What's happening across the Virginia Piedmont's wine country.
From Ben Venue Farm fireworks to Castleton Festival opera — how to build the perfect Blue Ridge weekend this summer
Two of the most distinctive events in the Virginia Blue Ridge happen within days of each other this summer: the Castleton Festival kicks off July 1 with world-class classical music and opera, followed by Rappahannock County's beloved July 4th celebration at Ben Venue Farm in Flint Hill.
Three community events — June 26 through July 4 — that define summer in Rappahannock County
From the Amissville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Carnival on June 26 to the July 4th fireworks at Ben Venue Farm in Flint Hill, Rappahannock County's summer event calendar is anchored by community tradition — here's how to plan around all three.
From Sperryville pottery studios and art galleries to vineyard tasting rooms and heritage orchards — a practical guide to planning your visit
Rappahannock County's Blue Ridge foothills are packed with artisan studios, boutique wineries, and heritage farms — but with so many venues in flux this summer, knowing what to call ahead can make or break your trip.
From salt-fired stoneware in Sperryville to landscape paintings in Washington VA — a visitor's guide to the county's creative scene
Rappahannock County has long attracted working artists drawn to its Blue Ridge light and rural quiet — this summer, studios and galleries from Sperryville's River Lane to Washington VA's Gay Street offer an art trail worth building a weekend around.
A practical guide to planning a Blue Ridge getaway from DC this summer — with stops worth the drive
From a craft brewery pouring at seasonal seafood boils to award-winning vineyards at the foot of Old Rag Mountain, Rappahannock County rewards the curious traveler willing to explore beyond the GPS defaults.
Fireworks at Ben Venue Farm, world-class opera at Castleton Estate, and the Amissville Carnival — your complete late-June/July events planner
Three landmark events in nine days make late June and early July the most electric stretch of summer in Rappahannock County — starting with the Amissville Carnival on June 26, followed by the Castleton Festival's opening on July 1, and capping off with fireworks over Ben Venue Farm on the Fourth.
Craft beer at a neighborhood seafood boil, plus the county's most distinctive local venues worth seeking out this summer
Hopkins Ordinary Ale Works recently brought their unfiltered small-batch brews to an Amissville Market seafood boil featuring live music from Smokin' Trout — and it's a perfect reminder of just how much character is packed into Rappahannock County's local venue scene this summer.
A curated visitor's guide to the studios, vineyards, and working farms that define a Blue Ridge weekend — with tips on what to call ahead about
From salt-fired pottery studios on Juba Mountain Lane to award-winning vineyards at the foot of Old Rag, Rappahannock County packs a remarkable density of experiences into a small Blue Ridge footprint — but several beloved spots haven't posted publicly in some time, so a quick call before you go can save the trip.
A fresh summer 2026 itinerary through Rappahannock County's galleries, vineyards, and working farms — with what to know before you go
From a pottery studio on Main Street to a vineyard at the foot of Old Rag Mountain, Rappahannock County packs a remarkable range of experiences into a small footprint — but some venues may have changed. Here's a honest, up-to-date summer 2026 guide to navigating it all.
From vineyard cottages to art studios, these Rappahannock spots have deep roots — but may need a call before you visit
Rappahannock County has long been home to a remarkable constellation of small wineries, working farms, art studios, and historic inns — but before you plan your summer 2026 visit, a few phone calls could save you a wasted trip.
From fireworks at Ben Venue Farm to world-class opera at Castleton Estate — two unmissable events still on the calendar
Two landmark events anchor summer in Rappahannock County this July: the Castleton Festival brings international-caliber opera and classical music to the historic Castleton Estate beginning July 1, while the annual July 4th Celebration at Ben Venue Farm in Flint Hill lights up the sky with fireworks on Saturday, July 4.
From the Amissville Carnival to Fourth of July fireworks and the Castleton Festival — everything a DC-area visitor needs to plan a summer trip
Rappahannock County packs three must-attend community events into a single summer stretch — starting with the Amissville Carnival on June 26 and culminating in Fourth of July fireworks at Ben Venue Farm on July 4. Here's how to plan your visit.
From a salt-fired pottery studio to a vineyard at the foot of Old Rag, these lesser-known Rappahannock County destinations reward the curious traveler
Rappahannock County has always rewarded visitors willing to slow down and look closely. This summer, a handful of quietly enduring spots — a salt-fired pottery studio, a vineyard at Old Rag's foot, a craft distillery producing grape-based spirits — are worth tracking down before you arrive.
A candid look at which beloved spots have gone quiet — and what that means for your weekend trip planning
From Sperryville pottery studios to Washington VA wineries, dozens of Rappahannock County venues have gone dark on social media — some for years. Before you plan your summer weekend, here's an honest look at the region's shifting landscape.
From vineyard tasting rooms to artisan studios, here's how to spend a long weekend in Virginia's most scenic wine country this June and July
Rappahannock County's wine country is packed with tasting rooms, farm stops, and artisan studios this summer — but several beloved venues may have changed their status. Here's what to know before you go.
Fireworks at Ben Venue Farm, world-class opera at Castleton Estate, and a small-town carnival — three landmark summer events within miles of each other
From the Amissville Carnival on June 26 to the Castleton Festival's international opera on July 1 and fireworks over Ben Venue Farm on July 4, Rappahannock County is stacking one unmissable event after another this summer.
From the Amissville Carnival on June 26 to July 4th fireworks at Ben Venue Farm and the Castleton Festival opening July 1
Three community events are anchoring the Rappahannock County summer calendar this year: the Amissville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Carnival on June 26, the internationally acclaimed Castleton Festival opening July 1, and July 4th fireworks at Ben Venue Farm in Flint Hill.
Steamed shrimp, crab legs, mussels, and live music from Smokin' Trout at the Amissville Market this Saturday
On Saturday, June 8, Hopkins Ordinary Ale Works is pouring craft brews alongside steamed shrimp, crab legs, and mussels at the Amissville Market's first seafood boil of the season — with live music from Smokin' Trout running 5 to 8pm.
From working farms and craft breweries to classical music and July fireworks — a practical visitor's guide to the region this summer
Rappahannock County's summer 2026 calendar is anchored by three marquee community events — the Amissville Carnival on June 26, the Castleton Festival opening July 1, and the July 4th fireworks at Ben Venue Farm — plus a constellation of wineries, farms, and artisan venues worth planning around.
Which wineries, farms, art studios, and eateries are worth a call before you make the drive from DC
Summer weekends in Rappahannock County are worth every mile of the drive from DC — but a handful of beloved local venues have gone quiet recently, with some showing no social activity for nearly three years. Here's what savvy visitors need to know before they pack the cooler.
From vineyard tasting rooms at the foot of Old Rag to a 70-year-old orchard in Woodville — here's what to know before you drive out
Sharp Rock Vineyards sits at the foot of Old Rag Mountain at 5 Sharp Rock Rd in Sperryville — but like several beloved Rappahannock-area venues, it's worth a phone call before you make the drive this summer.
From vineyard tasting rooms to orchard roads and art studios — what's worth exploring this summer in Virginia's Blue Ridge foothills
From a family vineyard at the foot of Old Rag Mountain to a 30-year native plant nursery and a historic B&B in the heart of Washington VA, Rappahannock County rewards visitors who do a little homework before they go. Here's what to know for summer 2026.
Three unmissable events from late June through July 4th — including a free community carnival, a world-class opera festival, and fireworks over the Blue Ridge
From a volunteer fire department carnival on June 26 to world-class opera at Castleton Estate on July 1 and fireworks at Ben Venue Farm on July 4th, Rappahannock County's late June and early July calendar is stacked.
From a community carnival and world-class opera to Fourth of July fireworks at a historic farm — your summer calendar for Rappahannock County and surrounds
Three can't-miss community events are anchoring summer 2026 in Rappahannock County and the surrounding region: the Amissville Carnival on June 26, the prestigious Castleton Festival opening July 1, and the beloved Fourth of July fireworks at Ben Venue Farm on July 4.