| A great way to spend your weekend in | | | | hit amongst locals and competitions alike. They are |
| Fredericksburg, Virginia is at one of the many | | | | situated in the outskirts of Fredericksburg in what is |
| wineries and distilleries that surround it. The | | | | known as the "densest deer population" in Virginia. |
| geographic location makes this part of Virginia a | | | | They host a variety of functions throughout the |
| celebrated producer of wine, beer, and spirits alike. | | | | year including Barrel tasting, Mid-Winter and |
| What follows is a sampling of just a few of the | | | | Mid-Summer Fests, dinners, and open houses. |
| wineries, breweries and distilleries neighboring | | | | 3. Mattaponi Winery |
| Fredericksburg. | | | | The Mattaponi Winery began as a Christmas tree |
| 1. The A. Smith Bowman Distillery | | | | farm, and grew into a winery several decades ago. |
| The Bowman Distillery ranks among the oldest | | | | They are a small, family-owned winery with a foot in |
| distilleries in the United States. It is best known as a | | | | most festivals and fairs throughout Virginia. Their |
| family-owned bourbon distillery, and was founded in | | | | name is inspired by the three rivers they reside |
| 1935 by Abram Smith Bowman. The Bowman's began | | | | by-the Matta, Po, and Ni. |
| producing bourbon on their farm at the tail end of | | | | 4. Blue and Gray Brewing Company |
| prohibition, and it is that recipe which is still used in | | | | The Blue and Gray Brewing Company offer |
| their famous Virginia Gentleman variety. The original | | | | something for the beer-drinkers-and they do it well. |
| location of the Bowman distillery was in Northern | | | | They offer tours throughout the week, including |
| Virginia, but it was moved to Fredericksburg in the | | | | Saturdays, and feature free sampling of their wide |
| 1980's. Since the 1930's, the Bowman's have begun | | | | variety of brews. Blue and Gray are best known for |
| producing gin, vodka, rum, tequila, whiskey, and | | | | their Falmouth Pale Ale, Fred Red Ale, Classic Lager, |
| scotch. | | | | and Stonewall Stout, but they have added several |
| 2. The Hartwood Winery | | | | seasonal beers to their menu, including Spiced Winter |
| The Hardwood Winery is relatively new-only twenty | | | | Ale for November through January, Chocolate |
| years old-but its family owned aesthetic has taken it | | | | Raspberry Stout for January through February and |
| far since it first opened in 1989. Their wine is available | | | | Virginia Hefeweizen for May through September. |
| locally in Fredericksburg, and has been proven to be a | | | | 5. |
