(NITN): As we welcome the fall season with its beautiful shades of orange, yellow, and red we also celebrate Virginia Wine Month. This year brings some significant wine news to celebrate as well.
The Virginia Peninsula region was recently named the state’s ninth official AVA (American Viticultural Area) by the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, noting the unique growing conditions of the area and its distinct impact on the wine produced.
This new AVA, located near the coast, consists of five wineries for visitors to enjoy: The Williamsburg Winery, Upper Shirley Vineyards, New Kent Winery, Saude Creek Vineyards, and Gauthier Vineyard.
While representing just a small number of the more than 300 wineries to be found in Virginia, the new AVA helps visitors decipher where to find a unique and distinctive taste to tempt their palettes.
CAPITAL ONE CENTER OPENS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA
The Capital One Center in Tysons Corner is a new multi-use entertainment complex providing a range of new experiences for visitors. Capital One Hall offers Broadway shows, local theater, and world-renowned concerts as well as special events. The Perch – a literal park in the sky – is located at the top of Capital One Hall and features a sculpture garden, games plaza, miniature golf, performance stage, and the Starr Hill Biergarten. Also on site is the
Watermark Hotel, complete with its own dog park in the sky for visitors’ four-pawed friends. The entire complex is next door to the McLean Metro station, making the new Center an easily accessible destination from points around the region.
KESWICK HALL REOPENS FEATURING MARIGOLD BY JEAN-GEORGES
Keswick Hall, one of Virginia’s storied destinations since 1912 has reopened, following a complete, multi-year renovation and expansion. Guest rooms and suites, common areas, the infinity pool, and cabanas have all been reimagined and a new dining experience added to the resort’s already extensive amenities. Marigold, the signature restaurant helmed by acclaimed, Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten was first to open over the summer and has quickly become one of the most sought-after reservations.
WORLD’S FASTEST MULTI-LAUNCH COASTER COMING TO VIRGINIA
Busch Gardens Williamsburg has announced that Pantheon, the world’s fastest multi-launch roller coaster, will open in March 2022. The exciting new roller coaster will feature two inversions, four launches, five air-time hills, a 95-degree drop, a height of 55 meters, and a record-breaking top speed of nearly 120 km per hour.
ARCHER HOTEL TYSONS OFFERS UNIQUE VIRGINIA EXPERIENCE
ARCHER® Hotel Tysons opened late in September, only the seventh property for the award- winning boutique brand that places major emphasis on local discoveries, with a distinct nod to the destination each property calls home. At the Tysons location guests will find plenty of examples of our famous Virginia is for Lovers brand, along with a large variety of Virginia- focused art and products.
CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER NAMES ALEXANDRIA A TOP 3 BEST SMALL CITY IN THE U.S. 2021
The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as “the best of the best of travel.” More than 800,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers across the globe submitted responses in this year’s poll. Alexandria has ranked among the top five Best Small Cities for four consecutive years and now has moved up to number three.
The charming city wasn’t the only Virginia offering to be noted. The Jefferson in Richmond and The Inn at Little Washington both made the list for Top 25 Hotels in the South. Primland Resort, Auberge Resorts Collection, was one of three Virginia properties to make the Top 20 Resorts in the South list, ranked at #5, along with Colonial Houses in Williamsburg at #17 and The Omni Homestead at #20. The Salamander Resort and Spa was ranked #19 of the Top 30 Destination Spa Resorts in the United States.
