Located in downtown Danville, on the banks of the Dan River, two miles from the North Carolina border. Two Witches (or 2witches to be precise) is a family-owned nanobrewery and winery. Julie and Ethan Brown planted the vineyard in 2009, and the urban tasting room and brewery opened its doors in 2014.
Wine. Tier III. Grapes for Two Witches wine come from the winery’s associated vineyard in Callands. The four-acre property grows Petit Verdot, Traminette, Muscat Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Owner Ethan is the winemaker.
Setting. Comfortable “hole in the wall” feel. Aside from their own wine, the tasting room also offers sangria, apple wine, and rotating wines from “guest wineries” elsewhere in Virginia. Pub snacks available. Live music and/or open mike on some weekends: check their schedule. December brings a Christmas Ugly Sweater event.
Stories. Natural Virginia: Fishing on the Dan River. The 200-mile Dan River flows between Virginia and North Carolina, and is one of Virginia’s favorite fishing destinations. The River originates high along the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Patrick County, near the Meadows of Dan, and flows easterly until it empties into Buggs Island Lake near Clarksville, Virginia. Fishing on the Dan River is for all seasons. Rising in the West, the Dan River is a sparkling mountain stream and home to the native brook trout. The upper Dan here lends itself to the wading angler. Traveling farther east, the public access on the lower Dan River is generally best for small motorboats. The Dan flows through a deep gorge within the Pinnacles Hydroelectric Project owned by the City of Danville, where it has been dubbed the Grand Canyon of Virginia, rugged and spectacular country that appeals to the hardy. In this area the trout fishing becomes first class for rainbow and brown trout in the six-mile section between Talbott Dam and Townes Reservoir. Migratory fish running out of Buggs Island Lake and flathead and blue catfish are the heart of the lower Dan River fishing. Walleye begin moving as early as January, and the white perch and white bass begin to migrate when the dogwoods bloom in early April. The most popular is the striped bass run that begins in late April and continues through May. There is also some winter fishing for walleyes. Two Witches would be a good place to go after a long day’s fishing.