By Frank Britt

Naked Mountain Winery

For over forty years, Naked Mountain Winery and Vineyards has been serving some of the finest wines Virginia has to offer. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Fauquier County, the winery is just under an hour west of Washington, DC. It is the perfect destination for award-winning wines and bucolic views of the countryside. Surrounded by peach and apple orchards, Naked Mountain is not only a destination for wine lovers, but for families looking to make a day trip into the country as well.

Despite being one of Virginia’s oldest wineries, Naked Mountain actually has a very youthful presence. The proprietors, Randy and Meagan Morgan, are not typical winery owners. It was after a tasting with friends in 2010 that the Morgans, then in their late 20’s, decided to take a run at purchasing the well-known and established vineyard. Bob and Phoebe Harper, the founders of Naked Mountain, saw some of the same spark in Randy and Meagan that they had when they planted the property in the 70’s, and decided to entrust the Morgans with the future of their winery.

Since 2010

To Randy and Meagan, wine was always something their friends were uncomfortable talking about, and that was something they wanted to change. The staff at Naked Mountain has made it their mission to make Virginia wines more approachable and to talk about wine in terms both novices and oenophiles can understand. They strive to pair their wines with every-day foods and explain the process of wine making in both a fun and instructive manner.

The Vineyards

The vineyards at Naked Mountain have undergone renovations in the past few years, with the replanting of two acres of Chardonnay as well as the replanting of almost an acre of Riesling. A separate vineyard just down Leeds Manor Road has also been planted with Chardonnay and Petit Verdot, a grape varietal making a robust Virginia red wine. Additional plantings are also in the works for 2016 on that same vineyard site as well as another in Delaplane, Virginia.

Visit Naked Mountain

Randy and Meagan Morgan will host the first annual “Light Up the Mountain” event on December 12 from 5:00 to 7:00.  The featured wine that evening will be Mistletoe, a medium bodied red wine with hints of spice. The holiday celebration will include mulled wine, live holiday music, illumination of the winery grounds, and lighting of the seasonal yule log.  The $20 per person fee includes a tasting of Naked Mountain wines, a commemorative glass, and seasonal snack plate.  Reservations are required.

The winery tasting room is open from 11-5 daily, with longer weekend hours starting in the spring. Visit and enjoy the ski chalet style tasting room for a tasting, or indulge in their Lasagna Lunches, catered by Chef Eric Stamer, Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays from January through March. The winery also hosts Winemaker’s Dinners, where Chef Stamer works with the winery to create an evening of delicious wines and fine foods.

And don’t forget, DRINK NAKED!

Naked Mountain Winery & Vineyards                                                                                                                                  

2747 Leeds Manor Road-Markham, VA 22643                                                                                        

540-364-1609                                                                                                                                     http://www.nakedmountainwinery.com