Wines and Weddings at Keswick Vineyards
Cody Clark, staff writer
Keswick Vineyards is eight miles off of Interstate 64. The first grapes were planted in 2000 and the first vintage was bottled in 2002. The vineyard has a tasting room and an area that can be used for private parties. Weddings are the most common private event held at the vineyard. The venue can hold up to 200 people. Reservations should be made one year in advance.
The property has beautiful grounds, which includes a pond that is home to a black swan, whites swans, geese, and ducks. Inside the tasting room, you will be greeted by one of sommeliers who are knowledgeable with all the wines. Wine tastings cost $6 per person.
The vineyard has 16 wines to choose from; however, only ten are available for tasting. The tasting room provides bar stools for the customers to use while tasting or drinking purchased wine. There is also a large outdoor patio, part of which is screened in, to drink purchased wine. The winery also hosts several musical artists throughout the year.
The wines are made from Keswick grown grapes whenever possible; however, sometimes grapes need to be imported from other vineyards throughout Virginia, California, and Washington state. Grapes are usually only outsourced if problems arise, such as an early frost or excessive rainfall.
Though I was unable to taste the wine myself, I brought my mother with me. She has been to many wineries before, including Napa Valley, and tasted hundreds of wines. She tasted all of the available wines and said, “I drink sparkling wine and red wine only. However, when tasting wine, I do sample all wines offered. I generally end up disappointed with the white and rose’ wines. At the Keswick winery, for the first time, I actually enjoyed and even purchased the chardonnay and rose’ wine. I found all of the offered wines enjoyable.”
Keswick Vineyards also offers a special rewards club. The two most popular levels are silver and gold. Silver membership costs $75 every month and members will get three bottles of wine a month and a 20 percent discount on other wines. Gold membership costs $50 a month and members will get two bottles of wine a month and a 25 percent discount on other wines. All members get free tastings. Club members will be invited to special club events, such as the Consensus Blending Party, where club members group into teams to create their own wine.
The Keswick Vineyards is a great place for wine lovers and the memberships are well worth their price. The grounds are beautiful and even if you do not enjoy the wine there are special events open for all. The tasting room is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday.
