My Tranquil Escape to Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard (And How to Reserve Your Stay!)

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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.

Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard

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.

Stunning landscape around Black Branch at Mount Ida Reserve
Stunning landscape around Black Branch at Mount Ida Reserve

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.

Christmas at Mount Ida is enchanting!
Christmas at Mount Ida is enchanting!

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 porch where I stayed at Black Branch
The porch where I stayed at Black Branch

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.

Primary bedroom at Black Branch
Primary bedroom at Black Branch
Primary bathroom at Black Branch
Primary bathroom at Black Branch
Living room at Black Branch
Living room at Black Branch

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.

Delicious burger at Mount Ida
Delicious burger at Mount Ida – made with their own beef

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.

Flight of Mount Ida beer
Flight of Mount Ida beer
Tasting beer at Mount Ida
Tasting beer at Mount Ida
Mount Ida's bar
Mount Ida’s bar

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.

Vineyard dogs keeping us in check
Vineyard dogs keeping us in check

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!

Delicious wine from Mount Ida Reserve
Delicious wine from Mount Ida Reserve

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.

Exterior of our accommodation
Exterior of our accommodation

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.

Our living room from a different view
Our living room from a different view

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.

Guesthouse at Black Branch
Guesthouse at Black Branch

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.

Bathtub in the guesthouse
Bathtub in the guesthouse

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.

Inside Mount Ida's restaurant
Inside Mount Ida’s restaurant

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.

Christmas time at Mount Ida
Christmas time at Mount Ida

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!

More Central Virginia Travel Guides

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Looking for one of the best weekend getaways in Central Virginia? Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard has it all - beautiful accommodation, delicious food, tasting room, a vineyard, and a taphouse. Read more about my stay here! | Weekend getaways in Virginia | VA weekend getaways | Virginia wine country | Things to do in Charlottesville | Charlottesville wineries | Charlottesville restaurants | Restaurants in Charlottesville | Charlottesville brewery | Places to visit in Virginia
Looking for one of the best weekend getaways in Central Virginia? Mount Ida Farm & Vineyard has it all - beautiful accommodation, delicious food, tasting room, a vineyard, and a taphouse. Read more about my stay here! | Weekend getaways in Virginia | VA weekend getaways | Virginia wine country | Things to do in Charlottesville | Charlottesville wineries | Charlottesville restaurants | Restaurants in Charlottesville | Charlottesville brewery | Places to visit in Virginia

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