Rappahannock Wine This Spring: Malbec Tastings & Mocktail Classes

Two Reasons Wine Lovers Should Visit the Virginia Foothills This April

The wineries tucked into the hills around Washington, VA and the Madison County border don't always shout the loudest — but this spring, two of them are doing something genuinely worth the drive. Whether you're a dedicated Malbec fan or just curious about what a Virginia winery does with verjus, April 2026 has your weekend planned.

International Malbec Day Vertical Tasting at Quièvremont Vineyard

Quièvremont Vineyard & Winery (162 Gid Brown Hollow Rd, Washington, VA 22747) is hosting an International Malbec Day Vertical Tasting Weekend — a rare opportunity to taste multiple vintages of the same varietal side by side and track how the wine evolves with time in bottle.

Vertical tastings are a favorite of serious wine students and curious enthusiasts alike. Rather than comparing different grapes, you're comparing the same vineyard's expression of Malbec across years — watching how a warm growing season, or a cooler one, shows up in the glass. It's one of the most educational and enjoyable formats in wine, and it's not something most tasting rooms put together regularly.

Quièvremont sits in the shadow of the Blue Ridge on a road that feels genuinely off the beaten path, even by Rappahannock standards. Contact the winery directly for dates, times, and reservation details, as specific scheduling was still being finalized at the time of this writing.

Mocktail Class Using Signature Verjus at Revalation Vineyards

Over in Madison County, Revalation Vineyards (2710 Hebron Valley Rd, Madison, VA 22727) is taking a creative swing with a mocktail class built around their signature verjus — the tart, unfermented grape juice pressed from wine grapes before they fully ripen.

Verjus has a long culinary history and is having a genuine moment right now as an ingredient in both cooking and non-alcoholic drinks. Using it as the centerpiece of a mocktail class is a smart, distinctive move that sets Revalation apart from the standard tasting-room experience. For visitors who don't drink, or who want something different after a morning of wine stops, it's a welcome option.

Revalation sits in the Hebron Valley, a beautiful stretch of farmland and rolling hills that deserves more attention than it gets. Reach out to Revalation directly to confirm class dates and reserve a spot, as registration details were pending at press time.

Round Out the Weekend: Rappahannock Cellars

If you're building a full wine weekend in the area, Rappahannock Cellars (14437 Hume Rd, Huntly, VA) is showing strong momentum this week — three intel updates against a weekly average of just over one. The tasting room at Huntly is a reliable stop, and this week they're even hosting puppy cuddles alongside their regular pours, which is either the best reason or the second-best reason to visit a winery, depending on your priorities.

Getting There

Washington, VA — the tiny, storied village that anchors Rappahannock County's wine and dining scene — sits about 70 miles from Washington, DC. From there, Quièvremont is a short drive into the hills, and Revalation Vineyards adds roughly 30 minutes further south into Madison County. It's a logical loop for a Saturday.

Quièvremont Vineyard & Winery: 162 Gid Brown Hollow Rd, Washington, VA — Malbec Day Vertical Tasting Weekend
Revalation Vineyards: 2710 Hebron Valley Rd, Madison, VA — Mocktail Class with Verjus
Rappahannock Cellars: 14437 Hume Rd, Huntly, VA — Puppy cuddles & spring pours

Call ahead and confirm hours and reservations before you go — these are small, independent operations and details can shift. That's part of what makes them worth visiting.