Biggest and Best Wine Festivals in the Washington D.C. Area

Virginia has become one of the top wine regions in the country, and Washington D.C. area, Virginia and Maryland wine festivals have grown exponentially as well. All throughout the year you can now choose from any number of different wine festivals, ranging in size from small parties hosted by a single winery, to massive gatherings with hundreds of wine to taste taking place over an entire weekend.

Here is a list of some of the best Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. wine festivals to keep an eye out for. Always a great activity for a couple, a group of friends or parties of all sizes, and many are also family friendly too.

Best Maryland, D.C and Virginia Wine Festivals

Virginia Wine Festival- Annually in September - http://virginiawinefest.com/

Ranked as one of the top 10 wine festivals in the country the Virginia Wine Festival has been going strong for 35 years, and is held in Bull Run Park. There are convenient bus and shuttle packages you can pair with your ticket so you don't have to worry about driving. There are dozens of wineries, hundreds of wines, and all kinds of workshops, vendors, artisans, food stands and more.

Vintage Virginia - Annually in June - http://www.vintagevirginia.com/

Vintage Virginia has been put together for nearly 30 years, and features over 300 wines to taste from. Located at Bull Run Park, Vintage Virginia is hosted by the same folks as the Virginia Wine Festival, mentioned above. You'll find plenty of musical performers, vendors and more. There's also a family tent with performers and entertainment for the kids, as well as play areas and games.

Maryland Wine Festival - Annually in September - http://www.marylandwinefestival.org/

The Maryland Wine Festival is over 25 years old and is growing each time out. There are local restaurants on hand, live music, craft vendors, seminars and amateur wine competitions. Held in Carroll County, there are more than 40 Maryland wineries on hand with over 350 wines to taste and sample. In addition to the amateur awards, the Annual Governor's Cup Competition is held at the event.

Wine Festival At the Plains - Held in May and September - http://www.winefestivalattheplains.com/

The two Wine Festival at the Plains events held each year feature all sorts of outdoor activities, including everything ranging from world class polo matches to kite flying, live music, picnic areas, fine art markets and more. There is usually at least 250-275 wines to sample from the biggest wineries in Virginia. It's a fun outdoor gathering that offers something for everyone.

Virginia Wine Expo - Annually in February, Indoors - http://www.virginiawineexpo.com/

Nothing breaks up the cold winter season then heading indoors and sampling from over 350 wines provided by over 60 Virginia wineries. In 2010 the event was broken up by the massive D.C. blizzard, but don't expect such problems to happen again. There are also plenty of food and snack samples, vendors, demonstrations and seminars, and more.

Rockville Uncorked - Annually in August - http://www.rockvillemd.gov/events/uncorked

This is a newcomer to the local D.C. wine festival scene, and helps keep Maryland on the radar considering this list is dominated by events in Virginia. Rockville Uncorked is held in downtown Rockville, in Rockville Town Square. Over a dozen wineries and wine stores get together to showcase their best, and there are also music stages, vendors, demonstrations and signings. The price is also right, at just $10 per person, and you can enjoy the music and scene without drinking for free.

DC Holiday Wine Mall- Annually in December, Indoors - http://www.holidaywinemall.com/

Held at the Dulles Expo Center, the DC Holiday Wine Mall is the best place to test the presents you're buying as you do so. Over a dozen wineries are on hand, TV screen giveaways are commonplace, and hundreds of wines are available for tasting. Great way to change it up instead of sitting through lines at the mall, drink your way through lines at the Holiday Wine Mall.

For more Maryland, DC and Virginia wine festivals, you can view the big 20 Virginia wine festivals, the Maryland Wine Events List, and also check in with your local municipality, as more and more cities are hosting their own events and exhibitions for both wine and food.