Charlottesville, Virginia — sometimes called “C’Ville” — is the former home of two of our nation’s most influential and respected presidents, the gateway to the Shenandoah National Park, and nestled near the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s also home to some of the most creative and delectable wineries, vineyards, and breweries in the entire state of Virginia, including the Tasting Room & Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve.
In today’s blog from Norm’s Executive Transportation — the leading Charlottesville winery tour transportation company — we will take you to Mount Ida Reserve, south of Charlottesville, to introduce you to everything that makes this place one of our — and our clients’ — personal favorites.
Continue reading to learn all about what makes Mount Ida Farm and Vineyard so special, or get in touch with Norm’s Executive Transportation today to schedule your Charlottesville winery tour.
A Charlottesville Gem
Charlottesville is already well known for its stunning scenery, friendly people, and historic places such as Monticello, third President of the United States Thomas Jefferson’s former residence, and Highland, the home of former President James Monroe. However, just 15 miles south of Charlottesville in the middle of Virginia wine country is the Mount Ida Reserve.
Home to various large-acre communities such as The Farms of Turkey Run and The Farms of Jefferson Mill, the sweeping countryside of Mount Ida Reserve offers year-round panoramas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Mount Ida Reserve is also home to the Tasting Room & Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve, one of our favorite places to take our clients.
The Taphouse is perched above a 7,000-acre sanctuary and offers food and beverage options that are deeply inspired by seasonal themes and locally sourced ingredients. The comfortable atmosphere and awe-inspiring views create the perfect combination of refinement, relaxation, and luxury.
Local Wine
The Tasting Room & Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve offers a lovely selection of wines crafted at Mount Ida Reserve and at other nearby wineries, including sparkling wines, rosés, Viogner, table reds, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and the Governor's Cup Winning Bell Mount Reserve Chardonnay.
To learn more about the wines available in the tasting room or for sale online, visit the Tasting Room & Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve wine page.
Craft Beer
The brewery at Mount Ida Reserve is unlike most other breweries you will find not only in Virginia but almost anywhere in the United States. The reason why is that the malt that is used in the beers that they brew, is estate-grown Two-Row barley, meaning that the beer — a beverage that gets its color, taste, and alcohol content largely from the malted barley used to make it — is actually born right on Mount Ida Farm and Vineyard, not just brewed there.
With a staple set of hand-crafted brews on tap and rotating seasonal options such as New England IPAs, Oktoberfest lagers, dry stouts, pilseners, and more, fans of almost any style of quality-craft beer can find something for themselves.
The Tasting Room & Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve also offers crowlers of beer — 32-ounce draft beers sealed into a can at the time of sale — to take home to enjoy with friends and family.
Inspired Foods
When there is this much amazing wine and local craft beer to be had, you know there is also going to be an incredible menu to go with it.
With chef’s special that changes daily, the Mount Ida Reserve menu is highlighted by the house-cured brisket Rueben and Mount Ida Farm beef burger on a challah roll.
With snacks, small plates, entrees, and family-style options for 2-4 people, you can settle in for an afternoon or evening of scenery and locally crafted food and beverage at one of the most special places near Charlottesville.
Activities
Mount Ida Farm and Vineyard isn’t just a place where people enjoy quiet peaceful lives on stunning 60-acres farms or a place where out of town tours make stops. It’s also a place where regular events, workshops, and community celebrations take place.
From holiday wreath-making to storytime and cookies with Santa around the holidays to outdoor painting sessions and artisanal craft fairs in the warmer months, there is always something to do at Mount Ida Farm and Vineyard.
Special Events
Some events that they host there are more special than others. As far as wedding venues go in and around Charlottesville, there are few more popular places to tie the knot than the Lodge at Mount Ida Reserve, the Event Barn at Mount Ida Reserve, and the Water’s Edge at Mount Ida Reserve. Norm’s Executive Transportation regularly provides bridal party transportation for weddings at these stunning venues and would be happy to help with your special day.
Book Your Visit To Mount Ida Reserve With Norm’s Executive Transportation
If you and your party are interested in enjoying time at Mount Ida Farms and Vineyards or any of Mount Ida Reserve’s stunning venues for an event, Norm’s Executive Transportation is happy to take you there in style, comfort, and class. The property is far enough out of town that an Uber or Lyft driver can get you there, but you’ll have very little chance of finding a return ride.
Furthermore, the offerings of this particular vineyard, brewery, and beautiful outdoor space are best enjoyed in the company of friends and family, and Norm’s Executive Transportation has the ability to transport your group safely, no matter the size.
Give us a call today, or reach out to us by filling out our online form and letting us know how we can help make your next wine tour in Charlottesville a great one.