SperryFest, Puppy Wine Days & More: April in Sperryville
From a Great Rubber Duck Race to a Malbec vertical tasting, here's what's happening in Rappahannock County this April
Spring has settled into the Blue Ridge foothills, and Rappahannock County is making the most of it. Whether you're planning a full weekend getaway from DC or just looking for a Saturday adventure, the next few weeks are stacked with events worth circling on your calendar.
SperryFest Great Rubber Duck Race — April 25
The beloved SperryFest returns to the village of Sperryville on April 25, with the highlight being the annual Great Rubber Duck Race. Before & After Cafe (31 Main St, Sperryville) is among the local spots rallying around the festival. If you've never watched a river full of rubber ducks charge downstream with a cheering crowd on the banks, you're overdue. SperryFest draws families, foodies, and first-timers alike, and the village's walkable Main Street makes for easy browsing between events.
Puppy Cuddles at Rappahannock Cellars
This Saturday, Rappahannock Cellars (14437 Hume Rd, Huntly) is hosting a puppy cuddle event on the grounds — easily one of the more irresistible pairings of wine and adorable you'll find in the Virginia piedmont. The winery has been one of the most active venues in the region this week, with a notable spike in engagement, so expect energy and good pours. Call ahead or check their social channels to confirm timing.
International Malbec Day Vertical Tasting Weekend at Quièvremont
Quièvremont Vineyard & Winery (162 Gid Brown Hollow Rd, Washington, VA) is marking International Malbec Day with a vertical tasting weekend — a rare chance to taste the same grape across multiple vintages and understand how the terroir of this corner of Virginia expresses itself over time. For serious wine lovers making a trip out from Northern Virginia, this is the kind of event worth planning a full weekend around.
Wine Dinner with Brenae Royal of Violets Paradise Wines
Blue Rock Restaurant (12567 Lee Hwy, Washington, VA) has a special wine dinner in the works featuring Brenae Royal of Violets Paradise Wines. Details are still emerging, but Blue Rock's track record for pairing serious winemakers with exceptional food makes this one to watch. Check their website for reservations as the date is confirmed.
YEASTER Event at Pen Druid Brewing — Hopkins Beers Pouring
Pen Druid Brewing (3863 Sperryville Pike) is hosting a YEASTER event with Hopkins beers on tap — a spring celebration of wild fermentation and local craft. Pen Druid has been one of the most active venues in the county this week with five intel items logged, signaling something worth showing up for. The brewery's rustic setting along the Sperryville Pike makes it a natural stop before or after a farmers market visit.
Rappahannock County Farmers Market Season Kicks Off
The Rappahannock County Farmers Market (12018 Lee Highway, Sperryville) is one of the hottest spots in the region right now, logging nine activity items this week across events, general updates, and menu/vendor news. Costellena Farms (147 Riley Hollow Rd, Huntly) is confirmed for April 18, and Waterpenny Farm (53 Waterpenny Lane, Sperryville) is marking its season return at the Takoma Park Farmers Market — a sign that Rappahannock's farm ecosystem is back in full swing.
Easter Sunday Dinner at The Blue Door Kitchen & Inn
For a more elegant spring outing, The Blue Door Kitchen & Inn (675 Zachary Taylor Hwy, Flint Hill) is offering an Easter Sunday three-course dinner with Chef Andrea. This intimate Flint Hill restaurant is exactly the kind of place that makes Rappahannock County a destination rather than a pass-through — call for reservations sooner rather than later.
Mocktail Class at Revalation Vineyards
Just over the county line in Madison, Revalation Vineyards (2710 Hebron Valley Rd, Madison) is hosting a mocktail class using their signature verjus — the tart, pressed grape juice that's become a darling of non-alcoholic cocktail culture. It's a fresh, inclusive event for visitors who want the vineyard experience without the wine, and a genuinely interesting use of an underappreciated ingredient.
Plan Your Visit
Most of these venues are within a 15-minute drive of each other in and around Sperryville and Washington, VA — making it easy to combine two or three stops into one satisfying day. Spring weekends fill up fast in Rappahannock County, especially once word gets out about events like SperryFest and the Malbec tasting weekend. Book lodging early if you're coming from DC.
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