Moss Vineyards is located in Nortonsville, Albemarle County, eight miles from Stanardsville, and not far from the Swift Run Entrance Station to Skyline Drive. Barry Moss, an architect from Norfolk, planted Moss Vineyards in 2009, with his wife Ellen. They opened the winery in 2012.
Wine. Tier III. Moss won a Silver Medal for their Viognier at the 2021 state-wide Virginia Governor’s Cup wine competition. Moss was awarded three Bronze Medals at the 2020 Governor’s Cup , for their Viognier, Rosé, and Vino Rosso red blend. They presented two bottles at the 2019 Governor’s Cup, both red blends, and were also awarded Bronze Medals. Viognier is the only white under production, along with a Rosé, a Cabernet Franc, and two red blends. The nine acres of vines currently produce about 1,000 cases a year.
Setting. Two stars. Very scenic view over vineyard, valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The tasting room designed by owner Barry has large windows and a nice patio area, a fireplace for cooler weather, and gets consistently outstanding reviews. The dirt road can give you a feel that you’re going nowhere, but there really is a winery here. The property is also used as a wedding venue.
Stories. Skyline Drive. For many Virginia visitors, their most memorable views of the state’s spectacular scenery come from Skyline Drive. The two-lane Drive along the ridge of the mountains, a National Scenic Byway, is the only road running the length of Shenandoah National Park, and has no fewer than 75 overlooks providing views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west and the Piedmont to the east. Virginians and visitors alike crowd Skyline Drive to see unmatched colorful foliage from late September to mid-November, and in Spring to see the colorful wildflowers along the drive, along with blooming azaleas and mountain laurel. Visitors come also for glimpses of wildlife, deer, black bears, and wild turkeys (some of which may cross the road without warning). There is access to numerous trails, campgrounds and resorts. The 105-mile road runs from Front Royal to Rockfish Gap, south of which it becomes the Blue Ridge Parkway, with two intermediate interchanges with US211 at Thornton Gap and US33 at Swift Run Gap. Plans for the road date back to 1924 when a national park was planned in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and the main feature was to be a “sky-line drive” providing views of the surrounding land. Groundbreaking took place in 1931, with depression-are job creating construction running through 1939. The Civilian Conservation Corps played a large part in making Skyline Drive a reality. The most popular stopping points along Skyline Drive include Mary’s Rock (access from Meadow Spring parking area, milepost 33.5), which has 360-degree vistas from an outcrop, and Pinnacles Overlook (milepost 35.1), which presents auto-accessible views and a nearby picnic area. Stony Man is a hike to the highest spot in the park along the Appalachian Trail, while Hawksbill is the park’s highest peak, with a trail from milepost 46.7 and a directional indicator at the top, pointing out all the sights in the extensive view. Waterfalls can be seen at Dark Hollow Falls, Rose River Falls and Lewis Spring Falls. You can visit the site of the first presidential retreat, Rapidan Camp where Herbert Hoover trout fished and entertained world leaders (milepost 52.8). Overnight options include Skyland Lodge, Big Meadows Lodge, and many campgrounds.