Hats off to Berryville’s Veramar Vineyard for snagging two bronze medals at the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. With nearly 5,000 wine entries from the United States, this competition is no small affair. The awards– for 2007 Veramar Vineyard Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay– shine the spotlight on the fabulous varietals cultivated in Virginia. Stop by Veramar for a wine-tasting, and discover a truly great wine experience less than an hour’s drive from Washington D.C. Situated on a private 100-acre estate at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Shenandoah River, the small, family-run winery is dedicated to producing naturally dry, full-bodied wines.

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