Bottled in Bedford Craft Beverage Trail: Insider’s Guide (2024)

If you have a taste for high-quality, small-batch beverages, the nearby Bottled in Bedford Craft Beverage Trail is a must-do activity. Appealing to both locals and visitors, the trail explores Bedford County’s impressive craft beverage scene, highlighting locally produced wine, beer, cider and mead.

Each stop along the trail is a testament to the passion and dedication of local artisans committed to crafting exceptional beverages and providing guests with a warm, inviting atmosphere to savor every sip.

The three establishments closest to Smith Mountain Lake are Hickory Hill Vineyards, Ramulose Ridge Vineyards and Fables & Feathers Winery.

Whether you opt for a whirlwind tour of multiple venues in a day or prefer to linger at each location, be sure to designate a driver for each trip along the Botted in Bedford Craft Beverage Trail.

Fables & Feathers Winery

Fables & Feathers Winery offers wine and beer tastings with lovely vineyard views. Bring a picnic basket and enjoy a family and pet-friendly atmosphere.

On weekends, the winery features food trucks, live music and other events. Owned by two generations of the Luedtke family, the winery produces a variety of wines such as chardonnay, riesling, malbec, pinot noir, Cabernet Franc, merlot, syrah and petit verdant, along with a selection of beers and ciders.

Located in Goodview, it’s an bucolic spot for weddings and other special events.

Hickory Hill Vineyards

A visit to scenic Hickory Hill Vineyards, the oldest commercial vineyard and winery at Smith Mountain Lake, is always enjoyable.

The Furrow family first planted vines in 1984 and, after years of vineyard experience, opened the winery in 2001. With their first commercial vintage, Hickory Hill wines began earning medals of excellence in international wine competitions, accumulating over 70 to date.

Visitors are welcomed to the 1923 Farmhouse Tasting Room and Gift Shop to sample the fruits of the Furrow family’s labor.

Ramulose Ridge Vineyards

Ramulose Ridge Vineyards, a family-owned winery in Moneta, was founded in 1995. It offers premium wines and a large selection of fine cigars.

The vineyard features 1,200 square feet of indoor event space and produces small-batch, handcrafted wines using sustainable farming methods. T

he relaxed, family and dog-friendly atmosphere includes an extensive outdoor patio and indoor tasting area with sweeping views of the vineyard. Guests can enjoy wine flights, wine by the glass or bottle, cheese trays, cookies and tasty, handcrafted sangrias in eight flavors.

In 2013, Apocalypse Ale Works became the first brewery in Forest since the 1800s when Thomas Jefferson brewed at his summer home, Poplar Forest. It features a tasting room, covered deck and large backyard with seating and kid-friendly activities.

Apocalypse offers a variety of beers and hard seltzers. Guests can enjoy limited snacks, bring their own food, have it delivered, or order from rotating food trucks. The brewery also hosts special events like trivia nights, music bingo, live performances, and exclusive small-batch tastings.

Beale’s

Located in a charming former mill in downtown Bedford, Beale’s is named after a mysterious local legend of missing treasure from the 1800s.

This brewery and full-service restaurant offers a range of delicious barbeque favorites, burgers and sandwiches. The beer is brewed on site and there’s an impressive selection of year-round draft favorites and small-batch seasonals.

Visitors can enjoy indoor and outdoor seating options with a kid’s menu, non-alcoholic beverages and a small play area. The brewery hosts a range of events, including live local music and trivia nights.

Burnbrae Vineyards

Burnbrae Vineyards was established by the Gerhardt family with the intention of honoring the agricultural traditions of Bedford County. Their vision was to transform their farm into a destination where visitors could appreciate and indulge in local wines made from grapes cultivated in their own vineyards.

Located in Forest, the vineyard produces a range of wines including rosé, merlot, syrah, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and viognier. Experience the warm ambiance of the tasting room, situated in a beautifully restored log cabin.

In addition to wine tastings, Burnbrae hosts occasional live music and food trucks.

Meadery at Graham Ordinary

Located near the Peaks of Otter off the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Meadery at Graham Ordinary is a historic mountain lodge with a Colonial-era homestead from the late 1700s.

Established by the Graham family in September 2022, the meadery crafts mead from on-site and locally sourced honey. Guests can explore the honey trail to see the beehives and bees in action.

As mead flavors vary, visitors are encouraged to sample the unique offerings at Graham Ordinary Meadery.

Peaks of Otter Winery

A trip to Peaks of Otter Winery & Orchards in Bedford is a treat for the whole family. Enjoy scenic views of the Peaks of Otter as you explore the charming farm, complete with animals, orchards, creeks, ponds and a picnic area.

Taste a variety of wines made from on-site fruit, including peach, apple, blackberry, blueberry, plum and pear. This picturesque winery offers a relaxing atmosphere, distinctive wines and fun activities for all ages.

Seven Doors Winery

Seven Doors Winery in Huddleston offers a quiet, tranquil atmosphere and a distinctive tasting experience dedicated to organic and biodynamic wines. The curated selection of organic wines sourced globally offers visitors a chance to explore and savor unique flavors.

Seven Doors has a 2,000-square-foot tasting room, outdoor area with covered porch, lush florals and wooded walking trails. The winery hosts weddings, conferences and other events. You can also catch occasional live music and other unique special events such as snuggle sessions with baby goats.

Bonus: Brooks Mill Winery

While not on the trail, Brooks Mill Winery in Franklin County specializes in fruit wines and is definitely worth a visit.

Friendly and knowledgeable owners H.T. and Rhonda Page operate the winery in Wirtz, not far from Westlake Corner and Burnt Chimney.

Favorites you’ll want to sample include Dry Pear, Plum, Peach and Black & Blue, a smooth and tart blend of blackberries and blueberries. The homemade sangria is also extremely popular.