October is Virginia Wine Month.

There are only 12 more days in October.  And Virginia has more than 200 wineries. What’s a wine lover to do?

Plan very carefully.

The Official Virginia Wine Lover website offers a full calendar of events throughout the state for the remaining days of the month. One of the highlights includes events at nearby Doukenie Winery in Hillsboro. This weekend the Doukenie Harvest Festival celebrates the fall harvest with farm tours, wine tastings, live music, mounted horse games and races and tricks on horseback. Smokin Willies BBQ will have food for purchase, and the Short Hill Mountain Boys will provide live entertainment. The event is from 10 am to 6 pm, with no admission charge.

Next weekend, premier wines from Virginia and around the world are available for tasting at the 3rd Annual Chesapeake Virginia Wine Festival on Oct. 27, from noon to 6pm at the Chesapeake City Park on Greenbrier Parkway. This festival is a celebration of the charm and character of the Chesapeake.

Virginia Wine Month coincides with the fall harvest, a pleasant time of year to drive the countryside and explore the commonwealth’s 210 wineries. If you’re planning on drinking, please designate a driver. Or charter your own private, safe transportation to and from these wine events. Reston Limousine has an array of transportation options to suit the size of your party. The area’s best limousine company also  offers its own, regularly scheduled wine tours!

“Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized.”

— Andre Simon