The area’s fruitful soil has more recently placed Leesburg at the center of Washington, D.C.’s wine country. Thomas Jefferson was among the first Americans to envision a strong viticulture for Virginia, but that dream is only now becoming a reality. There are some 35 wineries in the Leesburg area, including the recently opened Stone Tower Winery, where visitors can tour the vineyard and sample vintages like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Viognier. Set on 200 acres of rolling hills south of Leesburg, the grounds highlight the commonwealth’s rustic beauty.
Nearby, antebellum homes like Morven Park and the Oatlands Plantation offer museums, nature trails, and lush gardens. Leesburg’s natural beauty and multifaceted history help explain why General George C. Marshall and his wife, Catherine, took up residence in the town in the 1940s. The estate blends natural and historical beauty and boast one of the country’s oldest greenhouses.
The former wheat plantation became a destination for Washington, D.C.’s elite during the 20th century and continues to offer tea service between Thursday and Sunday. A venture inside their former home—now preserved as the George C. Marshall International Center—offers a personal look at the life of the decorated World War II general and former U.S. secretary of state.
The center also has an especially popular neighbor. Across Market Street is Mom’s Apple Pie Bakery where the famous signature dish and other delectable pies, cookies, and cakes keep people coming through the door.
A stroll along South King Street reveals local treasures like boutique Crème de la Crème, with its china, linens, and unique housewares. Turn the corner at Loudoun Street to find goods by local artists and craftsmen at Weathered Elegance. If shopping works up an appetite, then The Wine Kitchen Leesburg provides seasonal fare and a wide range of vintages. Far more than two days would be needed to visit all of Loudoun County’s vineyards, but The Wine Kitchen handily serves more than 40 of the region’s wines by the glass or in tasting flights.
Perhaps the ideal finishing touch for a weekend stay is an appointment at the Lansdowne Resort’s Spa Minérale for one of its state-of-the-art therapies. With a view overlooking the Potomac River, it’s the perfect vantage point for soaking up the joys of a little Virginia oasis that has something for everyone.
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