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Guide to Virginia

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Where to Stay

1804 Inn & Vineyard Cottage
This painstakingly restored Jefferson-era home with adjacent cottage, furnished in original antiques, is impossibly romantic. Barboursville Vineyards; 434/760-2212; the 1804inn.com; doubles from $325.

Boar’s Head Inn
A resort centered around an old gristmill, near downtown Charlottesville and a perfect starting point for a day of wine touring. 200 Ednam Dr., Charlottesville; 434/296-2181; boarsheadinn.com; doubles from $185.

Where to Eat

Grandale Farm Restaurant
Perhaps the best thing about visiting Breaux Vineyards is this 32-seat restaurant across the street. The chef, Author Clark Jr., takes homegrown ingredients and adds just enough creativity to turn familiar dishes into memorable meals. 14001 Harpers Ferry Rd., Purcellville; 540/668-6000; dinner for two $94.

Inn at Little Washington
Sumptuous, if rather overdecorated, and Patrick O’Connell’s cooking is justifiably famous. Tuna sashimi is paired with cucumber sorbet; medallions of rabbit loin are wrapped in house-cured pancetta. The massive wine list includes local selections. Washington; 540/675-3800; dinner for two $300.

Palladio Restaurant
Melissa Close may be the region’s most underrated chef, and service is impeccable, with an actual Italian de Medici as maître d’. Barboursville Vineyards; 540/832-7848; dinner for two $140.

Where to Sip

Barboursville Vineyards
Owned by Italy’s wine-producing Zonin family. Palladio Restaurant and the 1804 Inn are on the grounds. 17655 Winery Rd., Barboursville; 540/832-3824; barbours villewine.com.

Breaux Vineyards
A home winemaker turned commercial producer on a 400-acre hillside estate. The Merlot-dominated Meritage may be the best Bordeaux-style blend made east of the Mississippi. 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Purcellville; 540/668-6299; breauxvineyards.com.

Linden Vineyards
Handcrafted wines by an obsessed perfectionist include Virginia’s best Chardonnay. 3708 Harrels Corner Rd., Linden; 540/364-1997; lindenvineyards.com.

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