One of the great advantages of living in Central Virginia is that I’m always discovering exciting new places to explore in the area.
When I heard about Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard, I was thrilled because I immediately realized it would be the perfect weekend getaway for my mom and me.
This guide summarizes my stay at Mount Ida Farm, detailing what to expect, how to book, and all the fantastic activities available on-site.
While Mount Ida Farm is well-known as a wedding venue, it offers more than just that; you can drop by at any time to enjoy its restaurant, tasting room, and comfortable accommodations.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!
About Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard
Located near Charlottesville, Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard is a picturesque destination situated on Mount Ida Reserve.
The Lodge at Mount Ida, originally built as a horse stable in the early 1900s, was later transformed into a cattle barn, maintaining its stunning symmetrical architecture.
The magnificent vaulted ceilings and oak beams have been preserved, allowing guests to appreciate them in this unique event venue, celebrated for hosting weddings and other significant events.
Though Mount Ida is primarily known for its wedding services, I was particularly intrigued by other offerings, especially its taphouse and accommodations!
This blog post shares my experiences enjoying both during my visit in late November.
While Mount Ida caters to weddings that include accommodations, you can also choose to stay independently and relish a weekend in this beautiful Virginia location.
The property includes several accommodation options: Mount Ida Manor (9 bedrooms), Mount Pleasant Manor (4 bedrooms + a guesthouse with 2 additional bedrooms), the Cottage (6 bedrooms), Lakehouse and Bungalow (4 bedrooms + a bungalow with 2 bedrooms), Jefferson Mill (5 bedrooms), Black Branch (2 bedrooms + a guest house with 1 bedroom), and the Stableview Cottage.
I had the pleasure of staying at Black Branch, enjoying a wonderful getaway with my mom!
Mount Ida Reserve lies along the famous Monticello Wine Trail, where you can savor their delicious cuisine (the food was amazing!), craft beer, and exceptional wines.
The menu features various options, including small plates, soups, salads, burgers (I had a delicious one!), sandwiches, pizzas, and more.
They also offer a fantastic Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Be sure to book your table in advance, no matter when you plan to visit!
Led by Jacque Landry, the brewery features a farm-to-pint concept, offering beers like the Frost Moon Hefeweizen (with subtle notes of banana and clove) and the Mystic NEIPA, which bursts with mango, papaya, and citrus flavors.
Offering a wide range of beers from stouts to Helles, I sampled a flight of several options and found them all to be truly delightful.
Mount Ida is also home to a vineyard that stretches across 27 acres at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Managed by Keith Shifflett, several of Mount Ida Reserve’s wines were recipients of the Governor’s Cup in 2024, including the 2021 High Ridge Reserve Red and the 2022 Moonlight Red, both of which won gold medals.
Frantz Ventre, the winemaker hailing from Bordeaux, France, brings over 30 years of experience to the team!
At Mount Ida, you can purchase bottles of wine, growlers, and more to take home with you.
My Stay at Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Mount Ida, marking my first visit to a location along the Monticello Wine Trail.
Usually, I prefer to stay in cities like nearby Charlottesville, but this experience showed me the value of staying in scenic destinations, and I doubt I’ll choose city accommodations again!
Having lived abroad for 15 years, I rarely get the chance to spend quality time one-on-one with my mom.
I was so relieved when my mom was able to take a break from work and join me in this beautiful part of the state for a short vacation at Mount Ida. It truly felt like the perfect location for a girls’ weekend getaway.
As mentioned earlier, my mom and I stayed at Black Branch, which was a surprisingly spacious 2-bedroom house.
Upon entering, there was a downstairs bedroom, a large kitchen, and an expansive living room. The primary bedroom was upstairs and included a spacious bathroom and a porch overlooking the landscape – it was truly breathtaking.
My mom claimed the upstairs room, and I was convinced I’d have to coax her out of it the next morning! I opted for the downstairs bedroom, which was sizable and had an incredibly comfortable bed.
Black Branch also features a small guesthouse (available for rent either with the main house or separately) that includes a bathtub overlooking the property and additional amenities. This offers a nice sense of privacy for part of your group.
Another highlight of my visit to Mount Ida was how the lodge and restaurant area were beautifully decorated for Christmas! The festive atmosphere instantly put me in the mood for one of my favorite holidays.
Mount Ida hosts events throughout the year, and December was bustling with activities, making it feel 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 via their website, where you can choose your accommodations and check availability throughout the year.
Due to on-site weddings, there may be limited availability during certain periods. However, I can confidently say that visiting in the fall and early winter months offers an exceptional experience!
How to Visit Mount Ida Without Staying Overnight
Check Mount Ida’s event calendar to see if any activities catch your interest! You can also visit their restaurant and tasting room during regular operating hours.
A trip to Mount Ida is definitely worthwhile, especially if you’re touring Virginia’s wine country or are in the Charlottesville region.
How to Get to Mount Ida Reserve
Mount Ida Reserve is situated about 19 miles from Charlottesville (approximately a 30-minute drive) and about 72 miles from Richmond (about 1.5 hours of driving time). It is nestled in the picturesque countryside of Scottsville, off Blenheim Road.
If you have any questions about booking a stay at Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard, please leave a comment. Thank you!
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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 over 100 countries and wholeheartedly believes that Brunswick Stew is probably the greatest food to ever exist.
