Here are some wineries + vineyards you should add to your bucket list. | Photo by Pixabay via Pexels
Virginia is home to countless vineyards and wineries, perfect for exploring this summer — or nearly any time of year. Here are six standout spots, all within 90 minutes of Northern Virginia.
Vino Virginia Wine Tours
Distance from downtown Arlington: 10-minute drive
Located in Arlington, this experience lets you curate your own wine tasting journey — perfect for group outings or corporate events. Many tours are led by the winemakers themselves, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the craft and story behind each bottle.
The Winery at Bull Run
Distance from downtown Arlington: 44-minute drive
Since opening in 2012, this Centreville winery has become a must-visit destination. No reservations are needed — seating is first come, first served. Planning to visit with a group of 12 or more? Just give them a call at least 24 hours in advance.
Take a Break: New Line Brass Band | 7-8:30 p.m. | Halley Rise, Reston | Free | Enjoy the sounds of this New Orleans jazz group at this energetic performance.
Friday, July 4
Fairlington July 4th Parade | 10 a.m. | Fairlington Fire Station, Arlington | Free | Celebrate the Fourth of July in the town of Fairlington with the annual parade and after-party.
Freedom, Flip Flops, and Fireworks | 10 a.m. | City Hall, Fairfax | Free | This parade offers all of the aspects you need, including marching bands, floats, old fire engines, and more.
Saturday, July 5
Independence Day Ice Cream Social | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Cherry Hill Farmhouse, Falls Church | Free | Cool off with a sweet treat, tie-dye a shirt, tour the historic Cherry Hill Farmhouse, and enjoy classic yard games at this fun-filled event.
Sunday, July 6
Washington Nationals vs. Boston Red Sox | 1:35 p.m. | Nationals Park, Washington, DC | $17+ | A baseball game is the perfect way to cap off Fourth of July weekend, and kids in attendance will receive a free pair of batting gloves.
Wednesday, July 9
Family Movie Party | 2-4 p.m. | Thomas Jefferson Library, Falls Church | Free | Watch “Paddington in Peru” while enjoying some much-needed air conditioning and free popcorn.
Wonder, a celebrity chef-partnered food hall, will have its grand opening on Thursday, July 24, at 1771 N. Pierce St. in Arlington. This new spot will feature 27 vendors, including spots like Streetbird + Magnolia Bakery. (ARLnow)
Community
NOVA Cleanups will host a Cleanup Crawl on Saturday, July 12 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event will start at O’Sullivans and finish at Quincy Hall in Arlington. They’ll provide bags and grabbers — plus raffles, prizes for the heaviest bags, and more.
Eat
Ellie Bird in Falls Church is launching a new carryout and delivery spot, Side Chick, blending Southern comfort with Asian American flavors. Operating out of their kitchen at 125 Founders Ave., you can now pre-order for the Fourth of July, with the official launch being on Tuesday, July 8. (ARLnow)
Biz
We’re lovin’ it. A McDonald’s will take over the former Burger King location at Hunters Woods Village Center in Fairfax. This spot has been vacant since 2023, and McDonald’s is hoping to open mid-July. (FFXnow)
State
Virginia enacted several new laws yesterday, including updated seatbelt requirements for adults, tougher penalties for drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians, and stricter cell phone regulations for students, among others.
Wellness
A new hair spa in Old Town North Alexandria will have its official ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, July 19. GlowWell Hair Spa opened in May at 712 N. Washington St., offering services like blowouts, braids, and more.
Outdoors
Blue-green algae have been spotted in Lake Audubon. This can be harmful to humans and animals, so the Reston Association is advising community members to avoid contact with the lake. If you do, make sure to rinse off as soon as possible. (FFXnow)
Correction
In yesterday’s newsletter, we said that animal bones are not compostable. You can actually compost animal bones in Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax County. However, it is generally not recommended to compost bones in your backyard set up, as they take a long time to break down.
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🐍 If you didn’t catch my Wrap yesterday, you’re misssssssing out. I saw a snake near the Potomac River and was stunned to realize it wasn’t just a twisted stick. After some research, I’ve concluded that it was most likely an Eastern Rat Snake. All I care about is that this is a nonvenomous species — thank god.
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