Welcome to the Bedford Wine Trail web site, we're glad you stopped by! The wine trail is a great Virginia weekend getaway or day trip that is only four hours from Washington D.C. and Northern Virgina, three hours from Richmond, Virginia and Raleigh, North Carolina and only two hours from Greensboro, North Carolinia. Enjoy the scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Smith Mountain Lake or visit the National D-Day Memorial and historic Centertown Bedford. Visit the Bedford Welcome Center for complete details on where to stay, things to see and other exciting things to do in the area.

100 years ago crops like tobacco and tomatoes were the mainstays of central Virginia's agriculture. Today we are witnessing the emergence of a new agri-business that links with tourism to enrich Virginia's economy. Bedford, the fifth largest county in Virginia, is now home to five wineries with others expected to open within the next several years. In the last few years, four new wineries have blossomed along the slopes of the Blue Ridge, on the gentle hillsides and along the shores of Smith Mountain Lake. Mild winter temperatures, warm summers, fertile soil and the protection of the Blue Ridge Mountains make this Piedmont plateau an exceptional location for excellent grape and fruit harvests used in the production of quality wines.

  At the wineries you can expect a unique experience with several offering additional agricultural opportunities including interaction with farm animals, vineyard and orchard tours, and picnic areas. Along the way they will catch a glimpse of the other treasures of Bedford including distinctive vistas, numerous attractions, wonderful country stores and restaurants, and outdoor recreational opportunities. Warm smiles and friendly conversation await each visitor.

Bedford Wine Trail brochures are available at the wineries and the Bedford Welcome Center and visitors are encouraged to have their brochure stamped as they visit each of the wineries. On the home page at the lower right of the map, simply click on the printable version of the trail map and you are ready for an adventure. Once you have acquired a stamp for every winery, you can return it to the Welcome Center for a complimentary gift. Throughout the year each winery has several special events designed to delight the entire family.

Make plans now to attend the inauguaral-orginal "Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival" at his retreat home, Poplar Forest on November 21, 2009 to kick off the holidays and celebrate Virginia’s passion for wine! The five wineries of the Bedford Wine Trail will offer tastings and visitors will enjoy holiday foods, hand-made crafts, and music. Thomas Jefferson will also be present to talk about his love of wine and life at Poplar Forest, his retreat home. House tours will take place throughout the day. Poplar Forest is the perfect place to get away from it all, as Jefferson did. Jefferson sojourned to Poplar Forest in his retirement to find rest and leisure, rekindle his creativity and spend time with his grandchildren. - Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest, 1548 Bateman Bridge Road, Forest - 434-525-1806 - www.poplarforest.org