Paradise Springs Winery

    It was a rainy but cool Saturday, so we decided to pack up some snacks and head to the closest winery.  Paradise Springs Winery is located in Clifton, Virginia where it's not unusual to see houses dating back to the mid 1800's and absolutely no traffic lights.  Much of the town still maintains its history dating back to  the Civil War when Union soldiers were stationed to guard against Confederate invasion.  Having a railroad crossing so close, the town proceeded to grow after the Civil War and become what it is today.

    The grounds on which the winery is located date back even further.  The land was once a portion of the grant from Lord Fairfax in 1716 to the family, and much of this land has been kept in the family.  In 2007, the winery opened and produced its first vintage, the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.  The winery's name, Paradise Springs Winery, originated from the springs on the west side of Clifton.  In 1910, these springs gave rise to bottled water, and although this business is no longer present, the winery has taken over beverage production in the area.  If you can't have water, why not drink wine?

    When you pull into the winery grounds, the first building you see is a log cabin first built between 1800 and 1825 and later renovated in 1955.  On the other side of the lane is a field of grapes, signature to any winery.  The tasting room is large and elegant with a terrace overlooking the wooded area.  This is where we sat and listened to the band, indulged on some wine, and ate some cheese.  Life on a rainy day just doesn't get much better.

The tasting room.

The log cabin.

Grrrrrrrapes!!!

Da' Band.

Our responsibilities for the day....one not pictured :)

Rainy days don't get them down!