By Nancy Bauer

Warm up in wine country

5 Loudoun wineries that will warm your soul this winter

Steve Carell’s hot wax scene in the 40-Year-Old Virgin is an apt metaphor for 2017, but it wasn’t all misery: Finally, Virginia’s long-suffering grape growers were rewarded with a copious crop and, for many, a vintage year. It is seasons like 2017’s that inspire dreamers to invest in the industry with new vineyards, and that salves the wounds of old hands still smarting from the widespread losses of chardonnay and other early bloomers during the late frosts of 2016.

As for the rest of 2017, let’s toast to leaving that one in the rear-view. Later, Bucky. Buh-bye, Felicia.

It’s time to focus on rejuvenation, Virginia-wine style, with a full winter’s worth of backroad drives and welcoming hearths. So we asked an expert to help us kick off 2018’s Grapevine column.

Jennifer Buske works in the Loudoun County tourism office, and she’s rounded up some Northern Virginia wineries with big fireplaces and homemade soup. Warm thanks to Jen for the travel tips, and warm wishes to all of you for a happy, healthy, cheer-filled new year.

While winter brings colder weather and occasional wishes for warmer days, there are so many wonderful aspects to this blustery season.

For starters, there is nothing better than sitting by a cozy fire, listening to the crackling of the wood and soaking in the warmth of the dancing flames. It’s also the perfect time of year for enjoying red wine while watching the snow fall and for savoring the flavors and smells that come along with a warm bowl of soup.

This winter season enjoy toasty fires, hot soups and true Southern hospitality in Loudoun, VA where many of the county’s 40 wineries stay open year-round, offering award-winning wine by the fireplace and homemade comfort foods.

Here are five places to warm up in Loudoun’s wine country this winter.

8 Chains North

Settle into the oversized cushion chairs in front of the fireplace at this winery located just minutes from both historic Leesburg and downtown Purcellville. The winery offers six wines for a tasting plus an optional chocolate pairing where visitors can indulge in specialty truffles created specifically to pair with winemaker Ben Renshaw’s wines.

Stone Tower Winery

At Stone Tower, visitors will feel like they are relaxing in their own living room as the winery is filled with cozy couches, chairs, coffee tables, rugs and both indoor and outdoor fireplaces. Located on top of Hogback Mountain, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Virginia countryside while sipping a Bordeaux-style blend or their Blanc de Blancs sparkling, which is 100% Chardonnay and created in the traditional méthode champenoise style.

Winery 32

While Winery 32 has an indoor fireplace, it is known for its warm soups and homemade chili that are perfect for a blustery winter day. Winemaker and Owner Michael Moosher is also a chef and the winery prides itself on being one of the few in Loudoun to offer a menu on site. Despite the name, this winery is not the 32^nd to open in Loudoun; instead it gets its name from a series of other coincidences in the owners’ lives. The winery is located on 32 acres of land, there are 32 peach trees growing along the driveway up to the tasting room and the owners planted their vines on their 32^nd wedding anniversary.

Hiddencroft Vineyards

Located in a circa 1850s farmhouse, this winery just celebrated its 10^th vintage in May 2017. Visitors love Hiddencroft in the winter for the oversized fire pit surrounded by chairs on the outdoor patio. People also visit this time of year to purchase their specialty wines like Grandma’s love potion (blueberry wine) and Grandpa’s Fantasy (Blueberry port), which make great holiday gifts. Return in spring for the new progressive history and wine tour, which takes visitors through the 19^th century smokehouse, springhouse and other historic buildings on site.

Otium Cellars

Otium Cellars is a unique Loudoun winery as it uses the Virginia terroir to grow traditional German varietals including Dornfelder, Lemberger and Grau Burgunder, which is a German clone of Pinot Gris. Savor a glass of Dornfelder- a red wine, with hints of plum, cherries and blackberries, while sitting by the brick fireplace. Visitors can also get a glimpse of the beautiful horses that are at neighboring Goose Creek Farms, a private equestrian facility.

Whether looking for a place to spend time with friends or somewhere to connect with family, these five options are just a small sampling of wineries to visit this winter season offering fireplaces and comfort foods. Below are more options to consider and, don’t forget to share your Loudoun experience on social media with #LoveLoudoun.

Enjoy a Glass by the Fire at One of these Fantastic Loudoun Wineries

Breaux Vineyards

Bluemont Vineyards

The Barns at Hamilton Station

North Gate Vineyard

Casanel Vineyards

Corcoran Vineyards and Cidery

Doukenie Winery

Fabbioli Cellars

Tarara Winery

The Vineyards & Winery at Lost Creek

Zephaniah Farm Vineyard