Wait, can we start the long weekend over? I wasn’t ready. How does it go by so quickly? Thankfully, we had a wonderful weekend that checked all the boxes, including a relaxing getaway to Charlottesville with friends, some reading time by the pool, church and dinner with our community group, some housekeeping catch-up time, and a Labor Day dinner party. But today’s post is about Charlottesville!
As I’ve recently mentioned, for a couple of serial weekenders, it was pretty egregious that we hadn’t yet made it to Charlottesville. You’d think a land of picturesque wineries, preppy college football, and TJ’s house would have been the Markses first stop. So we decided we should go on a UVA football weekend this fall, and when we found our Labor Day weekend calendar completely open, we made some tentative plans. Well, as luck would have it, we discovered over crab cakes in Annapolis that the Porters had the very same idea. Great minds, people.
Pippin Hill Winery
Why yes, that is a path walled in by hydrangeas.
Our first stop was Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards, for a wine tasting, lunch, and some time looking at some green things instead of concrete. And oh my did it deliver.
Not a bad view for a tasting.
I kind of felt like I was trapped inside a page of Southern Living when we walked up to this place. It was lively but not crowded and just so peaceful. Everything was perfectly in place to fulfill any rustic chic Southern winery dreams you can come up with and yet, it wasn’t trying too hard.
Lavender growing along the base of the vineyard.
Hayley and Jeff met us there, and we caught up over a very leisurely paced tasting. We had six pours, and they were delicious, but I think learning more about wine might be on my 30 before 30 list.
We spent several hours outside and then went into the tasting room for a delicious lunch including a charcuterie, some amazing heirloom tomatoes, and sliders.
Yep, I’m wearing that top with white jeans again, because Labor Day. And Jeff is wearing his Oregon shirt to taunt UVA.
It was so great to have a whole day of slow-paced quality time with these sweet friends. I just wish we could have stayed longer!
My sweet hubbie.
Kicking Off Football Season at the UVA Game
Will and I have both always had a healthy admiration for UVA, and we’re thankful that it brings college football so close to our backyard. The moment I walked into the stadium and saw those players on the field, I was so excited I started to feel all the fall feels. College football is my favorite.
They have a Cavalier on a horse!
It definitely wasn’t UVA’s strongest showing, but the fans and the culture are very enthusiastic. Those Wahoos love them some UVA, and we enjoyed being bandwagon fans for the day. We may make a habit of it!
Enjoying Downtown Charlottesville
After the game, we wandered with the masses through campus in the wrong direction before eventually giving up and ubering to Main Street. This downtown is so, so cute!
We had such a fun time exploring, having dinner, watching more football, and topping it off with dessert and more exploring.
Sunday Morning
Will and I had to get back early Sunday afternoon, so we got up at a decent hour and went to breakfast at this adorable Oakhurst Inn Cafe. I had one of the best breakfast sandwiches of my life, and Will had some amazing poached-egg-red wine-asparagus dish.
We had to get back, but obviously we couldn’t leave without getting a glimpse of the academical village! It’s pretty amazing to think that students have been going to college here since Jefferson’s day, and even living in the same little cabins along the Lawn.
It’s not a bad-looking place for a walk! 🙂 This was such a relaxing start to our weekend, and within a little over two hours we were home. We decided we definitely have to go back, because there are plenty more wineries to enjoy, and the Porters found a great hike (with a waterfall!).
How was your Labor Day weekend?
