With fall here, the days of comfortably getting out and about sadly are numbered. Luckily, the next two weekends in October offer plenty of area wine-themed happenings, as well as a couple of beer festivals.
Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour at Mountain Vernon, Oct. 2-4
Virginia wine at this local landmark. Enjoy tours of the mansion and wine cellar while listening to live music. Tickets cost $30. Visit mountvernon.org for more info.
Art, Wine and All That Jazz at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Oct. 3-4
Head down to Lorton for this wine and jazz event, featuring a number of wineries and live music. Adults are just $25 in advance, $30 at the door. For more information,visit workhousearts.org
Fredericksburg Area Wine Festival, Oct. 3-4
Eight wineries are the highlight of this 19th annual event. Also craft vendors and plenty of family entertainment. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Visit fredericksburgwine.com for details.
Ninth Annual Norton Wine and Bluegrass Festival at Chrysalis Winery, Oct. 3-4
A perfect combination of fine bluegrass and fine wine less than an hour from D.C., out in Middleburg, Va. $15 in advance, $20 at the gate. For more info, visit chrysaliswine.com
Old Town Alexandria Food & Wine Festival, Oct. 10-11
Old Town Alexandria comes alive with more than 50 vintner dinners, tasting seminars, cooking demonstrations and gallery receptions. For more information, including a map and schedule, visit oldtownwinefestival.com
Mid-Atlantic Oktoberfest in Shirlington, Oct. 3
More than 30 breweries will be featured from noon to 7 p.m., plus food and live music. The event is free, unless you plan to drink, then it’s $25 for 10 drink tickets. For more info, visit capcitybrew.com
Oktoberfest Reston, Oct. 9-11
Reston Town Center is the site of an annual Oktoberfest Oct. 9 through Oct. 11. Enjoy food, drink and live entertainment. There’s no cover, and food and beer are a reasonable price. For more info, visit oktoberfestreston.wordpress.com
