***Please note that this My Experience at The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm + Review will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date Virginia Wine scene. This guide was most recently updated as of May 2026.***

Personally, I keep a running list of all the spots I aspire to visit in the Washington, DC area. One of those spots is The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm, due to its lakeside appeal and it being a woman-owned and family-owned winery. Fortunately, I was recently able to cross this lakeside winery off of my bucket list, and I am here to share all about my wonderful experience in this blog post!

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page. For more Washington, DC area travel inspiration, check out my Exploring The DMV page. For a comprehensive guide on Northern Virginia Wineries, look no further than here.

My Experience at The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm + Review

Table of Contents

How To Save at Virginia Wineries (and Beyond!)

Getting There

About The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm + Plan Your Visit

My Experience

How To Save at Virginia Wineries (and Beyond!)

Want to save on wineries in Virginia (and beyond!!), including at Effingham Manor & Winery?! Download Reserve Pass and sign up for YOUR membership today!! Reserve Pass is currently the only app in the United States that is essentially a nationwide wine (and sometimes beer) tasting pass for you and a guest (see more here)! Memberships are available in monthly and annual formats. The key features of Reserve Pass are:

• Explore – by simply downloading the Reserve Pass app, you can simply plan your wine tasting adventure within your own backyard or while on vacation.
• Perks – as a Reserve Pass member, you get to enjoy exclusive perks while touring historical sites, strolling through vineyards, and tasting local wines.
• Revisit – unlike just any old coupon, you can revisit any of the wineries you loved and get the same Reserve Pass deals with them time and time again.

Interested in getting your own Reserve Pass today?! Interested in trying Reserve Pass for yourself?!?! Use my discount code “ktwine40” for 40% off an annual membership today (value: $69).

For more details on Reserve Pass, look no further than here. For a comprehensive guide on Northern Virginia Wineries, look no further than here.

Getting There

The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm is located in Gainesville, Virginia adjacent to Lake Manassas and is best accessible by car. There are no nearby Metro stations or public transit options if coming from Washington, DC and it is best to get there via driving. It is worth noting that the winery is located off of back roads via the Prince William Parkway (if coming from Washington, DC/other parts of Northern Virginia), so plan accordingly. However, once you arrive at The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm, you will NOT regret your visit there!

Address: 15850 Sunshine Ridge Lane, Gainesville VA 20155

About The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm + Plan Your Visit

The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm is open Sunday 12pm-7pm, Wednesday-Saturday 12pm-9pm, and closed Monday (Except on Federal Holidays) and Tuesdays. You can reserve your table here. Please note that walk-ins are welcome, too. Pets are not welcome onsite and must be kept on a leash. Additionally, visitors to the winery must be 16+ only.

Located in Gainesville, Virginia on Lake Manassas, The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm is a winery and events venue and the only local winery boasting lakeside views. The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm was created by Maria Rafferty with the talents and experience of three generations of family before her and, to this day, is a woman-owned and family operated business. Whether you come to savor a glass of wine or beer, take in local artwork, enjoy some live music, or host your private event, The Winery at Sunshine Ridge truly has something for every wine enthusiast!

Upon visiting The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm, please keep the following in mind:

• Walk-in’s are welcome, but reservations are highly encouraged. Click here to make a reservation.
• All guests must be aged 16+.
• Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash at all times.
• No outside beverage is allowed. Outside food is allowed but must only be eaten and enjoyed outdoors.
• This is a card-only place. Cash is accepted for tips.

For more information on policies, look no further than here.

My Experience

Wine Tasting + Flights 

While at The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm, I enjoyed an incredible wine flight consisting of several of the winery’s incredible, award-winning wines. When visiting The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm, visitors can select 4 wines to try. I ended up ordering a glass of rose as a rose enthusiast, too! While listening to live music and taking in incredible lakeside views, there is truly no better place to savor a wine flight! Highlights of my wine flight and wines to choose from include: 

• 2022 Viognier – This Viognier fragrant with the scents of cantaloupe, vanilla cream, and dried wild flowers. Giving a full-mouth feel, this wine provides soft and creamy notes on the palate.
• 2022 Pinot Gris –  Providing bright and crisp notes of Asian pear and clean citrus, this Pinot Gris leads to a light and tangy mid-palate with a balanced acidity.
• 2021 Riesling – This medium-bodied, off-dry Riesling has a refreshing limestone minimality throughout it, consisting of a nose of lemon-lime, cantaloupe, and lilac.
• 2020 Rosé  – With notes of strawberries and cream, shortbread and baked cherry pie, this balanced wine has a hint of sweetness and a clean finish.
• 2021 Cabernet Franc – This Cabernet Franc provides aromas of sweet dried strawberry, black raspberry, and green peppercorns which leads to a taste of bramble fruit and bell pepper. this Cabernet Franc, With soft tannins and a balanced acidity, is light and easy to drink but has enough complexity to age for years and get better as time goes on. 
• 2023 Merlot  – With notes of vanilla, berry crème brûlée, caramel, cooking spices, and a touch of smoke on the nose, this Vintage Merlot has grippy tannins and the palate is bursting with fruit-forward flavors of elderberries and black currants and ending with a lingering finish.
• 2020 Meritage – Giving off Aromas including red fruits such as cranberries, cherries, and red currant with hints of baking spices, The palate of this 2020 Mertiage presents red fruit flavors along with a hint of caramel and vanilla with grippy tannins and a lingering finish.
• 2020 Petit Verdot  – This Petit Verdot’s Aromas include a slight hint of dried tobacco, coffee grounds, and baking spices such as clove and nutmeg with a palate presenting bold flavors of dried cherries, black currant and licorice with a hint of warm wood and pepper. Well structured tannins and medium finish. 

Learn more about the wines and beers at The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm here.

Additional Offerings 

Amongst beautiful views of Lake Manassas and an array of wines and beers to choose from, The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm has plenty of additional offerings that make it a place that truly has something for everyone, including:

• A lively event calendar, including live music, karaoke night, and food trucks. View the most up-to-date event calendar here.
• An art gallery with artworks for sale at the second floor lounge. Artworks are made by local artisans and are rotated out quarterly. The second floor lounge is a beautiful space offering panoramic views of Lake Manassas. Be sure to check this spot out while savoring a glass of wine!
• The Golf House – a seasonal unique lakeside driving range experience. Visit the winery’s website to plan your driving range experience.

Wrap-Up

The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm is such a fun and unique spot to savor a glass of wine, enjoy some artwork, take in some serene lakeside views, and perhaps try golfing at a driving range. Whether you experience this incredible Northern Virginia winery for its lakeside views, events, or to attend a private event, you will not leave without having a good time. Truly, there is something for everyone at The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm!

A special thank you to Reserve Pass and The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm for coordinating my visit and sponsoring today’s blog post. Without their support, The Pink Chickadee wouldn’t be where it is today!

XOXO – Katie <3