Unmissable Smith Mountain Lake Wineries

Nestled in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains of south-central Virginia is where you’ll find the picturesque Smith Mountain Lake.

While this famous lake is renowned for its clear waters and 500-mile shoreline, it’s also a haven for wine enthusiasts.

With rolling vineyards, stunning lake views, and award-winning wines, the region boasts an array of wineries that are nothing short of spectacular.

In this article, we’ll explore the best Smith Mountain Lake wineries that offer not only exceptional wines but also an unforgettable experience.

Top Smith Mountain Lake Wineries:

Here’s my curated collection of the best Smith Mountain Lake wineries that you simply cannot miss. Enjoy! 🍇

1. Brooks Mill Winery

Just a few minutes away from Westlake Corner in Franklin County, is Brooks Mill Winery, which is a wonderful family owned and operated Smith Mountain Lake winery.

Fun fact: For more than 12 years the owners made fruit wine as a hobby, until they turned their passion into an incredible winery in 2008. Today, Brooks Mill is an award-winning winery renowned for its fruit wines that are made for all tastes and occasions.

Guests have the opportunity to sample their delightful blackberry or blueberry dessert wines, as well as their plum or peach wines – perfect for just about any time of day!

For wine lovers who prefer classic wine tastes, try the dry pear wine (similar to a dry white) and the dry blackberry wine as an alternative to dry red.

I recommend indulging in their wine tasting flights, where you can try six wines for just $5, either inside the tasting room or outside in a relaxed picnic setting. If this isn’t the bargain of the century I don’t know what is!

Details:

Brooks Mill Winery is one of the best Smith Mountain Lake wineries located at: 6221 Brooks Mill Road in Wirtz.

You can contact the owners (H.T. and Rhonda Page) by calling 540-721-5215 or emailing htpage3@embarqmail.com.

Summer Opening hours: Noon to 5pm (Monday to Friday).

More information can be found at brooksmillwine.com.

2. Fables and Feathers

Fables and Feathers is a family operated winery and wonderful new addition to Smith Mountain Lake wineries.

There’s wine for everyone here, from Sweet Rose that tastes like peach and honey to Sadie’s White and Aesop’s Red, which are the most popular choices.

In addition to wine, a variety of beers are served at Fables and Feathers, such as Tom’s Cerveza, Evan’s Ale, and Genny’s Cider.

The location offers outdoor and indoor seating as well as an on-site food truck. Guests are also welcome to bring a picnic basket to accompany their wine.

Details:

Fables and Feathers is one of the best Smith Mountain Lake wineries and located at 2117 Bruno Drive in Goodview.

Summer Opening hours: 11am to 6pm (Monday to Thursday).

The business can be called at 540-420-0916 or emailed at fablesandfeatherswinery@outlook.com.

More information can be found at fablesandfeatherswinery.com.

3. Hickory Hill Vineyards & Winery

Hickory Hill Vineyards is the oldest Smith Mountain Lake winery, which has been growing wine grapes for nearly four decades!

This beautiful vineyard is located in Moneta, just a few minutes from the lake and has won over 80 awards in state, national and international competitions.

Hickory Hill offers vintage, estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a consistent prize-winner. As well as an award-winning “Lake series” of blended grape wines inspired by the natural beauty of the Smith Mountain Lake countryside. And locally grown Merlot and Cabernet Franc round out the tasting selection.

Top tip: Don’t miss Sunset Saturdays, which are a series of music events that include live performances paired with exceptional wine!

Details:

Hickory Hill Vineyards is one of the best Smith Mountain Lake wineries and is located at 1722 Hickory Cove Lane in Moneta.

Summer Opening hours: Noon to 5 pm (Wednesday to Sunday).

The company can be called at 540-296-1393 or emailed at thefurrows@smlwine.com.

More information may be found at www.SMLwine.com.

You can contact the winery through their website to book the picnic area or even arrange for curbside pickup of wines.

4. Ramulose Ridge Vineyards

Ramulose Ridge Vineyards is an award winning Smith Mountain Lake winery that serves fine wines paired with breathtaking hillside views.

This vineyard is located just south of Moneta and so beautiful it’s become the premier wedding venue of Smith Mountain Lake, featuring a 2,200 square-foot event space.

Ramulose Ridge serves wine flights and wine by the glass and bottle, as well as offering cigars and tasty snacks (including cookies, cheese crackers and even pizzas).

The vineyard boasts a diverse selection of wines, from whites such as their Chardonel (a unique blend of Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc), Vidal Blanc, and Viognier, to reds like the zesty Syrah and the ever-popular Cabernet Franc. They also offer semi-sweet options like Muscat and Tendril (a white wine with peach notes), and their flavored Sweet Wine Sippers.

For cigar enthusiasts, the winery offers suggested cigar matches for both their white and red wines, available for tasting on the premises.

Details:

Ramulose Ridge Vineyards is one of the best Smith Mountain Lake wineries and is located at 3061 Hendricks Store Road in Moneta.

Summer Opening hours: 1-6pm (Tuesday to Thursday) and 1-8pm (Friday and Saturday).

The company can be called at 630-485-8941 or emailed at ramuloseridge@msn.com.

More information may be found at ramuloseridgevineyards.com.

5. Seven Doors Winery

Seven Doors Winery is one of the most amazing Smith Mountain Lake wineries, offering organic and biodynamic wines.

Setting itself apart, this winery integrates spirituality with experiences like yoga sessions, wine meditations, and fire festivities!

Seven Doors features a spacious 2,000-square foot tasting room and an outdoor space complete with a sheltered porch and forested pathways, all available for reservations.

This Smith Mountain Lake winery also doubles as a wedding location, providing a stunning cedar wedding arbor, natural wines, fresh flowers, local cuisine, and hometown musicians.

Details:

Seven Doors Winery is one of the best Smith Mountain Lake wineries and is located at 5800 Johnson Mountain Road in Huddleston.

Summer Opening hours: Noon to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Dogs are welcomed, and outside food is encouraged.

The company can be called at 540-605-8745 or emailed at sevendoorswinery@gmail.com.

More information may be found at sevendoorswinery.com.

6. The Homeplace Vineyard

The Homeplace Vineyard is a family-owned and operated winery located about a half hour’s drive southeast of Smith Mountain Lake.

This lovely Vineyard offers a selection of wines that appeal to every palette. Including a trio of distinct dry red wines: the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and their prize-winning spicy Chambourcin, which has a spicy note.

The dry white wines include a velvety Viognier and a fruity Vidal Blanc. Beyond these, the Homeplace Vineyard also offers a selection of blended wines, as well as a standout sweet strawberry wine called the Cabin Sunset (another award winner).

The tasting room at the vineyard is open and offers wine flights and fun events like “Flip-Flop Night” and “Sippin’ Saturday.”

Details:

The Homeplace Vineyard is located at 568 Rigney Cir, Chatham, VA 24531.

Summer Opening hours: Noon to 5pm (Thursday to Saturday).

The company can be called at (434) 432-9463 or emailed at thehomeplacevineyard@yahoo.com.

More information can be found on their website: thehomeplacevineyard.com.

7. Peaks of Otter Winery

An hour’s drive from Westlake Corner, is where you’ll find the delightful Peaks of Otter Winery. 

This family-operated fruit winery is nestled in the same peaks that gave it its name, and offers 25 different wine varieties made from the fruits grown in the farm’s orchard.

Guests have the opportunity to taste an array of wines made from blueberries, blackberries, and apples, as well as unique blends like the Chili Dawg – a fiery concoction of apple and chili!

Besides the diverse range of fruit wines, those visiting the Peaks of Otter Winery can also try fresh seasonal fruits and an assortment of jellies, jams, and butters.

Details:

Peaks of Otter Winery is located at 1218 Elmos Road, Bedford, VA.

Summer Opening hours: 12pm to 5pm, Daily.

The company can be called at 540.586.3707.

More information can be found on their website.

8. Valhalla Vineyards

Located roughly an hour west of Smith Mountain Lake, in the neighbouring Roanoke, is Valhalla Vineyards.

This picturesque winery is perched at a 2000-foot elevation, offering breathtaking views of the Roanoke Valley.

Notably, Valhalla was the pioneer in introducing the Alicante Bouschete grape outside of California and was among the earliest vineyards in Virginia to cultivate the Syrah grape.

The vineyard’s acclaimed wines, often found in publications like Wine Spectator and Decanter Magazine, are meticulously produced following age-old French minimalist methods. Their Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon stand out as crowd-pleasers.

These wines mature underground in the vineyard’s unique barrel cave, situated directly beneath the vineyard. For those interested, Valhalla conducts regular wine tastings in their Cellar Door venue and also provides guided tours of the winery and its intriguing barrel cave.

Details:

Valhalla Vineyards is located at 6500 Mt. Chestnut Road, Roanoke, VA 24018.

Summer Opening hours: Noon to 5pm, Saturdays.

The company can be called at 540.725.9463 or email valhallava@aol.com.

More information can be found on their website.

9. Altillo Vineyards & Winery

Altillo Vineyards & Winery, a quaint family-operated establishment, is situated roughly 30 minutes east of Smith Mountain Lake.

They pride themselves on creating quality wines in small batches, including their distinguished dry Shiraz, which won gold in the 2014 Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition, and their traditional Chardonnay, a 2013 Governor’s Cup Silver recipient.

While Altillo may not be among the biggest vineyards near Smith Mountain Lake, their dedication to artisanal small batches extends to services like custom crushing, bespoke winemaking, and consultations for budding wineries.

Guests at Altillo can enjoy wine tastings in various settings – whether that’s the cozy ambiance of their tasting room, by a warm fire during chillier times, al fresco on their expansive deck, or in a picnic setting within the winery’s grounds.

The tasting experience costs $10, a fee which is offset against your initial bottle purchase.

Details:

Altillo Vineyards & Winery is located at 620 Level Run Road, Hurt, VA.

Open by appointment only. Note: Altillo only accepts cash or check only, no credit cards.

The company can be called at 434-324-4160 or email altillovineyards@yahoo.com.

More information can be found on their website.

Final Thoughts

Smith Mountain Lake isn’t just a water lover’s paradise; it’s a special place made for wine aficionados seeking both exceptional flavours and captivating experiences.

The area’s natural beauty, mild climate, and fresh mountain spring water make it the perfect place for growing a wide range of grape cultivars and varieties.

From traditional vineyards to modern winemaking approaches, each winery brings its unique touch to the local wine scene.

So, whether you’re a dedicated wine connoisseur or simply a casual wine lover, embark on a journey of wine, beauty, and discovery at these incredible Smith Mountain Lake wineries.

Cheers to a glass full of adventure in the Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains! 🍷

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