A Day in Virginia Wine Country

Sweater: L.L. Bean Fisherman Sweater (This fisherman sweater sits right at your hip, if I’m going to be wearing leggings I’ll go with the L.L. Bean Fisherman Tunic Sweater. It’s longer and has zipper accents on the sides. I styled the fisherman tunic with my favorite “leather” leggings here) // Jeans: Talbots Girlfriend Jeans (Being 5’2″, finding jeans that are the right size and length is a never-ending quest. I tried these on over the weekend on a whim and was surprised at how perfect these jeans are! Plus they’re under $100…YES!) // Blackwatch Plaid Poncho: My exact poncho is no longer available but this blackwatch plaid cape has the most adorable scallop detail + is marked down to $53 // Bag: Vera Bradley // Sperry Topsiders (Under $100!)

Happy Tuesday!! I swear, long weekends always go by the fastest. Especially since I feel like I never stopped moving this weekend for a minute. My mom flew in from Arizona and since she rented a car for the weekend, we took full advantage. We went in search of long weekend sales to shop (boy did we find ’em), went to Wegmans (twice #noshame) and took a jaunt out to Virginia wine country for a few wine tastings. Before we get into the wine, let’s chat about this outfit because I am in love with these jeans!!

New Favorite Jeans

I can’t remember the last time I wore jeans on the blog. Probably because I show outfits on the blog that I actually wear in real life and jeans aren’t really something I wear. My friends joke about how I never wear jeans. I usually feel more comfortable wearing skirts or dresses and finding a pair of jeans that fit and I feel confident in is no small feat. I’m 5’2″ so jeans are usually waaayyy too long or there’s a weird gap in the back. Or I feel like the jeans just simply aren’t flattering on my figure. That all changed with this pair of jeans. They’re the “Girlfriend Jeans” from Talbots and I.am.in.love. I wore them pretty much all weekend. They’re a more feminine cut of the boyfriend jeans and I love how they’re the perfect length for my short legs (I went with an 8 Petite). Get ready to see these jeans a lot over here. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.

Okay and now on to the wine.

Casanel Winery

Casanel was actually our second stop in Virginia wine country. My mom and I were at Stone Tower Winery and struck up a conversation with the couple next to us. They suggested we check out Casanel and that the winery was doing a special sparkling wine flight for the weekend. Say no more! Just sign me up 😉

Casanel is a bit off the beaten path and down some very narrow roads but so so worth the drive. It’s a smaller, family-owned winery and had a terrific up-close-and-personal porch view of their vineyard. Their sparkling wine flight was delicious with the breakout star being their homemade “Red Spark.” Sparkling red wine sounds crazy, I know. But hear me out. Casanel’s winemaker takes Virginia’s signature grape, Norton, and ferments it like champagne. It’s fruity and tart and oh-so-easy to drink. My mom, who’s more of a red drinker, and I both really enjoyed it and it would be delicious for summer meals on the patio. Next time I’m heading to Virginia wine country, I definitely will go back to Casanel for their friendly atmosphere, gorgeous porch views, and bubbly.

Stone Tower Winery

Stone Tower Winery is a staple when heading to Virginia wine country. If this is your first time going to a wine tasting, head to Stone Tower. Their wine tastings are $15 and each wine is delicious. You start off with a bubbly, which always makes you feel festive, and then move on to the whites + reds. I’m normally not a red drinker at all but I enjoyed both of their reds. Melissa, who was pouring our wine during the tasting, was extremely knowledgeable about the flavors because she (as she put it) “eats, sleeps, and drinks wine.” Where does one sign up for that job? Asking for a friend. It’s definitely one of the more popular wine stops along the Loudoun wine trail and you might have to wait for a stop at the bar to open up for a tasting. Tip: The reds are at the end of the wine tasting so keep an eye out for people drinking red, they’re almost done and you can swoop in their spot! Stone Tower Winery lets you bring in outside food so hit up Trader Joe’s for crackers, fruit and other snacks before heading to the winery. But if you forget, The Frenchman food truck is usually parked outside so definitely pick up their “Mon Frites.” So so good!!

Have you been to Virginia wine country? Which winery is your favorite or is a must-visit?

Sweater: L.L. Bean Fisherman Sweater (This fisherman sweater sits right at your hip, if I’m going to be wearing leggings I’ll go with the L.L. Bean Fisherman Tunic Sweater. It’s longer and has zipper accents on the sides. I styled the fisherman tunic with my favorite “leather” leggings here) // Jeans: Talbots Girlfriend Jeans (Being 5’2″, finding jeans that are the right size and length is a never-ending quest. I tried these on over the weekend on a whim and was surprised at how perfect these jeans are! Plus they’re under $100…YES!) // Blackwatch Plaid Poncho: My exact poncho is no longer available but this blackwatch plaid cape has the most adorable scallop detail + is marked down to $53 // Bag: Vera Bradley // Sperry Topsiders (Under $100!)