This past week a group of blogger girlfriends and I packed up and headed north to Charlottesville, Virginia. As if we weren’t excited enough about all that we had planned for the week, when we found out that we would be traveling in the BMW X5 from Century BMW it took it to another level. We put Paula’s playlist on shuffle, packed the roomy cargo space with lots of luggage and took off for our smooth ride ahead. The leather seating that conforms to your body was perfect for the 6 hour drive.
A few hours later we pulled into a town thats best known for it’s college life, where the perfect hotel sits right on the corner of campus on W Main, Graduate Charlottesville. When you walk in the front doors you can feel the youthful spirit and smell the delicious aroma of the coffee shop which is right in front of you to your left, where the students all come to grab a cup of joe while studying. When you check in you will be given a room key that looks like a student id. The photo on the front of each room key is Payton Manning’s wife, Amy Thompson who attended UVA. The decor is a mix of vintage and classic. The old fashioned black and white photos line the hallways up to the game room on the 2nd floor where you will find everything from foosball to ping pong tables surrounding a bar and velvet booths where you can grab a cocktail while watching everyone enjoy the games. The guest rooms are a good size and when we arrived I first noticed the navy and green plaid carpets, brass hardware and the lunch box that was sitting on the desk full of delicious treats.
You don’t have to go far to grab a quick delicious panini and coffee for breakfast downstairs at Sheepdog Cafe. This was our daily stop each morning before hitting the vineyards. And right upstairs on the 8th floor you will find the Rooftop Bar + Restaurant, Heirloom, which if full of farm life folklore and charm. The Garden Cocktail which is a combo of Strange Monkey gin and strawberry lavender shrub was absolutely delicious and you can’t leave this place without getting an order of the Kennebec Fries.
There are more than enough vineyards and tasting rooms to choose from but we found the most amazing views at Pippin Hill Farms in North Garden, Virginia which was about a 20 minute drive from The Graduate. We were greeted by Diane who does all of the gardening on the property and showed us to our table looking over the vineyards. The strawberry pink Summer Farm Rosé helped to cool off our body temperatures as the weather was warmer than we had expected. The chef, Ian came out to go over the menu and we opted for him to surprise us with his favorite dishes. We started with my top pick, the charcuterie board that was full of delicious bold cheeses, meats and the most amazing figs that melt in your mouth. Next, I ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc to go along with the peking duck and fresh vegetables straight from the gardens. The food kept coming and the wine kept flowing before we met with Diane again for the Garden Tour. She let us sample the sweetest strawberries and the most amazing mini tomatoes I have ever tasted. After a few glasses of vino we headed to their sister restaurant, Red Pump Kitchen which offers delicious, tuscan-inspired dishes. It’s the perfect spot of small plates after a long day at the wineries.
Dress: Asos | Shoes: Jessica Simpson | Bag: Gucci
Our next vineyard stop was King Family Vineyards. This place was everything you could ever ask for. King Family sits at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains with the most amazing views you will ever see. We joined Tiernan to sample the wines in the tasting room which sits across from the polo field where they host Polo Matches each Sunday. We started with the Viognier which blew me away. I am typically a red wine drinker so I was surprised and how much I loved this one. I made sure to grab a few bottles to take back home with me. If you ever get the chance to visit, just ask for the “Vio” and they will think you are a regular!
We partnered with some of our favorite brands for the trip, including Southern Tide which is a company that started in Greenville and launched their women’s line just a few seasons back. They offer everything from preppy plaid shirts to sporty active wear. We chose our favorite styles and wore them all week long.
Country Club Prep kept me cozy all weekend in my new Dubarry Jacket. I am wearing the Swift Ladies Waterproof Jacket. Their shop is located just a few miles from the campus and they offer a wide range of brands for men and women! Some of my favorites include this cashmere sweater by Lisa Todd, this plaid shirt dress and this Barbour scarf.
Bed to Brunch knew how to keep us comfy on our trip in their silky pant sets. It’s certainly a vacay when you can go straight from your hotel room to the upstairs bar for a mimosa in the clothing that you slept in!
Jon Hart Design helped us travel in style with their Weekender. Make sure to head over to my Instagram to enter to win Jon Hart luggage of your own!
Dress: Mink Pink | Bag: Gucci | Earrings: Anthropologie
Thanks to my girls, Paula Rallis, Alex Carreno and Angela Zion for making this a trip of a lifetime! Until next time, Charlottesville. We will be back very soon for some more delicious grapes.
All photos by Angela Zion
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Such a fun trip! Love traveling with ya, sweet friend! xo
I wish we were back there now, sipping wine in the vineyards. Love you sweet friend!
You’re like, really cool. So glad we’re friends. Now where next?
You, my friend are the coolest. Next trip, here we come!