Country Vines Winery

One of the best and family friendly wineries you can find: great tasting wine, outdoor picnic area and farm animals to look at for the kids. However, after our last visit I am unable to give them a 5 star rating. We usually visit 3-4 times a year to have a picnic while enjoying some wine (usually leave with a case of wine). Our last visit this weekend was not up to par since they have implemented a new rule. They now have taster trays which you must purchase before sitting in the covered picnic area (which have nice gas fire pits). We have nothing against the taster tray rule and they do offer you a discounted price on a bottle of wine to enjoy there. If you don't purchase a taster you just can't sit in the covered area, you have to sit in the grass area of which at this time of the year is a big mud pit). We were under the impression that if we purchased this taster tray we can enjoy the covered area for our picnic even if we purchase an additional bottle to have there. After we finished our tasters (which are not very big ) I went into get a bottle to enjoy for the rest of our lunch but were then told that if we want to drink that bottle we must move to the mud pit grass area. Even though we purchased a taster tray the young lady working there still forced us to move if we wanted to enjoy the wine at their winery. At that time we were the only people there but we were forced to move anyway (we had all our food laid out already but had to pack it all up to move a few meters to the uncovered area). One main reason we like having picnics here is because of the atmosphere of eating/drinking next to the gas fire pits. In the summer time perhaps this rule may be ok but in the winter when the uncovered area is wet and muddy this rule is pathetic. They should be more considerate to customers who actually want to buy and enjoy their wine while being there (especially if you are not busy) instead of giving preference to people who just come for 10 minutes to enjoy a quick taster. Even though they deserve a 5 star rating I can not give them one until they get rid of this rule. They will drive away their long time loyal customers.

Cody treated us like VIP during the wine tasting. He was friendly, knowledgeable with a great sense of humor and very real.
Country Vines is a beautiful gem in Richmond.

Today is my 14 year anniversary and we went to Country Vines for their member’s only tasting. I’ve been a patron for a few years but only joined their wine club this spring. I have had so many enjoyable wines but tonight takes it for a memorable experience. Brian led us through a number of great wines and he was really enjoyable to talk to and super knowledgeable. Being a wine club member, we left with a complimentary charcuterie board, 2 bottles of member-only blended wines, and a big bag of produce from the adjacent market. This is a great hidden gem in the community and I highly recommend them to anyone who is looking to support local and have a good glass of wine. Now I’m off to enjoy my bottle ?

Just had a wonderful wine tasting that was complimentary with our wine club membership. Brian was very knowledgeable and an all around great guy. They gave us a massive charcuterie board pre-packed to go, two bottles of wine, and a big bag of produce from the farm all complimentary with the wine club membership. Honestly, the wine club is worth the price just for the wine but this was a great surprise.