Is there good wine country north of Charlottesville?

Yes. Virginia wine country extends north into the Blue Ridge foothills and Madison County, a quieter, more scenic stretch of the region. Early Mountain Vineyards, in Madison, is the estate to plan a weekend around.

Is Early Mountain on the Monticello Wine Trail?

No. Early Mountain sits just north of the Trail, and just outside the Monticello AVA, in the Blue Ridge foothills — a must-visit for anyone touring Virginia wine country, and the natural base for a foothills weekend.