Otium Cellars

If you are looking for a unique winery and vineyard in Northern Virginia, look no further than Otium Cellars. I came across this winery while heading home from another in the NOVA area because I just wasn’t finished drinking wine for the day! Now it has become one of my favorites in Virginia.

Otium Cellars is a small winery that has been open since 2012, located right outside of Purcellville, VA. on a family owned equestrian center called Goose Creek Farms. The winery is owned by Dr. Gerhard Bauer, his son who is the GM/winemaker (Max Bauer), along with winemaker Ben Renshaw. The first vines were planted in 2007 with the first vintage being in 2009. With a German vibe to the tasting room and the rolling hills behind horses grazing, it’s a beautiful setting to enjoy a glass of wine.

What I love about this winery is the German feel to it and the “unique to Northern Virginia” grape varietals that are grown.

My personal favorite is the Blaufrankisch. A dark skinned grape grown mostly in Austria.

• Ripe dark fruits, baking spices, rich in flavor and tannins, beautiful dark purple in color.

They also grow some other varietals unique to the VA soil such as:

• Gruner Veltliner: a white wine grown typically in Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia. It has dark green skin, crisp and acidic taste, flavors of green apple and citrus.
• Dornfelder: a dark skin grape originating from Germany. Dark fruit aromas with smooth velvety tannins.

They have many other varieties such as merlot, chardonnay, malbec, pinot gris and cabernet sauvignon.

If you are interested in trying some Austrian/German grape varieties but don’t have the time or money to get to Europe, visit Otium Cellars! The staff is friendly and helpful and the wines are delicious!

Know before you go:

• Tastings-$12
• Tastings with souvenir glass-$15
• Add chocolate with red wine tasting-$5
• Group tastings (8 or more people)-$15
• Dog friendly (not allowed in tasting room)
• You must call ahead if you have 8 or more guests to reserve a table.
• Light fare is available for purchase.