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Knowing now that wine can be good for your health, your next date night may look a little different than usual. For those who are active and looking to win over that lucky date of the week, or maybe take your devoted sweetheart out for a much-deserved treat, these wineries may be of interest to you.
Potomac Point Winery and Vineyard: A winery in Stafford, Virginia, an easy trip to make if you’re stationed in the Quantico area. With rustic Tuscan vibes, while still being close to base, this winery has much to offer. Not only is it child friendly, but it's pet friendly as well. The beautiful grounds offer a wide selection of wines with plenty of graceful southern class taste. A wonderfully boozy trip that everyone will be able to have an enjoyable experience with. They even have pairing events and serve food!
Grape Creek Vineyards: If you’re one of the poor souls stationed in Fort Hood, stand fast, there is at least one perk. Right outside of Austin is Grape Creek Vineyards. A luxury wine tasting and spa experience. Their claim to fame being that they are the oldest winery off highway 290. They offer a large selection of wines aged both locally and out of state. If you’re able to survive your duties on base during the week, you can look forward to an elegance retreat during the weekends. It is also only a short road trip from those stationed in San Antonio.
Jowler Creek Vineyard and Winery: Are you another poor fool stuck in good-ole Fort Leonard Wood? Got nothing to do except go to one of the two local bars and shoot darts? Make a weekend trip out to Kansas City to treat yourself to something decent for once! This winery offers a multitude of activities that aren’t necessarily typical winery experiences, but rather, much more fun. With local artists, food trucks, and even an annual grape stop to attract the masses, Jowler creek should definitely be penciled into the agenda.
Cypress bend Vineyards: Located Wagram, Scotland county NC, this affordable weekend retreat is for our Fort Bragg defenders. With over 30 acres of land, this winery has not only a deep history, but a lovely selection of activities and wine to choose from. Whether you're up to typical officer activities (golf) or want to enjoy local music and mosey down the river on a paddleboat, this winery is for you.
Wolf Mountain Vineyard: Just outside of Atlanta, this beautiful facility is only about a two-hour drive for those stationed in Fort Benning. This might seem like any other winery on this list, but they do brandish awards in gold for their outstanding international taste and expertise of wine. Aside from tasting rooms they offer a café and Sunday brunch (reservations are required.) The winery is dog friendly for those who have furry friends (and those who have real dogs too). The winery is highly interdependent and curates some of the best wine grapes have to offer, producing an annual 5,000 cases.
Domaine Carneros: Last but not least, the stunning region that expands around Napa Valley is known for its exquisite vineyards and produces some of the best wines found globally. Wines made here are local and made with passion for the craft. And they show it, with dozens of awards for various wines in their collection. Keeping in line with that 5-star hotel experience the Air Force is used to, this is a winery like no other. The pure fancy factor of traveling here from Travis AFB will make you feel bad and boujee. Keeping in toe with the elegance factor: you pay for what you get. Meaning that a luxurious treat such as this is going to be a little pricier than the others on this list, so plan ahead. But we know the Air Force gets all that per diem, and flight line pay. If you don’t have time for a day-long getaway and need to get back to your duties ASAP, they do offer curbside pick-up, so you can always bring the party back home with you.
There are plenty of other deserving wineries so let us know if you want a second list. Like you’ve heard at every safety brief, have fun and don’t drink and drive.
