Wine by the Lakeside: The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farms

There’s plenty of wineries in Virginia with views of the countryside and mountains, but few offer the spectacular lakeside view of one of the region’s newest vino venues, Sunshine Farms. Just off Lee Highway/Route 29, on the border of Gainesville and Warrenton, the hidden-away destination is a best-kept-secret for those who have spotted it on Google Maps or otherwise have heard about it from word-of-mouth.

 

 

It sits off a gravel road off Vint Hill Road, on the quiet shores of Lake Manassas, a gorgeous body of water that has been closed to boating for decades but remains the centerpiece of the area. The property features numerous seating areas outdoors, including a second-floor deck off the winery’s gallery and party space, a smattering of picnic tables and fire pits with camp chair seating. Be forewarned though, the firepit is reservation-only premium seating, priced at $75 for two hours, and $20 every hour thereafter.

 

Other amenities at the winery include a small stage for live music and a roaring fireplace indoors for chilly days. Also, the winery is dog friendly — if they are leashed, but not child friendly, as guests must be 16 years old and up.

 

The wines are far less notable than the property. They come from the Manassas winery Bull Run, which is also a beautiful venue, but its wines are known to be underwhelming. Another unfortunate aspect of Sunshine Farms Winery is they do not allow outside food. This would be fine if they had other food offerings, but they are limited to a food truck and nibbles served at the bar.

Hopefully, soon the management will expand their menu or allow patrons to bring their own picnic baskets when they realize that people will come from far away and stay the day to enjoy the sunshine by the lake to eat, drink and be merry.