A NEW LUXURY BUS LINE TRANSPORTS LOCALS TO LOUDOUN COUNTY WINERIES

A snazzy new minibus in town whisks away weekend drinkers to three popular wineries in Loudoun County and gets them back to D.C. by dinnertime.

Vineyard Voyages is designed to eliminate the need for a designated driver — and paying for gas or multiple Ubers — with round-trip tickets starting at $79.99 per person. The pick-up and drop-off point is the (Orange line) West Falls Church Metro stop’s bus area. The 7-hour excursion, from start to finish, runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

The 18-seater’s maiden voyage is Saturday, May 18. Seasonal tours operate Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July). The vineyard-hopping excursion makes 60- or 90-minute stops at each winery.

Vineyard Voyages partners with eight (mostly) family-run vineyards to start — all situated amongst the rolling hills of Loudoun County’s lush wine region — and are split into three types of regionals tours. The “Colonial Grapevine” option includes stops at Two Twisted Posts, Williams Gap Vineyards, Hillsborough Winery & Brewery; the “Piedmont Journey” is a day trip to Casanel Vineyards & Winery, Firefly Cellars, Fleetwood Farm Winery; and the “Valley Vine” excursion hits three wineries around picturesque Shenandoah Valley (Otium Cellars, Botati Winery, Hillsborough).

The bus promises plush seating, overhead storage, USB ports to stay charged, and an on-board guide offering tidbits about Virginia’s rich winemaking history. Vineyard Voyages’ locally based founder Christian Hoeffel is a wine tour connoisseur of sorts, having bounced around wineries on six continents. He says he spotted a lack of affordable wine tour options from D.C. to Virginia, hence the idea to start the new service. And being in the educational space, he has the luxury of having summers off.

Each winery offers tour guests discounts on bottle purchases, he says, along with various perks like an extra pour with a tasting purchase, a coupon for a free tasting on the next visit, or a sip of a selected wine for all guests. There’s also group discounts and all-inclusive tasting packages.

Book before May 18 to get a free 12-ounce stainless steel tumbler branded with its logo.

2024-05-06T20:14:11Z dg43tfdfdgfd