Spend two hours learning wine and food pairing with Winemaker Donna in Virginia wine country. This guided lunch combines hands-on tasting, tapas, cheese, desserts and practical tips you can use at home.
Spend two hours learning wine and food pairing with Winemaker Donna in Virginia wine country. This guided lunch combines hands-on tasting, tapas, cheese, desserts and practical tips you can use at home.
The tasting room door opens to warm light and the murmur of conversation; glasses clink as Winemaker Donna guides the table through five categories of wine and tapas that challenge expectations and sharpen the tongue.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Little Washington Winery and Brewery · Charlottesville, Virginia
The tasting room door opens to warm light and the murmur of conversation; glasses clink as Winemaker Donna guides the table through five categories of wine and tapas that challenge expectations and sharpen the tongue.
Set in Virginia wine country near Charlottesville, this two-hour guided lunch mixes practical technique with sensory play: acid that brightens a cheese, tannin that steadies a rich entrée, sweetness that tames bitter chocolate. Virginia's wine story stretches back to colonial experiments and the Monticello AVA, and the region's rolling limestone soils often give wines a focusing minerality that Donna will point out as she pairs each course.
Culturally, the lunch reflects a local food ethos—small producers, seasonal cheese, and a preference for convivial learning over formal tasting notes. Geology and climate turn up subtly in conversation: east-facing slopes, clay pockets, and late summer humidity that winemakers manage in the cellar.
Practically, expect structured pours, clear teaching moments, and plenty of time for questions. Bring ID (21+), arrive slightly early for seating, and plan transport—designated drivers or rideshares are common. Wear comfortable layers: tasting rooms are climate-controlled but can be cool near cellar doors. Take notes or photos of favorites; many Virginia vintners ship.
If you want to expand the day, pair the lunch with a drive along the Monticello Wine Trail or a visit to a local cheese shop afterward. The experience is ideal for home hosts looking to sharpen pairing instincts and for anyone who wants a focused, educational meal rather than a formal sit-down dinner.
easy.
2 hours.
Suitable for all fitness levels—mostly seated with brief standing and walking within the venue
Yes. Alcoholic drinks are served only to guests 21 and older; bring valid ID to receive pours.
Host can often adapt tapas and courses with advance notice—use the booking's special requirements field to explain allergies or preferences.
Full refund if cancelled at least 24 hours before the scheduled time; check booking confirmation for specifics.
Most tasting rooms near Charlottesville offer on-site parking or nearby public lots; if unsure, ask at booking for directions and parking notes.
Virginia's wine history dates to colonial plantings and later formalized in AVAs like Monticello; local producers often reference Thomas Jefferson’s early interest in viniculture.
Many Virginia wineries practice sustainable viticulture and encourage guests to use rideshares; minimize single-use plastics and support producers who prioritize soil health.
Little Washington Winery and Brewery operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.



The tasting room door opens to warm light and the murmur of conversation; glasses clink as Winemaker Donna guides the table through five categories of wine and tapas that challenge expectations and sharpen the tongue.
The tasting room door opens to warm light and the murmur of conversation; glasses clink as Winemaker Donna guides the table through five categories of wine and tapas that challenge expectations and sharpen the tongue.
Set in Virginia wine country near Charlottesville, this two-hour guided lunch mixes practical technique with sensory play: acid that brightens a cheese, tannin that steadies a rich entrée, sweetness that tames bitter chocolate. Virginia's wine story stretches back to colonial experiments and the Monticello AVA, and the region's rolling limestone soils often give wines a focusing minerality that Donna will point out as she pairs each course.
Culturally, the lunch reflects a local food ethos—small producers, seasonal cheese, and a preference for convivial learning over formal tasting notes. Geology and climate turn up subtly in conversation: east-facing slopes, clay pockets, and late summer humidity that winemakers manage in the cellar.
Practically, expect structured pours, clear teaching moments, and plenty of time for questions. Bring ID (21+), arrive slightly early for seating, and plan transport—designated drivers or rideshares are common. Wear comfortable layers: tasting rooms are climate-controlled but can be cool near cellar doors. Take notes or photos of favorites; many Virginia vintners ship.
If you want to expand the day, pair the lunch with a drive along the Monticello Wine Trail or a visit to a local cheese shop afterward. The experience is ideal for home hosts looking to sharpen pairing instincts and for anyone who wants a focused, educational meal rather than a formal sit-down dinner.