Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery

A Virginia Winery that Welcomes Your Whole Family 

Prince Michel is one of the East Coast’s premier wine estates, and one of the oldest and largest wineries in Virginia. However don’t let “premier wine estate” scare you off as a parent. It’s an explicitly family- and pet-friendly place, and it’s far more than a tasting room. It’s also home to Prince Michel and Rapidan River wines and the Tap 29 Brewery & Pub, so there’s something for everyone in your group. Founded in 1982 by French vintners Jean and Sylvian Leducq and now owned by Kristin Easter, one of only a handful of female winery owners, the whole place runs on a refreshingly unpretentious philosophy: wines should be enjoyed, and the best wine is simply what you like.

Why Families Love It

This family friendly winery near Charlottesville offers something for groups with a mix of ages and tastes. Adults can sample award-winning Prince Michel and Rapidan River wines, enjoy a cider flight, or cool off with the popular wine slushies. Meanwhile, everyone can dig into the food. Guests consistently rave about the pizza, pretzels, and pub fare from Tap 29. Better yet, this winery welcomes families, dogs, and first-time visitors alike, so no one has to stay home. Visitors frequently praise the spacious grounds, as well as the friendly staff, eclectic gift shop, and live music that transforms a sunny afternoon into a memorable outing. Above all, the winery’s hospitality-first approach helps first-time guests feel comfortable instead of intimidated, making it an especially easy choice for families.

What to Expect

It’s an easy and pretty drive, roughly 40 minutes north of Charlottesville to Leon. No reservation is needed to visit, so head to the tasting room to sample the wines (a wine slushy flight is a fun place to start) or over to Tap 29 Brewery & Pub for craft beer, cider, and food like pizza and pretzels. Bring the kids and the dog; there’s plenty of space to spread out, beautiful views, and often live music. Leave time to browse the shop before you head home, and it’s worth checking princemichel.com beforehand to see what’s on, from live bands to tastings to seasonal specials.