What a great vineyard! The wine is awesome, the views are stellar, and the overall atmosphere is so lovely. We went for a fall day - the vineyard has fire pits (which they will light fires for you and give you fire wood for), as well as many warm blankets. Their food was also great (get the pretzel!!).
Y-I Park
Amazing wine... Fantastic scenery... What's not to love!
Joseph Raczynski
Great non-corporate winery! I've visited this place several times over the last six years. The views are stunning. You have a vantage point of a valley and then the mountain side.
The wine is excellent. It's a great mountainside estate.
Francie Auld
Fine winery in Front Royal. Gorgeous scenery and tasty wines . Dog friendly. Worth the trip.
Johnny “Johnny's good life tips” Even
Best Vinyard by Washington DC Was a pleasure to actually meet the winemaker Stunning view Great wine and hospitality
Mike O'Neill
Fantastic wine and wonderful service. The bread was delicious! The view over the valley was perfect and the food truck on the premises had some great food!
Mike Nichols
I've visited Chester Gap Cellars twice - once in July and again in September. Each time, the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about the wines. The quality of the wines were better than I expected for a Virginia winery. I particularly enjoyed the Rose and the Vintner's Red and bought a case to take home and share with friends, who also enjoyed the wines. The views from the tasting room and deck are simply beautiful. There was a food truck on-site during my recent visit and the winery sells/serves Charcuterie boards and other light bites to go along with the wine flight/tasting, wine by the glass, or bottle you purchase to enjoy while taking in the view. I look forward to returning and bringing friends with me.
Ed Summers
Chester Gap Cellars is a small Winery with a Pub feel. The moment that a patron walks into the door they are treated with warm, welcoming smiles from both the staff and the local regulars. The views overlooking the Rappahannock River Valley are spectacular. The wines are very good too. What makes it great though is the Vinter, Jeff Seese. Jeff has a true joy for the industry and what he is doing. Most days, if he is not behind the bar, he mingles with the guests. One can feel, see and hear his passion as he talks about the winery, grapes, wine production and his small but incredible role in the industry. It is pure pleasure to listen to him. If you ever find yourself out in the Blue Ridge near Front Royal, make sure and stop by and check the place out. You won’t regret it.
Kyle Hurlbrink
Spent our post engagement moment here. Great spot.
bobbi h
Chester Gap Cellars On our way to Central VA/Monticello wine trail we decided to drive through Front Royal and check out a few spots. Chester Gap Cellars has beautiful grounds with gorgeous views! There is cozy indoor seating, a patio with umbrellas and lots of grassy area to enjoy your wine and the views. Wines were nice. Subtle flavors They offer flights, glasses, and bottles. Shout out to Evan who helped us in the tasting room He was personable and very knowledgeable about the wines and the vineyard. He also gave us suggestions of other spots to try in the area
What we tasted (descriptions are from the winery tasting note sheets) White Flight: *Viognier '21 - A purist's example of Viognier. Fermented in stainless steel to allow for only the grape's expression to dominate. *Viognier Reserve '20- Aged in French Oak to smooth and soften this otherwise vibrant white. This is a great comparison to the first Viognier on this flight, taste the Oak influence in this glass vs. the stainless steel earlier. *Roussanne '21- A French Rhone varietal, full of fruit but no residual sugar. Aged in stainless steel to highlight its naturally crisp flavor. *Petit Manseng '20- A full bodied white, slightly sweet (1% residual sugar) aged in stainless steel. *Rose '23 - Beautiful and light in color yet full of flavor. 2023 rose is a blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 20% Petit Verdot.
Red Flight: ‣ Lighter Side of Red '22 - A lighter red with a full-bodied flavor, Blend of Cabernet Franc and Grenache for a peppery aroma and flavor without overpowering tannins. ‣ Merlot '21 - Estate grown and aged in French Oak, this is always a favorite . It has just a hint of Petit Verdot for added color and to further express the strong Merlot tannins. ‣ Hillside Red 22 - They experiment with their Hillside Red line using grapes they are thinking about planting in the vineyard. This is a blend of estate grown Merlot and a newcomer to the cellar, Tempranillo. Big, juicy and full bodied. ‣ Petit Verdot '22 - Estate grown and aged in a combination of new and neutral French Oak barrels for a smooth, rich and delicious flavor profile. This is a big, bold red! ‣ Vintner's Red '21 - Expressing the true character of the vineyard. All estate grown 60% Cab Franc, 20% Petit Verdot, 20% Merlot aged in French Oak.
My rating rationale for beer, wine, or spirits: +1 Service +1 Atmosphere/Vibe +.5 Taste/Quality (Flavor, aroma, and overall quality of the beverage) +1 Presentation (Glassware, garnishes, and visual appeal of the drinks) +1 Selection/Variety (Range of beer, wine, or spirit options and uniqueness of offerings)
Great wine selection and beautiful view! The boys brought us here because it was one of their top picks, the wine and views did not disappoint.
Katie Ann
The best views around! Highly recommend for the scenery, the great wine, and the friendly service! Always a pleasurable experience here.
Meaghan Webster
The wine is great, the views are really nice, and the staff are notably very friendly and hospitable, even in the middle of a very busy day! Plus the stuffed breads they serve from a local bakery are incredible. Seems like some growth is happening on the property to accommodate their well-earned demand.
Chi Pham
Most beautiful vineyard for fall foliage viewing
Margaret Helmus
Such a great place! The property itself is beautiful- plenty of spaces to sit and enjoy your time there. Highly recommend the wine flight so you get a feel of the variety they have here. You also must get the stuffed bread.
What a great vineyard! The wine is awesome, the views are stellar, and the overall atmosphere is so lovely. We went for a fall day - the vineyard has fire pits (which they will light fires for you and give you fire wood for), as well as many warm blankets. Their food was also great (get the pretzel!!).
Amazing wine... Fantastic scenery... What's not to love!
Great non-corporate winery! I've visited this place several times over the last six years. The views are stunning. You have a vantage point of a valley and then the mountain side.
The wine is excellent. It's a great mountainside estate.
Fine winery in Front Royal. Gorgeous scenery and tasty wines . Dog friendly. Worth the trip.
Best Vinyard by Washington DC
Was a pleasure to actually meet the winemaker
Stunning view
Great wine and hospitality
Fantastic wine and wonderful service. The bread was delicious! The view over the valley was perfect and the food truck on the premises had some great food!
I've visited Chester Gap Cellars twice - once in July and again in September. Each time, the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about the wines. The quality of the wines were better than I expected for a Virginia winery. I particularly enjoyed the Rose and the Vintner's Red and bought a case to take home and share with friends, who also enjoyed the wines. The views from the tasting room and deck are simply beautiful. There was a food truck on-site during my recent visit and the winery sells/serves Charcuterie boards and other light bites to go along with the wine flight/tasting, wine by the glass, or bottle you purchase to enjoy while taking in the view. I look forward to returning and bringing friends with me.
Chester Gap Cellars is a small Winery with a Pub feel. The moment that a patron walks into the door they are treated with warm, welcoming smiles from both the staff and the local regulars. The views overlooking the Rappahannock River Valley are spectacular. The wines are very good too. What makes it great though is the Vinter, Jeff Seese. Jeff has a true joy for the industry and what he is doing. Most days, if he is not behind the bar, he mingles with the guests. One can feel, see and hear his passion as he talks about the winery, grapes, wine production and his small but incredible role in the industry. It is pure pleasure to listen to him. If you ever find yourself out in the Blue Ridge near Front Royal, make sure and stop by and check the place out. You won’t regret it.
Spent our post engagement moment here. Great spot.
Chester Gap Cellars
On our way to Central VA/Monticello wine trail we decided to drive through Front Royal and check out a few spots.
Chester Gap Cellars has beautiful grounds with gorgeous views!
There is cozy indoor seating, a patio with umbrellas and lots of grassy area to enjoy your wine and the views.
Wines were nice. Subtle flavors
They offer flights, glasses, and bottles.
Shout out to Evan who helped us in the tasting room He was personable and very knowledgeable about the wines and the vineyard. He also gave us suggestions of other spots to try in the area
What we tasted (descriptions are from the winery tasting note sheets)
White Flight:
*Viognier '21 - A purist's example of Viognier. Fermented in stainless steel to allow for only the grape's expression to dominate.
*Viognier Reserve '20- Aged in French Oak to smooth and soften this otherwise vibrant white. This is a great comparison to the first Viognier on this flight, taste the Oak influence in this glass vs. the stainless steel earlier.
*Roussanne '21- A French Rhone varietal, full of fruit but no residual sugar. Aged in stainless steel to highlight its naturally crisp flavor.
*Petit Manseng '20- A full bodied white, slightly sweet (1% residual sugar) aged in stainless steel.
*Rose '23 - Beautiful and light in color yet full of flavor. 2023 rose is a blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 20% Petit Verdot.
Red Flight:
‣ Lighter Side of Red '22 - A lighter red with a full-bodied flavor, Blend of Cabernet Franc and Grenache for a peppery aroma and flavor without overpowering tannins.
‣ Merlot '21 - Estate grown and aged in French Oak, this is always a favorite . It has just a hint of Petit Verdot for added color and to further express the strong Merlot tannins.
‣ Hillside Red 22 - They experiment with their Hillside Red line using grapes they are thinking about planting in the vineyard. This is a blend of estate grown Merlot and a newcomer to the cellar, Tempranillo. Big, juicy and full bodied.
‣ Petit Verdot '22 - Estate grown and aged in a combination of new and neutral French Oak barrels for a smooth, rich and delicious flavor profile. This is a big, bold red!
‣ Vintner's Red '21 - Expressing the true character of the vineyard. All estate grown 60% Cab Franc, 20% Petit Verdot, 20% Merlot aged in French Oak.
My rating rationale for beer, wine, or spirits:
+1 Service
+1 Atmosphere/Vibe
+.5 Taste/Quality (Flavor, aroma, and overall quality of the beverage)
+1 Presentation (Glassware, garnishes, and visual appeal of the drinks)
+1 Selection/Variety (Range of beer, wine, or spirit options and uniqueness of offerings)
Restaurantji Recommends
Great wine selection and beautiful view! The boys brought us here because it was one of their top picks, the wine and views did not disappoint.
The best views around! Highly recommend for the scenery, the great wine, and the friendly service! Always a pleasurable experience here.
The wine is great, the views are really nice, and the staff are notably very friendly and hospitable, even in the middle of a very busy day! Plus the stuffed breads they serve from a local bakery are incredible. Seems like some growth is happening on the property to accommodate their well-earned demand.
Most beautiful vineyard for fall foliage viewing
Such a great place! The property itself is beautiful- plenty of spaces to sit and enjoy your time there. Highly recommend the wine flight so you get a feel of the variety they have here. You also must get the stuffed bread.
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