When my friend Angie suggested a day in Virginia’s wine country for her birthday I was all in! I mean what could be better than celebrating by spending a summer day together in the beautiful Virginia countryside tasting wine? Did I mention that one of the wineries was named Unicorn Winery?! Cue the rainbows and butterflies and I promise it does not get any better!
Joni (that gorgeous tall red head below) offered to be our DD and with her boyfriend and Angie’s husband in tow, we loaded up a rented mini-van, popped in some old school tunes and were on our way. First stop was the Barrel Oak Winery a mere hour and twenty minutes from DC. There we were greeted by the rolling foothill mountains and a cool breeze, so we took the vino outside! After our tasting it was so perfect we decided a pitcher of sangria was a must (poor Joni!). Lets just say there might have been some hula-hooping involved once we polished off that pitcher. We left Barrel Oak and stopped at the charming Iron Bridge restaurant for lunch and then forged onward to the Unicorn Winery. The wines at Unicorn totally lived up to their name and we had a fab time playing with their dog Franc. In all it was a spectacular day spent in the great outdoors with some of my favorite people who I just don’t get to see enough of! I think it may just have to become Angie’s annual birthday tradition. Oh and as a random side note, apparently it is totally cool to bring pets, small babies and children to wineries on the weekends so any mama’s out there this can be a family friendly day. Just try not to be the weirdo with the talking parrot on your shoulder. No one likes that!
The girls before we hit the road!
A tasting outdoors.
A toast to the Birthday Girl!
First comes wine, then comes Sangria!
The Unicorn Winery does not disappoint.
Get into my wine glass!
The long journey home.
Ps – I also tipped my toe in the world of fondant to make a fondant covered wine bottle cake for Angie. If you’re curious to see the end result you can catch it on our Facebook page!
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{ 81 comments… read them below or add one }
that looks like such a fun time!
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love that bridge!
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I didn’t even know Virginia had wine country, how fun!
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I LOVE wine tasting! Have you ever been to the Finger Lakes in upstate NY? They have an AWESOME wine trail
<3
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The BonBon Rose Girls Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
@Cara, I’ve heard that about the Finger Lakes, I think I’m hearing Road Trip!
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I want to do these vineyard tours so badly!
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That looks completely amazing!! Glad that you had fun! Happy Birthday Angie!!
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Best time ever with the best company ever!! Annual tradition is set in stone (and then stained with red wine!). I can’t wait to go back again!
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It’s so beautiful, isn’t it? I love all of Virginia’s seasons…
Looks like you had a blast ~~
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Looks like such a great day!
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forgive me for my ignorance, but i didn’t even know virginia had wine country….how neat! looks like you ladies had a great time. i’m adding this to my list of possible weekend getaways! thanks for sharing!
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The BonBon Rose Girls Reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
@Kate (Southern-Belle-Simple), Hey Kate, your link doesn’t work. I would love to visit your blog if you give us your URL!
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Kate (Southern-Belle-Simple) Reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
@The BonBon Rose Girls,
sorry about that! i must have typed it in wrong! thanks for visiting my blog! xoxo
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You girls look gorgeous! And it sounds like SUCH a fun day
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How fun!! I wish we had more vineyards around this way! One of my dream vacations is a trip to the California Wine Country
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I adored this post. I’m from Virginia and I was so excited when I saw the subject line! I’m glad you had a great time!
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How Wonderful Megan!
We are actually picking a Napa Valley trip for our Honeymoon.
All about WINE:)
Have a wonderful day!
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The BonBon Rose Girls Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
@kristin, Aww so romantic, I’ve heard great things! Napa is definitely on my bucket list!
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So jealous! I adore little wineries! So glad you had a wonderful time!
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I love going on wine tours. Look like you gorgeous girls had a fab time!!
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How fun! What a wonderful way to spend a birthday.
Mandy @ This Girl’s Life
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Looks like a great time! Relaxing in wine country is always my fav way to spend free time, or holidays
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How fun & the cake looked fantastic btw! I’m sure it was as yummy as it looked!
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awww this looks like an awesome time!! i totally want to go to a wine country wine tasting with girl friends sometime!!
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That looks like sch fun! What an awesome way to spend time with friends. Love that dress on you.
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The BonBon Rose Girls Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
@Dancing Branflake, Thanks! I actually got the dress last weekend at Osa and Martin, apparently this chain is closing! So bummed!
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That bridge is gorgeous!
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love wineries! Looks like fun!
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Oooh can’t say I am not a little jealous. I am so happy you had such a great time.
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looks like a fabulous time!!!!
i want to go! it’s not too far from where i’m at in Lynchburg, VA.
xoxo
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Gorgeous! I love wine tasting…
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Oh my! Looks like SUCH a fun trip. What lovely girls
I heart wine!!!
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Wine tasting looks and sounds like a fabulous way to spend a summers day! Gorgeous looking time.
xx
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How fun, I’d love to do that!
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Ooh, Virginia Wine country looks (and sounds!) absolutely majestic!!
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I love wine tasting, being from Santa Barbara it was a regular weekend outing to go wine tasting in the valley (Santa Ynez). After seeing your fun day I need to make time to do this again, soon!
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You can’t not love a wine country trip… Seriously. I’m so in need of a vacay – I might even consider visiting the 2 vineyards in Southern Illinois – HA!
XO
Carly
All this is Grace and Charm
http://allthisgraceandcharm.blogspot.com
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Wonderful photos!
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Sounds like so much fun – and those grapes! Wow .. I’d love to pluck one off and pop it in my mouth!
oxox
Denalee
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That looks like so much fun, glad to hear you gals enjoyed the trip.
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Sounds like a perfect day!
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What a fabulous time that looks like. How lucky was Angies’ hubs to be with all those gorgeous dames?
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Lovely photos and looks like everyone had a great time. Mmmmm Sangria!
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I went to a wine tasting when I was 13, and my grandma was mad that I didn’t drink. She was European though, so maybe that made a difference?
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Looks like such a fun time! JEALOUS!
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That looks like so much fun! I love seeing the grapes and trying some great wine in a beautiful place. It makes sitting out in the sun worth it.
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It looks like it was a blast!!! Beautiful countryside, amazing wine… Looks like it was a great trip!
xo
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What a fabulous way to celebrate. Happy Birthday!
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Wine tasting is the best. We have a huge wine industry here in Oregon and there is no better way to spend an afternoon.
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I love Sangria. Carraba’s has a blackberry sangria that is the best.
Love that picture of the bridge.
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LOVE a windery, but definitely a sans baby/child experience if you ask me!
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VA is one of my fave states…never considered the wine though! Must do a re-do. Looks like funnnn!
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So much fun! I did a wine tasting day in Chianti/Tuscany…would love to go again- ideally NAPA!
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I went to a wine tasting once in Rhode Island and it was so lovely! Looks like a great time<3
xo Lynzy
http://fromskirtstoskillets.blogspot.com
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That looks like great fun! Have a sweet day!
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You girls look really pretty!! I love the photos!! Happy Birthday to your friend!! xxoxoxoxoo
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Looks like a fun trip!
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there is a ton of great wineries in the charlottesville va area too. makes a lovely long weekend!
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I did not know VA had a wine country!! How fun. I loooooove going wine tasting, looks like you all had a blast.
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what a fun idea!
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Looks and sounds like so much fun. You guys all look fabulous!
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what a fun day! i love that it’s called “unicorn winery.” too cute!
TheOwlsCloset.blogspot.com
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Must have been a fun time you guys had! I’ll be sure to check out the cake you made.
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I love wine and that looks and sounds like such a great place:)
Kisses,sweetie
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What a great way to celebrate! Next time you’re in the Shenandoah Valley, you should try the Naked Mountain winery, as well. Awesome stuff…
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The BonBon Rose Girls Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
@Melissa B., With a name like Naked Mountain how could it not get on my list! It is definitely a do for next time!
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Looks like great fun! I love wine tours.
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I never would have thought of VA having a wine country.. Hm. This looks like so much fun!
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wow such an amazing way of celebrating a birthday! couldn’t be better! you all look so happy! thanks for sharing
xo
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I’ve never done a wine tasting. Now I’m so interested!
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YES! Love Virginia Wine Country! My in-laws have a home in Virginia wine country and every now and then we get the chance to go and enjoy.
Cheers!
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I’ve been wanting to go to a winery. Your post has made me want to do it that much more!
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This looks like such a fun adventure!
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where theres vino, theres always a good time..fun photos!! thanks for your sweet comment
fashionableroad.blogspot.com
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Super fun…I need a day (or weekend) like this!
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i would love to do that for my birthday! Good idea for a new tradition
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Very cool.. I would love to go wine tasting.. i almost went once on a sheckys even but it just didn’t happen
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This is so gorgeous… Looks like a super fun day, Meg!
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com
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I love wine tasting, its my fav thing to do : ) xxx
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Never been wine tasting
But right now I got a bit jealous (in a good way) and I’m googling places where I live!
It looks you had a great time!
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Such gorgeous pictures! I’ve never been to a wine tasting, but it looks so chic and fun – I wonder if you’d see a unicorn if you drank enough wine there haha.
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What a fun time! Unicorn winery – love the sign and name!
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I just love going wine tasting, It looks like you had a wonderful day away.
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That looks like such a great fun!
Amazing pictures too!
B xx
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I love virginia wine. We checked out DuCard and Sharp Rock this past weekend…both were absolutely divine…yay for virginia wine!
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i’ve always wanted to go to a wine country… it looks like so much fun!
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Oh man, that looks like such a fun time!!! Love the picture of the grapes too.. very… artistic
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