There’s nothing quite like the therapeutic ritual of lounging at the water’s edge with a glass of wine or a cold brew, and the experience only gets better with small-batch, handcrafted libations. Fortunately for beer and wine enthusiasts, Smith Mountain Lake is surrounded by several top-notch breweries and vineyards, some close by and all within driving distance.
So go ahead and take a trip to one of these fine establishments for a tasting. We’ve included an interactive map at the end of the post to guide your way. There are several other great vineyards in the area that you can google: Brooks Mill Winery, Peaks of Otter Winery, and Chateau Morrisette.
Note: Sunken City is not listed on GPS or Google Maps. However, if you enter “Westlake Towne Center, Hardy, VA” into your map service or GPS, it will take you within sight of the brewery.
Sunken City Brewery
Just a short drive from the water, Sunken City Brewery artfully produces three varieties of microbrew craft beer – the Red Clay IPA, Smith Mountain Lake Dam Lager, and Sunken City Brown Porter. During the fall and winter months, they also produce two rich seasonal brews, a winter ale, and a harvest lager.
After operating for just under a year, Sunken City has earned a place in the hearts of Smith Mountain Lake beer enthusiasts and casual sippers alike. Visitors are welcome at the brewery tap room, where limited-run brews and snacks are served. Hours are available at http://sunkencitybeer.com/.
Valhalla Vineyard
Valhalla Vineyard has been producing award-winning wines for discerning palates in the Roanoke Valley for nearly 15 years. For the cost of a tour, vineyard visitors can sample five wines of their choice, get a glimpse of the Valhalla aging process in an authentic cave storage space, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the vineyard.
Photo by Derek Gavey
Tours and tastings are by appointment only, so plan if you’re interested in stopping by. Learn more by visiting Valhalla on the web at http://www.valhallawines.com/.
Hickory Hill Vineyard
Undoubtedly the vineyard with the strongest roots in Smith Mountain Lake, Hickory Hill has been crafting wine in the area for over 30 years. Taking pride in their local heritage, Hickory Hill’s proprietors are dedicated to growing, processing, and aging all of their wine within Moneta County borders.
The Hickory Hill tasting room is open Wednesday-Sunday between April and October. During the rest of the year, tastings are held on Saturdays only. For detailed information on Hickory Hill wines and business hours, visit them online at http://www.smlwine.com/.
Ramulose Ridge Vineyards
Ramulose Ridge Vineyards is known for its estate-crafted wine and gorgeous views. They are located at 3061 Hendricks Store Rd, Moneta, VA, and are open 7 days a week.
Ramulose has indoor and outdoor seating and they welcome dogs as long as they are on a leash and well-behaved. They can be reached for questions at 540-797-6056. They are available for private events, both during normal business hours and during days when we are closed to the public.
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