One of the best things about being from Central Virginia is that I am constantly learning about new and cool places that I have to add to my list of places to visit in the region.
So, I was super excited when I learned about Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard because I instantly knew that it was a place I could escape with my mom for a weekend.
This guide recaps my stay at Mount Ida Farm, including what to expect, how to book, and all the amazing things you can do there.
While Mount Ida Farm is renowned for being a wedding venue, it is actually a place you can stop by at any time and enjoy its restaurant, tasting room, and cozy accommodation options.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
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About Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard
Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard is a beautiful spot close to Charlottesville that is located at Mount Ida Reserve.
The Lodge at Mount Ida was initially a horse stable (hence the beautiful, symmetrical construction!) in the early 1900s before transitioning into a cattle bar.
Today, the gorgeous vaulted ceilings and oak timber have been preserved so that you can enjoy them in the one-of-a-kind event space, which is renowned for hosting weddings and other large-scale events.
While Mount Ida has built its name on its wedding venue opportunities, I was more curious about its other offerings, particularly its taphouse and accommodation!
So, this post is about that and my experience enjoying both at the end of last November.
Mount Ida, as stated above, does offer weddings and weddings with accommodation, but you can stay there on your own and enjoy a weekend on the beautiful Virginia property.
On the property, there is the Mount Ida Manor (9 bedrooms), Mount Pleasant Manor (4 bedrooms + a guesthouse with 2 additional bedrooms), the Cottage (6 bedrooms), the Lakehouse and Bungalow (4 bedrooms + bungalow with 2 bedrooms), Jefferson Mill (5 bedrooms), Black Branch (2 bedrooms + guest house with 1 bedroom), and the Stableview Cottage.
I stayed at Black Branch and had the luxury of enjoying a quality trip with my mom there!
Mount Ida Reserve sits along the famous Monticello Wine Trail, and you can enjoy their kitchen (the food was so delicious!), craft beer, and remarkable wines.
On the menu, they have small plates and boards, soups and salads, burgers (I had the tastiest one when there), sandwiches, pizza, and more.
They offer a Sunday brunch from 10am-4pm, as well. Book your table ahead, regardless of when you visit, however!
The brewery, led by Jacque Landry, is a farm-to-pint brewery with offerings ranging from a Frost Moon Hefeweizen (which has subtle notes of bananas and cloves) to a Mystic NEIPA that has mango, papaya, and citrus.
They have a full range of beers, from stouts to Helles, as well. I ordered a flight and got to try a few of them, and it was all extremely delicious.
Mount Ida also has a vineyard that spans 27 acres along the Blue Ridge Mountain’s foothills.
Overseen by farm manager Keith Shifflett, some of Mount Ida Reserve’s wines have been Governor’s Cup winners in 2024, including the 2021 High Ridge Reserve Red and 2022 Moonlight Red, which were both gold medalists.
Frantz Ventre is the winemaker, and he hails from Bordeaux, France, where his 30+ years of experience kicked off!
At Mount Ida, you can take home bottles of wine, growlers, and more.
My Stay at Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Mount Ida, and it was the first time I stayed somewhere along the Monticello Wine Trail.
I usually opt to stay in cities, like nearby Charlottesville, but this trip convinced me that there are way cooler places to stay outside of the city, and I doubt I will ever do that again!
I have lived abroad for 15 years and very rarely get a chance to spend quality time with my mom in a one-on-one manner.
I was so relieved when she got to take off from work and join me in this beautiful part of the state and enjoy a small vacation at Mount Ida. It made me realize how perfect the property was for a girls’ getaway for a weekend (or longer).
As noted above, I stayed with my mom at Black Branch. The 2-bedroom house was HUGE.
When you walked in, it had a bedroom downstairs, a spacious kitchen, and an even more spacious living room. Upstairs, there was the primary bedroom with a large bathroom and a porch that overlooked the land. It was spectacular.
My mom took this room, and I thought I would have to pry her out of it the next morning! I took the room on the first floor, and it was large, and the bed was extremely comfortable.
Black Branch had a small guesthouse (which you can rent together with the main house or separately) out front that offers a bathtub overlooking the land and more. It was a nice addition to the property that offered a little privacy for part of your group.
Another thing I loved about Mount Ida was that the lodge and restaurant area were decorated for Christmas! It felt so festive and put me in the mood for one of my favorite holidays instantly.
Mount Ida offers events year-round, and they have plenty going on during December, so everything just felt warm, cozy, and inviting.
How to Book a Stay at Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard
The best way to book a stay at Mount Ida is to go to their website. You can choose where you want to stay and find availability throughout any time of the year.
Since there are weddings on-site, you may have limited options during certain times of the year. But I can assure you that fall and early winter were such an amazing time to stay out there!
How to Visit Mount Ida Without Staying Overnight
Check out the event calendar at Mount Ida to see if anything is going on that would be of interest to you! You can also visit their restaurant and tasting room during opening hours.
It is worth the trip out there, especially if you’re driving throughout Virginia’s wine country or are in the Charlottesville area.
How to Get to Mount Ida Reserve
Mount Ida Reserve is located about 19 miles from Charlottesville (around 30 minutes of driving) and about 72 miles from Richmond (1.5 hours of driving). It is located in the countryside in gorgeous Scottsville, off of Blenheim Road.
Do you have any questions about booking a stay at Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard? Please let me know in the comments. Thanks!
More Central Virginia Travel Guides
- Things to do in Charlottesville
- Charlottesville coffee shops
- Hiking near Charlottesville
- Things to do in Staunton
- Things to do in Waynesboro
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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she has lived all around the world (including Germany, Finland, Norway, etc) but her heart always finds its way back to Virginia. This blog is to help encourage travelers to explore the great state of VA… and its wonderful neighbors! Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, Fodor’s Travel, the New York Times, and more. She has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries… and wholeheartedly believes that Brunswick Stew is probably the greatest food to ever exist.