable and tasty
Chambourcin — to dry for me
Syrah — supposed to be the best in the state — just ok for me
Mount Jackson Rouge — very nice desert wine
Fossil Hill Reserve — enjoyed quite a bit
Cab Franc — just ok (but i love another, so none can compare!)
La Petit Traminette — not as good as the regular
Frandang — the one hubby liked and we got a bottle of. I can’t often drink ports, and this one i could, so that is exciting for the household!

We live in the DC area and really enjoy tasting a variety of wines. After trips to Napa the past two summers, we’ve been trying to get out to wineries in different parts of MD and VA — have spent a couple of different days in Loudoun County, a day in Frederick County, MD, a weekend in Charlottesville (and surrounding area) and wanted to try a couple of the wineries on our leisurely drive home from Blacksburg earlier this week. We stopped at Bluestone Vineyard and had a great experience and (of course) bought a few bottles of wine (as we typically do when we find wines we enjoy, to support the local businesses). We decided to head to Cave Ridge next, despite the fact that it is a bit of a drive off of I-​81 (out of our way), so we checked the website for hours (it said they were open until 5:30 and our trusty GPS said we’d be there by 5:10, plenty of time for a brief tasting and then a couple more bottles to round out our wine cooler). Imagine our surprise/​disappointment when we made the drive and walked in (at 5:10), only to be told that they were closed and the wine was already put away (apparently «put away» means they’ve put the plastic stoppers in the top, because they were sitting on the counter right in front of us). The employee had the nerve to then tell us that we could buy some bottles to go. With all of the nice wineries opening up in many regions of VA, I will gladly spend my money at wineries who appreciate their customers and would suggest others do the same.

Really poor customer service!
We drove 45 min to this remote winery only to be turned away at the door because they have changed their hours — and we were 5 min past their new hours. The old hours were still online & posted on their sign on the street. Adding insult was :“All our bottles are closed.” The bottles had the rubber stoppers and were sitting on the counter in front of us.

I believe the Red Silk is the best red wine in VA. All the wines are good but that one in particular is my favorite. My husband and I have been wine tasting in VA for the last 10 years and we are a big fan of this wine maker.

I’ve been to this vineyard twice now, December 26, 2014 and again on July 15, 2015. Both tastings were delightful.
In December, we were lucky enough to be there when the owner was doing the tasting. He gave us nice pointers for how to «taste» red wines. I purchased a bottle of a reserve sweet red wine. My friends and I also purchased glasses of their mulled red wine and enjoyed them upstairs by the fire. AWESOME mulled wine.
In July I took my husband for a tasting. We really enjoyed the personable tasting. My husband liked seeing the fossils that were found on the grounds.
We purchased a bottle of the Mt. Jackson Rouge.

I always enjoy my visits to Cave Ridge Vineyard and the other couple of wineries in the immediate Shenandoah Valley area — Kindred Point and Wolfgap. Randy, the owner, really knows a great deal about Virginia viticulture and provides a lively atmosphere for his satisfied customers.

We stopped in after visiting nearly all the other wineries in the Shenandoah Wine Trail and we were very happy to have come here!
The staff was VERY knowledgeable and friendly and accommodating! As we were doing our tasting, they made great suggestions and gave good examples. They grow many of their own grapes to make most all their wines. They also have a nice selection of reds and red blends and their ChardiVie is very nicely done!
The grounds are nicely kept with a beautiful seating and patio area outside near a lovely fountain.
Prices are a little on the higher end of midway, but not too expensive.
You definitely need to give them a try!

This is by far the best lite boutique winery in Virginia. Randy Phillips owner wine maker has the best Viogner and Cab Franc yet. Go try his Fossil Hills Reserve Franc. His chili meals go perfect. Hospitality of staff great. Join the wine club. You won’t be disappointed.

I found the staff friendly and knowledgeable. They seemed to go out of their way to help us. The wines were the best of three in a small area. By this I mean Shenandoah and Wolf gap Vineyards. I think it is worthwhile to stop at this winery if you are in the area. I am sure you can find something worthwhile to buy at a reasonable price. Not outstanding views but ok.

Nice selection of wines. The staff was friendly. Enjoyed our picnic lunch on their patio, with music entertainment on a Saturday afternoon.

I absolutely love wine tasting in the Shenandoah Valley. The people are friendly, the wines are good, and the atmosphere doesn’t get much better.
Cave Ridge was the first stop on a three winery tour with a friend of mine on Saturday afternoon. As a note, our GPS told us we had «arrived at our destination» at some random farm next door. Continue going around the bend and there’s a beautiful sign that will confirm the correct location of the winery :)
There were two tasting options, and we ended up going for the full tasting ($ 10). I am not a white wine kind of guy, but I really didn’t care for any of the whites. The reds were better. My friend purchased a bottle of the 2010 Merlot, and I bought a 2010 Chambourcin. (If you’re new to the Shenandoah wine experience, Chambourcin is a common wine you’ll find in this area that is fantastic. Definitely worth looking into.) The Fossil Hill Reserve was also quite good (an award winner, I believe), and the Fandango was a delicious (and STRONG) dessert wine infused with grain alcohol.
Our wine tasting guide was very helpful and had a nice personality. The winery itself is beautiful, and it’s got a great location. The biggest reason for the 3 stars is just that there wasn’t enough that I liked here for me to want to come back multiple times. It’s absolutely a good stop on the wine trail, and I may make a point to come back at some point in the future.

During my recent stay at Bryce, I spent Saturday afternoon visiting a couple of wineries. Cave Ridge was first on my list.
I opted for the full wine tasting. We started with the whites — and then moved on to the reds.
The only wine that resonated with me was the 2011 Riesling. I am more of a red wine drinker — but I did not find any of their reds really making me say «Wow! — I need to drink this again!»
The tasting room is nicely appointed, and the small courtyard outside features a fountain and some tables and chairs. A nice view overlooking east towards the Massanutten Mountains can he had here.
Staff were very friendly and nice.

Very lovely location. Good wine and informative. $ 5 tasting +$ 1 if you try the port style (which was very tasty.) I felt comfortable asking questions and I got informed responses. They also have food and outdoor and indoor seating and there was a group there who seemed to enjoy it.

Another weekend, another group of wineries to visit …
On our way to Roanoke for a surprise birthday party for my brother (he was surprised) and we decided to take advantage of the numerous wineries along the way.
The tasting room is quite nice and the staff friendly and informative. I must say, given the scoring system used by my wife, the wines here were very good. We purchased a bottle of the 2009 Cab Franc which we will hold until sometime in 2013. We also enjoyed the 2009Fossil Hill Reserve as well as the 2011 Riesling (very refreshing on a hot day).
One interesting note — we enjoy wine tasting not only for the wine but for the opportunity to meet people who are interested in having a good time. We met a couple here who lived a mile from our house in Avon Lake, Ohio (we lived there for 4 years before moving to NJ) and frequented a place called Close Quarters, which I have reviewed. They even knew our favorite bartender and took a picture of us along with greetings. It is a small world, indeed.

Really enjoyed the tasting here: it was inexpensive, informative without being overly formal, and the wines were very good. The port was especially memorable.
The building is just lovely. The large room upstairs was cozy even in January, thanks to lots of sunlight and a roaring fire.
We had a great time, and look forward to visiting again.

3.5 stars.
The wine here is above average. The Syrah is pretty good, and they had a meritage (I think) that was also good. I thought the tasting room was a little bare-​bones, and did not have that great of views, even though the winery is in a nice setting.

I really like this place. Almost tempted to say 4 stars, but I’ll leave a little room for improvement. They do all their wines well, the staff is friendly and welcoming and its just a nice place to be. They have recently renovated the whole place, and its nice and new but still has the rustic feel you’d expect out in the Shenandoah valley amongst thousand of vines.
They do Syrah best. Perhaps throughout the state. I’m not sure, I’ll have to think about that. Its both bold and smooth, dry and refreshing. This is a great place to visit for a tasting and then to hang out afterward. Strongly recommended.