Linden

Staff were all super friendly and welcoming. They worked as a team and always made sure we were taken care of during the tasting. We really enjoyed the side by side comparison for each wine, as well as the depth of knowledge they had about the wines, vineyards, winemaking process, and farming. The views and property were stunning and the tasting room was clean and relaxing. We stayed and had a bottle after our tasting - they do serve food (very simple: bread, olive oil, maybe a local cheese). A very chill vibe for a Friday afternoon at the vineyard!

Unfortunately, I have to echo the other one star reviews here: linden is very un-accommodating. It has been our favorite vineyard, we have been members multiple times, but after our visit there this weekend, we won't be returning or recommending it to others. I have lived in this area my entire life. There are only three businesses I will not revisit due to service issues. Linden is one of them. Recommend trying Crimson Lane instead.

Exceptional Chardonnay and very good Sauvignon Blanc. The reds were good but young. The person pouring was very knowledgeable and provided great information on the different growing seasons and terrior of each wine. The setting was gorgeous, great views. The owners daughter even gave us a tour of their cellar. A great experience.

We stopped into Linden after a seven-mile hike on a snowy day. So glad we did. It's a beautiful ride up the driveway past rows of vines. Inside, it's bright and sunny with pretty views. In the summer you can sit outside on the deck; in the winter they have a great side room with a wood-burning stove oven and the same views. We did the wine tasting for $20 a person. I wish I asked the name of the guy who poured for us. He was great, knowledgeable, and gave us enough information to understand each wine without hovering over us too much. Then we each had a glass of the "17 Chardonnay, warm baguette, olive oil and manchego cheese. Perfect post/hike afternoon. I'm guessing that Linden can get crowded in the spring and fall. But Winter was awesome.

Linden Vineyards is one of the finest vineyards in the country, and also in the world. Cultivating great wine in Virginia is demanding work: the weather is difficult and the humidity requires that constant attention be given to canopy management. Too much heat, or rain at the wrong time, or other unpredictable factors make the vintner's skill paramount in coaxing land and sky and weather out of every bottle. Jim Law, one of the founders of modern Virginia wine, is past master of all of this, and much more. That's why his label is known and admired worldwide. Be warned: this is not a "beginner's vineyard." Linden asks that people come with a degree of seriousness and a desire to learn. A policy of parties no greater than four assures that servers can attend to each person and answer questions in-depth. I'd also add that if you're looking for fruit-forward wines, easily-accessible wines, this is not your place. Linden follows a classical European style, with a certain austerity and careful attention to the terroir. The wines are a statement of what happens when human skill interact with land, weather, and sky to produce beverages that are true to themselves, their vintner, and their place of origin. How good is this? Years ago my wife and I moved out of Virginia, saving Linden's wines for special occasions. I still remember opening that first bottle. It smelled of home and took us back. When we finally moved back home, Linden was one of the first places we visited. Good wine-making cannot be rushed. Neither can good wine-drinking. Come and let the wines open up slowly, telling you their story and inviting you to let them become part of yours. If you want a place that is purposely austere so that the wines can speak without clash, and where you can drink them in a place that pays simple homage to their setting, look no further.

Great experience, fantastic wine and excellent service! I highly recommend this to anyone whether you're wine aficionado or just exploring.

Based on our recent visits, Linden has corrected the issues that caused some of the bad reiews of the past. We are not club members and reserved a tasting in September 2023. My wife was not participating. The staff offered her a choice among several rooms in which to sit and asked if she preferred the windows open or closed, and then brought her a blanket and water to drink - they couldn't have been more accommodating. We were welcome to sit anywhere we liked after my tasting on each visit. The tasting staff were amazing, and were able to explain the winemaking process and vineyard management for each wine poured and were happy to answer questions. Owner Jim Law stopped at the bar a few times. And while I was finishing my tasting, two or three small groups appeared without the requisite reservations. Jim greeted them and said he could do a tasting for them at a separate bar. After my tasting, I joined them just to listen to what Jim had to say about his wines. I declined a pour saying "I just finished a tasting at the main bar." His reply was, "yes, but you didn't taste this one!" as he poured it for me. It was a sublime experience. As a result of the great first experience, I signed up for a special tour a couple weeks later on the day they were sorting the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the once-in-a-lifetime 2023 vintage. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable as she guided us through the vineyard and very busy production areas. Jim broke off his hard work a few times to give us samples of different wines in various stages and to add information. Meanwhile, the staff was keeping my wife comfortable in the winery. It is too bad these stars don't go to 11, because that would match our experiences at Linden.

If I could give 6 stars, I WOULD! We always enjoy coming here and enjoying the beautiful setting of Jim Law's rustic tasting room while overlooking his perfectly-pruned vineyard. Jim has been VERY instrumental in the VA wine industry and has been a huge part of the fact that some VA wineries have national as well as international acclaim! Here's a good article on Jim: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/jim-law-of-linden-vineyards-the-virginia-wine-industrys-oracle-marks-30-years/2014/06/05/b1aac8e2-ea82-11e3-b98c-72cef4a00499_story.html If you aren't seriously into wine or enjoying the library-esque setting that is Linden, you might not understand why so many truly appreciate visiting as well as enjoying Linden wines. This is definitely NOT A PARTY PLACE! Please don't bring a party or large groups, you won't be welcome. There are plenty of bar-style wineries in VA that are suited for large crowds where you can enjoy mediocre wines... this isn't one of them. Jim's staff is incredible as well! We love that we see familiar faces each time we go and appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and great service they provide. If you are learning wine, this is a great place to learn! The staff are all quite capable of helping you learn and while enjoying their incredible wines.

My husband and I have been to Linden at least 100 times over the last 18 years, and we have never had a bad visit. It is always a pleasure to be greeted by the tasting room staff.

I can't believe it's been over 4 years since I did my last review of Linden. Well, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, everything I said last time is still true. This is one of the best wineries in the state, period. If you don't believe me, do a poll of local winemakers who they think is the best. They will point to Jim Law, Linden's owner/winemaker. If you STILL don't believe me, ask local somms or wine shops what Virginia wines they carry. If they do, a disproportionate number carry Linden's Chardonnay, perhaps his red blends as well. If you STILL, STILL don't believe me, research fancy wine reviews from folks like James Suckling. When they visit Virginia, they go to Linden, RdV, and maybe Glen Manor (the last two were mentored by Jim Law...see a trend here?). Yes, this place has a 'members only' vibe to it which is off putting to new people who only visit on the weekends. But that doesn't prevent you from doing a wine tasting, a cellar tasting, or sitting on the patio. Of course there's an excellent chance you'll want to buy a case and become a Linden member as well. It's worth the price. To those who complain about the 'no group' rule, I'd be happy to recommend lots of other places to visit. Please respect the peacefulness of Linden. This is a quiet location that doesn't do groups, music, or other events. That may garner a one star review from some, but to me that's worth 5 stars by itself. My favorite wine is their 2015 Hardscrabble Chardonnay. But I've yet to find a wine I didn't like here - even for varietals that I normally don't buy. And despite going to literally hundreds of places in Virginia my favorite wine itinerary includes sitting on Linden's porch, ordering a cheese plate and getting a glass of...well...just about anything.

Deliciousness - 4/5 Happiness - 4/5 Linden is one of the first and oldest wineries in the area. This was absolutely a cool experience. The winery itself is located on top of a hill giving you a truly breathtaking view of the surrounding area. We sat on a balcony and took in the fresh air while sipping some great wine. I HIGHLY recommend you reserve a tasting in the wine cellar. It is a great tour in that unlike most wineries, you get to go down to the cellars and sip wines amongst the oak barrels and dozens of lit candles. The tasting also has you taste the same wine produced in different years so that you can really appreciate how different environmental conditions can impact the taste. I never had an experience that made me truly understand the difference a year can make like this one. I will echo that the staff at the main bar seemed pretty brusque, but that was a little bit of gloom in an otherwise fantastic experience.

We came here on a rainy day as nonmembers and were able to have essentially a private tasting. The quality is apparent and care blows away a lot of the other local wineries. This is not a place to come with a big group but if you have a more serious appreciation for wine, it's up there in comparison with places we've visited in Charlottesville, Oregon, and Napa vs. most of the other Virginia wineries closer to NOVA. And it really is a lovely spot. I can imagine it would be frustrating to not be able to linger when busier as a nonmember, but we had a great experience.

The beauty of the property is 5 stars plus. The wines I would round up to 4. The tasting room experience is suboptimal. Let's talk wine first. This based on the tasting and bottles we purchased. Their 2014 Claret is very good. Toasty somewhat coffee like. The 2011 Petit Verdot was also good. Spicy and just a little too tannic for me without a food pairing. I love their 2014 Chardonnay. It's like a crisp apple with some woody tones, but no over the top stick of butter like flavors you get in some cheap Chards. Parking is limited at Linden. Check out their website. They have lots of restrictions, which many may find annoying. The two major negatives for me were: 1) we were trying to relax and escape from DC politics and yet they had political signs up. I don't care who they support either way. I just don't care what my wine maker thinks about politics; and 2) My wife and I brought a friend and we did three wine tastings and bought several bottles. Yet when we asked to have a full pour glass and sit on the deck we were told that is for members only. That's just absurd.

The premier wines in Virginia. Come for the quiet atmosphere and let your senses be opened to the wines. This isn't the place for groups, but rather for serious œnophiles who enjoy the slower pace of Fauquier County. A must visit!

For the record, I have passed the IWG first level sommelier exam. Jim Law and Linden Vineyards are both craft and business leaders in the Virginia wine scene. Every couple of years I visit, taste, and buy a case of wine. In a blind tasting my wine friends all called his Hardscrabble Chardonnay a delightful and no doubt expensive French Burgundy. I am tasting his 2016 Hardscrabble Red right now. Lovely hints of forest floor and shaved pencil lead to a polished dark fruit midpalate. It is still ruby at the edge and drinking very well. On many visits and tastings, my experience has always been good.

Re-visited Linden last Sunday (05/30/2010) with a good friend. We arrived late in the afternoon and there was quite a few folks on hand tasting wine. We were greeted with a friendly smile and tasted wines upstairs - and noticed that Jim Law - the owner and winemaker was lending a hand pouring wine. We signed up for the last Cellar Tasting of the day - as a treat - found that Jim was conducting the Cellar Tasting - double bonus! We got to taste the latest releases upstairs. My favorite was the Seyval, but all were nice wines. In the Cellar Tasting, we experienced three pairings: two Vintages of Avenius Chardonnay; two vintages of Hardscrabble (a blended red) and two dessert wines. Jim's descriptions of the methods and philosophy of wine making was an enjoyable accompaniment to the wine tasting. I liked all six wines we sampled in the Cellar Tasting - although I would not be able to drink a lot of the Dessert wines - very sweet! Afterward, we bought a couple of glasses of wine and sat out on the Deck and enjoyed ourselves. For the folks that have contributed negative reviews to Yelp about Linden - there is nothing I can say that will change your mind. BUT I will say that you were never at Linden years ago and the place was overrun with belligerent drunks who think a winery is a place to get drunk, run amok, and misbehave. I saw it several times - with my own eyes. I have no problems with the restrictions that Jim Law has put into place - and there are NOT "numerous" rules - there are three: (1) No buses (2) No groups larger than six (3) Use of the deck is restricted to Case Club members An important caveat: For those who need to stress their problem with the deck policy - what every single one of them has conveniently omitted is that groups of up to four folks who are not members of the Case Club - can access and use the deck on Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays (April through November). I welcome these policies. It has helped return Linden to a peaceful, serene, winery experience. And I have never experienced or witnessed any of the so-called rude behavior that has been attributed to some of the winery staff. While it's entirely possible, I sure would like to see some video of the interaction. I'm betting some of those encounters included some self-important folks who think the world revolves around them. Linden continues to be my favorite Virginia winery. If you don't like Linden - no worries - most everyone else does. They sell out of their wine EVERY year.

Linden was by far my favorite winery during our recent excursion. The place looks like a giant lodge out in the country - lots of wooden construction, warm lighting, and even an old-fashioned fireplace in their indoor patio (accessible to their "Case Club" members)! We had a lovely tasting of enjoyable wines at the counter of the entry floor. Our pourer (Mary?) was lovely and jovial and shared with us a little bit about the winery. While I liked the half-dozen or so wines that we tasted, they were nothing compared to the treat we were about to experience, because we were pretty easily talked into their cellar tasting ($12)... After about a ten minute wait, we were led downstairs by Shari Avenius (isn't that a way cool name?!) into the darkness of the cellar. It was like a setting right out of a Poe story - cement floors, lots of stacked wooden barrels, a plank of wood on top of two upright barrels to serve as a tasting counter, and lit taper candles here and there, providing a dim glow. Comfortably inviting - moody - mysterious. It turns out that Shari (a regal, handsome lady!) is one of the three growers for Linden, and she knows her wine, along with the grapes that go into it. We had a great time listening to and discussing with her, and were blown away by how beautiful the wines we tasted were. We tried two whites, two reds, and a quasi-dessert wine that was mind-blowingly paired with a rich miniature blue cheese cheesecake. Of the two reds, one was a 1999 library wine and another was a 2005 wine made with very similar grapes (soil, weather, growing time) as the earlier one. I thought it was brilliant to pair up the two to see how a really bright new wine can mellow out into something so much richer and more complex. As a clueless wine taster, this really helped me grasp what the big deal is about aged wine. Although the cellar wines were nominally more expensive than any of the other wines available during our trip, I definitely enjoyed them far more. Linden is certainly on my short list for vineyards to come back to, should the opportunity present itself!

Linden Vineyards is amazing with incredibly knowledgable and friendly staff, I don't care what anyone else writes on here. Our group (4) did a special cellar tasting with Jim Law (omg!) and it was amazing. Each wine we tasted was just beautiful. This is really a place if you truly want to enjoy wine and sincerely want to learn more. I will say, I was a bit skeptical because some reviews weren't so great but a local Linden resident told us that this place is hands down the best. I am so glad we listed to her. If you want an immersive experience, this is a the place! We also did the regular tasting upstairs and Michelle was really awesome. Definitely recommend!

Great vineyard and very good wine. Despite the other reviews about the other servers, our server Amanda was great! Luckily we didn't get the server that people are complaining about since that would probably change my view. Amanda is great, friendly and knowledgeable and makes linden winery an especially enjoyable place. We consider it a treat to get to linden from the DC area and look forward to going back. The wine is also very good-definitely some of the best in Virginia. Love going back!!!

My husband had received a few gift certificates for tastings from work and one quiet Sunday we decided to take a drive with some friends and check it out. This place is located at the top of a hill, with a semi steep drive up- a warning to anyone with a low car or without 4 wheel drive. When we arrived at the top we saw a tiny parking section that thankfully had some spaces open. Walking in it was almost as if we were walking into a ski resort. It had a very log cabin feel. There are 2 tasting areas in the main room and a small room with tables and chairs off to the side where you can order a cheese plate and enjoy the view. The view was not spectacular while we were here, but it absolutely has the potential to be at the right time of year. Stephanie helped us with our tastings. We tried 4 wines 2 white, 2 red. The reds were a bit dry for my palette, but I did very much like their Sauvignon Blanc (not usually my 1st, 2nd or 3rd wine choice). So much so that we purchased a bottle. I look forward to visiting again in the spring or fall to take in the views.

Not able to speak to the quality of wine because of the rudeness of Kathleen when greeting us. We called ahead of time to make sure we could have 2 groups of 4 people and they said yes, however it seems that information was not relayed to the unkind hostess. We left soon after being put off by her.

We had made arrangements to come to the winery for our team holiday day events. We were welcomed by a "lady" called Kathleen with the most toxic, abject, rude attitude. You would think you are stepping into Cheval Blanc or Pétrus but no it is Linden VA. We turned around and went to another winery. I hope the owners realize tuf damage that this could cause their winery. We will make a point to never buy one of their wines and make sure to share our experience with our network. Their wines happens to be as pretentious and mediocre as the attitude displayed on site

We were astounded by the most unwelcoming host, Kathleen, that greeted us as our very well-mannered and quiet group of 9 arrived at Linden today. Offensive and rude are not even strong enough terms to describe her behavior before we stepped foot on the property. We will take our business elsewhere for our team holiday gathering. Very sad to see there are still businesses that project their type of customer service in what's soon to be 2020. Not to mention we called the vineyard while planning to ask if we would be welcomed today with a group of our size.

Everyone said this place was great so I drove the hour up to go check it out. They were tasting five wines in the tasting room. The place itself was really nice and had a great view on the deck and stuff. The wine itself was just OK to me. I like California style bold wines, they did not have this here (Yes I know this is Virginia). What I find is sometimes winemakers in VA try so hard to be different that they make something that is very foreign to most wine drinkers. I was hoping to find something I liked here and enjoy a glass and the view, but nothing really stuck out for me here. I would like to go back and try the cellar tasting where you may get some other styles. This place was not bad by any means, the wines they had on the tasting sheet on the day I stopped in were not for me though. I am sure given another chance with some other wines I may change my mind...

The wines here are excellent. Period. Many people complain about the rules of the vineyard, namely that they do not allow large groups and the deck is for members only on the weekends. Clearly many people are turned off by this however anyone serious about wine would have checked their website before driving there and would have seen the rules. The owners prefer a quiet, intimate environment for their guests unlike some other vineyards that offer subpar wine and cater to the basic bitch millennial crowd. Virginia is full of wineries and vineyards to suit every style. If you don't like how this vineyard operates, there are plenty more elsewhere but don't go writing bad reviews about how they operate when a cursory check of their website would have saved you a long drive.

The folks at Linden Vineyards were kind of enough to provide a tasting even though we showed up 4 minutes til closing! We tried five wines (2012 Seyal, 2011 chardonnay, 2011 Red, 2010 Petit Verdot, 2010 Vidal Riesling) at a bargain price. My favorite was the chardonnay as it comprised of orange zest, fresh straw, mineral water, sea salt and vanilla cream. End result was a smooth, yet not too sweet, tasting wine. The grounds at Linden were scenic as it was Winter time with plenty of snow still around. I definitely plan to return during the Spring time with ample time to taste and explore this time around.

Would t have known about this place (it's not on the 2017 wine map), had it not been for my gps. I was looking up places after going to winding road to pick up an Easter wine, and thought I'd give it a shot. I'm amazed I never discovered this place sooner. The wine was wonderful, and my server was very knowledgeable - we got to conversing about how the spring weather was affecting their crop, and about the three vineyards where they get their grapes. Their Rose is a great wine, with a subtle dry touch that'd go great with their ham. I also really enjoyed their Claret, which was made from the same grapes as the Rose. I did ask if I could bring a tasting of their Rose on the deck to enjoy after my tasting. They were fine with it, and I had a lovely time enjoying the views, and talking to some other guests there who had glasses. To those who had bad experiences with not being on the deck, I feel shocked (it was the best part of the experience). However, I think their stringency may depend on the day/time. I went on a Friday shortly after noon. Not a lot of people in the area in general. My guess, if you want to sit on the porch/deck, go during less busy hours.

We had a very bad experience here. We stopped by after a hike in the area. We did not want to do the full tasting at the inside bar but instead wanted to buy a bottle of wine and sit outside. Although there were plenty of empty seats outside, a young woman walked up and said we could not buy a bottle of wine since we aren't "members." She kept insisting that we do the tasting but we didn't want to try all of the wines. Rather, we wanted to buy glasses or a bottle. With very few customers in the place, she essentially refused to let us do so. There were only 3 of us - not a large group- and we would have bought a bottle of wine, plus food. We might have even bought other bottles of wine to bring home with us. We simply wanted to have a relaxing visit. With all of the competition and other great wineries in this area, we wish this place the best of luck. We will certainly never go back.

JIm Law isn't called the Premiere winemaker in Virginia for fun! Without a doubt his wines are superior!!! Those on this blog who complain about his rules of no limos or parties larger than 4 aren't playing fair. The Linden website lays out the rules very clearly and gives the reason for them. Jim deserves the utmost respect for taking Virginia wines to a higher level. Love this Place!!!

This review is purely regarding my experience today, so this isn't about the wine itself. If you want to read my review, this will give you a sense for the people we interacted with today. 1. My friend called in advance to see if limos were ok, we have 4 people. That's fine. This is our 3rd stop in our wine touring. We called in advance to each venue to ensure we were abiding by each vineyards rules. 2. This vineyard will CRUCIFY you if you have a limo or other form of public transport. Again, we have 4 people. We walked in and within 30 seconds the lady made it known limos weren't acceptable and she wasn't going to worry about it, but someone would immediately go outside and talk to our driver. Get over it guys - you should be upfront with folks that are trying to get ahead of drinking and driving. The wine tasting lady we met, absolutely obnoxious. She couldn't get over the limo. 4 people. Dude. I don't understand. Are you physically capable of focusing on my patronage? No, she's not. It got worse. The limo driver, who is literally following our instruction, comes in asking what she should do because he's upset the owner. He doesn't understand because there is plenty of parking. 3. Come here if your Prius is driving. Bring your 1 friend. Don't bring your other friends. If I hadn't been treated like garbage, I'd tell you about the wine, but you know what, your staff was so rude that someone else in our party asked if we could leave because they were uncomfortable. If you care about staff, these folks could use a lesson in etiquette.

Still one of the best wineries in VA if not THE best. Love their 2010 Chardonnay. Didn't care for the Claret as much as we did Nov 2012. Pretty views.

I visited to the Linden Vineyard a few weeks ago with a small group of people for a wine tasting. Our group came from different parts of the USA to do the VA winery tour. This was the first winery we visited that day so it is fair to say that we did not show up with a ' wine buzz' from other winery visits. Our experience: An older woman with short-medium length blonde hair spoke to our group in a very crass and abrupt manner that included a mix of continuos passive-agressive comments, and direct rudeness that went on throughout the entire wine tasting experience. The behavior seemed to indicative to an unaddressed mental health issue, not just horrible customer service. I actually enjoyed the wine but taking in to consideration the way we were treated we decided not to purchase anything. We did not address her and decided it was best to leave as soon as the tasting was over. I imagine not all the staff behave this way but this one woman really soured the experience for the group. It seemed that other visitors that day had a similar experience because when we exited the venue we heard a small group of people discussing her attitude as well. We compared notes with them and it was the same theme----- passive aggressive comments and rudeness. We travelled so far to visit the Linden Vineyards and it was so disappointing to encounter such behavior and start our day of visiting wineries this way. I do not plan to return to this winery.

I wish I could speak to the quality of the wine at Linden, but my party was so turned off by the incredible rudeness of the staff that we left before trying any. I understand the importance of maintaining a relaxed atmosphere in the tasting room, but the behavior we witnessed was downright absurd. Our group was not a loud, drunk hoard, but a small, mild-mannered bunch in our late 20s and 30s. The minute we set foot in the door we were made to feel extremely unwelcome. The hostess practically pressured us to leave. It was all deeply unnerving.

Here's the deal. There are plenty of wineries in Northern VA within driving distance of DC. Some make good wine, some make terrible wine. However, literally none of them are worth the price. Most places that have a decent red are charging $30-50 a bottle. Which is funny, because at that price I could go to a wine store, pay their hefty markup, and come home with a bottle SIGNIFICANTLY better in all respects. Or five bottles of equal quality. I saw some people raving about the wine here, comparing it to places that are famous for their wine. Yeah, it's good for NOVA, but that doesn't mean it compares to other similar price point wines from other regions. That's just a fact. So for myself, I justify the cost as part of the experience to visit the winery, have a tasting and enjoy a glass/bottle in some fabulous scenery. Which for this place is where the problem comes. As you may have read, if you're not a member of their club (entrance gained by buying a case of overpriced wine), they will not treat you with much respect. You will not be allowed to do the thing you're actually paying for, enjoying a glass of wine in the countryside. Most VA wineries understand this trade off. They grossly overcharge for the wine and provide a really nice atmosphere to enjoy it in. Somehow, this placed didn't get the memo. Also, as an addendum, it bothers me that Yelp has "buried"loads of well written and spot on reviews that were less than favorable which are "not currently recommended" and thus don't have an impact on the overall rating. Usually, these are reviews where the person is complaining about something that is unreasonable or isn't the fault of the business. Not so with many of these reviews (scroll to the bottom, click on "other reviews that are not currently recommended" and see them yourself).

Linden has hands-down some of the best wines I've tasted in Virginia. An A+ Sauvignon Blanc and a Rosé that was just great. Both had a kind of bubbly mineral feel that you don't get elsewhere. And unlike most wineries in the area, Linden can make reds with complexity and good mouthfeel. Everyone else does reds that are usually too thin and flat and won't age more than a year or two. If you are a big group of pals in a limo, or a family with kids in tow, you will probably not enjoy your time here. But if you're in a small group and actually enjoy finding and tasting new wines, do not skip Linden. No one else in the area is making wines as interesting as they are (except maybe Glen Manor, just down the road). Also: while they're strict with their rules and guidelines, if you follow them you'll be treated well. We got extra tastings because we listened to what our pourer had to say about the wine. They're proud of what they make, and rightfully so.

My experience echoes that of many reviewers. We were out on a girls' weekend and decided at the last minute to hire a car so that we wouldn't need to worry about driving drunk and could enjoy our wine tours. Linden was our first stop and we were treated like trash. We were lectured on the size of our group (just 6 of us) and our ride. The woman conducting the tasting kept going on and on about how our group was too big and what an imposition it was. She said she would call our hotel to tell them not to send people -- even though our hotel didn't make the recommendation! It didn't matter that 4 out of the 6 people in the group bought a bottle of wine in addition to the wine tasting. But even that didn't make her treat us any better. In fact, when one group member said she'd like to purchase a bottle, the woman rudely reminded her that she needed to pay for her tasting, as well -- as if my friend were trying to avoid paying for that. Before we left, we discussed getting a glass at the next vineyard and not at Linden. The woman said that option wasn't available to us anyway since it's only for club members. Since we clearly discussed NOT getting a glass at Linden, the clarification was wholly unnecessary. Anyway, the whole event took less than 20 minutes and left a bad taste in our mouths. There are so many wineries in this area, avoid this one. Chances are, they don't want your business anyway.

Had a great day hiking with two friends and decided to hit a winery and have a glass before heading back to Fairfax, VA. A quick search showed Linden Vineyards was only a few miles away. We arrived and were greeted by a woman who gave us the usual intro chat but added that since it was the weekend and were not members we were technically not invited to sit at a table but if we were will to do the tasting she would make an exception. I was a little taken back and after conferring with the group let her know we just wanted a glass of wine. As we starting discussing their wine choices she cut back into the conversation and again let us know that we were not welcome BUT if we wanted to do a tasting ($28) we could stay. I politely, and clueless still at this point, said we just wanted a glass of wine. Well, she let us know in no uncertain terms that would not be possible. My jaw dropped. There was no sign indicating it was a private club that day. We left and happened upon the next closest winery, Fox Meadow Winery. We had a great time there and I'll post a review for them next. At Fox Meadow a nice guy, a former Navy Seal, came over and asked what had happened at Linden Vineyards. Apparently he and his wife had witnessed our abrupt dismissal. We explained our story and he was shocked as well. He and his wife had agreed to the tasting so they were able to stay. He did mention that there was no way he was going back and the wine they were planning to order online was not going to happen. Here's my summary plain a simple. If you are a member and enjoy the exclusivity and friendship then I'm glad you found a place you can call home. If you are out with friends on the weekend and looking for a nice place to visit you may want to look elsewhere....

Why would you patronize a place that doesn't want customers? Bottom line is that unless you are in "the club," you are not welcome. Was in the area picking up my allocation of wine from RdV, a new winery nearby in Delaplane. I had heard positive comments about the wines from Linden and I had long meant to visit, so I thought that we'd drop by for a tasting; I want to support our local wine industry if possible. I checked the website and confirmed that they were open. We arrived to a crowded parking lot. We walked in and a woman greeted us with a smile, which I returned, "Are you here for the barrel tasting?" Obviously we were not, and when she found out that we were not in the wine club, her smile turned into a frown. "You can taste over there," and she pointed to the bar, "it is five dollars a piece." In spite of the warm welcome, we tasted three wines. I've spent a reasonable amount of time wine tasting and I have to say that these were the smallest three pours I have ever seen. I mean, barely a drop of wine was placed into our glasses. Given the stingy pour, the wines were difficult to evaluate. As we were finishing (which took all of 8 minutes) the bartender asked the couple next to us whether they would like to buy some wine and some cheese and baguette. We were hungry from our drive and when he turned back to us, I asked whether we could order the same. "Sorry, I can only sell you food if you order a case of wine." Wow. "We also don't have any of the reserve wines available and we have a shortened list of regular wines to taste. Sorry. We're busy today. That will be $10." We left. Talk about shabby treatment (did you know that they don't let you sit down inside the building unless you are a "member?"). I buy a lot of wine and regularly hold tasting events for friends and colleagues. I will not be buying any Linden wines and will be sure to relate this experience the next time someone asks me for advice (which happens quite often). Wine tasting is suppose to be about the opportunity to taste wines that you haven't otherwise experienced, and to establish a relationship with a winery. I found Linden to be an inhospitable place and I would not visit unless you want to feel marginalized and second-class. Frass Canyon of VA.

One star for the beauty of the property which was stunning. Was shocked that they would not allow us to sit down or stand out on the porch and have a glass of wine because we were not members. Wish customer service was as good as their wine (that I did not get to taste). We even offered to buy a bottle of wine to drink there...just disappointed that we drove from DC because this place was recommended. All representatives of the brand lacked compassion.

First impression: wow, this place is gorgeous! Up on the hill with a beautiful view...surrounded by grape vines...oh and look at this gorgeous tasting room! What a perfect blend of rustic and modern. And look--they have ceiling fans connected by cable wire! The interior design nerd in me just loves that. The dining area looks like the perfect place to have a drink after our tasting. Everyone is having so much fun in there! Tasting impression: this lady giving us our tasting has style. I love her necklace. I'm going to tell her so. Oh good, she was flattered...I couldn't decide if she would be since she comes off a bit snobby. These wines are pretty tasty. I especially like this Chardonnay. It's oakey but not too oakey. Really smooth. This Claret is kind of interesting...but not my favorite. I think I got spoiled by the reds I just had at Glen Manor. I DO like this Petit Verdot, however. Full bodied but really smooth...lovely! Last impression: ok, we bought some of the Chardonnay and we're ready to drink it! We're going to take a seat in that lovely looking dining area. Oh, what's that? We can't sit there? It's only for club members? So where can we sit? NOWHERE? You're telling me we can't sit anywhere in this tasting room to enjoy the setting and lovely views because we didn't buy a whole case?? So what are we supposed to do then, LEAVE?? We ARE?? Jesus you sure are snobby in this place. Thanks for your mediocre wines!! Harumph!

Such a shame...I was ready to join a wine club membership on my last trip out to Virginia's vineyards, and I was hoping that place was going to be Linden Vineyards. But unfortunately, my last experience was much more like my second visit (refer to my original review) than the awesome initial trip. In fact, the service just seemed so snooty and stand-offish that I just was so put off that I not only decided that I not to join the membership, but I decided that I just never wanted to go back. This is a shame, because I definitely think that Linden has some if the better wines of the region and one of the most beautiful stretches of land I've seen in the area. But a vineyard trip is not just about the wine, it's about the ambience, the feeling you get when you're sitting under the sun and overlooking rolling green hills and clear blue skies. But, while the sample is small, my experiences at Linden left me with a sour taste that overwhelmed my enjoyment of the wine. Maybe Linden just wants to cultivate this assumed "high-brow", overly pretentious vineyard that caters to the 1% as opposed to the standard weekend visitor/taster. If that's the case, then they're doing it very well. But for folks like me, the casual drinker just trying to enjoy a nice weekend in the Virginia hills, Linden lost a visitor and a possible member with that strategy.

Update: I bought a bottle of Linden chardonnay over the weekend at a wine store and it is probably the best chardonnay Virginia offers. This wine store also had a Virginia Wine newsletter (Spring 2011 edition) and I picked up a copy - low and behold, a lengthy interview with Jim Law, the owner/winemaker and someone many wine lovers in the state call the father of Virginia wine. He explained in full detail why Linden has some of the policies it has, and I have more sympathy about these policies now. Chateau O'Brien doesn't allow dogs and kids. Chrysalis will put your kids in a "kiddie corner" if you bring kids. Linden only allows case club members to use their deck. Their winery, their rules. When it's about the wine and creating an intimate experience, I suppose these rules are fine. As many (myself included) have stated, there are plenty of wineries in the state that open their gates up for bachelorette parties, "ladies afternoons," and other rather annoying Virginia winery traditions. Mr. Law was asked if he has any pet peaves, and he went right into a discussion about Blackberries and cell phones, and why people are more obsessed with these little devices than the real world around them. When I'm at a winery, especially a scenic one like Linden, the LAST thing I want to do is dive headfirst into a gadget and enter the Matrix. It's a sad statement on current society when many of us get more pleasure from virtual reality than reality. I still give Linden three stars because some of his staff (one woman in particular) have the emotions and friendliness of a sand flea. But I have more compassion for his policies now and can always find his wine at some area wine stores to savor his craft.

Linden is one of my favorite Virginia wineries for many reasons. The wines are clearly made with care and are of exceptional quality, the Tasting Room has an aesthetic refinement that is particularly pleasing, the view is spectacular, the employees are friendly and knowledgeable, the tastings are well-priced (as are the wines)... I could go on and on. For me, Linden sets the standard for Virginia wineries; the bar is quite high and few can compete! It's all about the wine and the environment here - which is how I believe it should be. The very policies that seem to upset some customers are the same ones that keep me returning to Linden. Yes, the deck and food service are restricted to Case Club members on the weekends; Linden appreciates their loyal customers and wants to provide the best experience possible for them. (Disclaimer - I'm a Case Club member myself.) I know that when I visit Linden I will not be accosted by drunken revelers fresh off the drunk bus, musicians doing bad covers or talking too much, a Tasting Room full of rhinestone covered T-shirts, Family Fun Day, theme parties, or squealing bachelorettes. There are plenty of wineries that provide some or all of these things so if that's what you are looking for, visit them and leave Linden for the rest of us!

This winery is a joke. Only "club members" are allowed to use the patio. There ware probably 2 people on the patio and 10 open tables and they still wouldn't let us purchase a bottle and sit at a table. I have been to over 50 wineries and I have never had this type of experience.

If you like Virginia wines at all, you will enjoy Linden's wines. Proprietor Jim Law has been in the business longer than most (all?) in the Shenandoah area and produces high quality wines that are competitive with Northern California wines. The wines are also consistent, even when the weather is not. There is a reason why you will find Linden's product at fine dining restaurants and high-end grocers in the DC area. The experience visiting Linden is terrible, though. I've been maybe a dozen times over the past 15 years, and now I hope not to go back. I think Law's aim is to create a quiet, adult experience in the tasting room and to host visitors without it infringing on his enjoyment of his property. I don't argue with these goals, but the strategies used to achieve them are unpleasant. From signs along the driveway, to notes in the tasting room, to rules on the website, all visitors to Linden are scolded. It's akin to inviting an acquaintance to dinner and then sending her a terse email that reads "Your children are not invited. Don't park in my driveway. You cannot stay past 10 p.m." No matter how lovely the meal you then serve is, the tone you have established is inhospitable. To operate a wine-making business is one thing; to have a public tasting room is to be, in part, in the hospitality business. You will not see a restaurant, bar, or hotel address its guests in the manner that Linden does - with good reason. If Law truly feels that creating his desired environment with more subtle signals is impossible, perhaps it is time to go to a reservation-only tasting room, as one sees at many Napa wineries. If you get past The Rules, the tasting room is still uninviting to visitors who aren't case club members. On one visit I purchased a bottle and was told I was "welcome to drink it elsewhere," when left standing dumfounded. During a subsequent visit, I attended a cellar tasting that was tedious. It was run as a class, and we were instructed to sniff at our wines for several minutes at a time. (I was admonished for sipping too early when I lost my patience.) When I stated my honest opinion that I find Viognier bitter - not Linden's, specifically, but the varietal - I was told I didn't know what I was tasting because it's never bitter. While I am no wine expert, I do always keep three to four cases of it around the house, and I don't find wine purchasing intimidating. Yet, I still consider Linden staff to be the perfect embodiment of what one thinks of when imagining the stereotype of wine snobs. I like Linden's wines too. I just can't figure out how on Earth they are converting people from tastings to case club memberships when it is so hard to make the intermediate step of buying a glass or a bottle. Even those who feel they can easily afford upwards of $260 for a case might not want to casually spend the money until they are better acquainted with the product. The point of visiting Virginia wineries is to be a wine tourist. The experiences - enjoying views, lingering over glasses, eating, socializing - are as important as tasting good wines. I don't drive more than an hour from home to experience a wine maker's greatness and then be ushered out the door 15 minutes later. Nor do I reward rigid business that treat me with indifference by dropping $300 to be part of their miserable club. Rather than Linden, I recommend Glen Manor for very high quality wine. Rappahannock Cellars and Chester Gap have enjoyable wines as well. I always find a few wines I like at Gadino, where I enjoy cheese snack plates, gorgeous views, and games of bocce too. The staff at these lovely tasting rooms will even offer you smiles and pleasant conversation.

Linden vineyards is a place that puts the wine first and follows the owner / winemakers philosophy that what you drink is a product of soil, sun, precipitation, wind and elevation. The problem comes when you put people in the mix. If you are not interested enough in the terroir of the wine to the degree that you'll buy a full case you are not welcome to use the deck or inside room to sip and nosh on weekends. As a neighbor to Linden we have recommended them countless times as the quintessential wine and winery experience. Higher elevation viticulture does create more Bordeaux oriented wines and great views from the deck. Buying a bottle of wine and tasting it on the deck is really the whole experience for Linden. Requiring patrons to buy 11 more bottles to get that full experience is like buying a timeshare when all you wanted was an overnight stay. Linden is very highly appreciated for many of their wines but my prediction is that turning off visitors with these policies will create an erosion of goodwill that may create a drop off in on and off premises buys. There have got to be other ways to deal with the rowdy parties that upset the pastoral decorum.

Beautiful locations and great wines. Although we were kind of ignored at first (we were a younger group of 3 people) once we got more accepting service the tasting was wonderful. I am kind of a wine snob but she answered all my questions and even suggested a few food pairings if we were to take a few bottles home. We ended up splitting a bottle on their porch area with a terrific view! I will be back the next time I'm in the area.

Linden was an early player in what has become a veritable eruption of wineries and general explosion of growth in the Virginia wine industry. The same problem today plagues Virginia wines as it did at the inception----inconsistency. While many wineries are at long last providing a consistently higher overall quality across their wines, Linden figured this out long ago, and produce no duds. If you sample Linden's wines, you will likely find all of them are well crafted, solid examples of their respective style. Frankly, they make some of the best Virginia wine there is to be had. Our stop at Linden included a cellar tasting, which I highly recommend. Our $12 got us a tasting of a 1999 cab sauvignon to compare to the 2005 cab. What a treat! 1999 was a vintage year in Virginia, and this wine was amazing: chewy, soft, plummy deliciously perfectly viscous. Also included with the cellar tasting was a dessert wine, paired with a unique and delicious gorgonzola cheesecake, served warm; the perfect compliment to the dessert wine and a welcome ingestion at the conclusion of the frigid cellar tour. Linden has a beautiful setting, their tasting room perched above the vineyards known as "hardscrabble"; the name given to the vines grown right there. They also use grapes from two other vineyards, and our cellar tasting was conducted by one of the growers, Shari Avenius, whose eponymously-named grapes we had in splendid liquid form at the tasting! All-in-all, Linden is not to be missed. But heed well their sign: No groups larger than six at the tasting room! They want to avoid the Napa overcrowding syndrome, and having been to Napa, this is a wise policy. Enjoy the peace of Linden and the fabulous wines.

Here and Pearmund are my favorite wineries in VA. For quality, its very close, I can't choose at this point to be honest. Maybe in writing this out, I can figure it out for both the reader and myself. First, the location. If you live in DC, its not so bad, its just straight out on 66 and then about 5 minutes off the highway. That said the transformation from highway to winery is stunningly beautiful. The ride out itself is also enjoyable if you just enjoy getting away from the city for a while. I was lucky, I knew the big March 2009 snow storm was coming, and at the time there was only a dusting, so the mountains were covered and the idea that snow was coming put a good feeling on the whole thing. Someone said it was like a ski lodge, I think that's fairly apt. One thing, its incredibly hard to find if you don't have the address mapped in a gps. There are winery signs to everywhere except Linden, and linden is known as likely the best in VA. Odd to me. Anyway, we found it... we pulled up and were greeted by a nice friendly face who wanted to show us the wines of Linden. We tried five wines, a few of which were very good, and on the whole, all good quality. That said, I wasn't overly impressed by the sample wines. A lot has been made about Linden's private balcony for "Case Club" members, they let us sit out there and enjoy a glass of wine and cheese while we decided what we wanted since it was our first visit. We decided to order glasses of wine not on the tasting list, and were greatly impressed and lucky. The Hardscrapple Chardonnay is beautiful, as is the Avenuis Chardonnay (I liked the Hardscrapple, my gf liked the Avenuis; we got two of the Hard and one of the Ave). I then tried the most expensive and trademark of well crafted reds, the Boisseau. It was amazing, great color, great legs, and best of all great flavor. I bought three bottles. Needless to say, I ended up joining the case club quite happily. Now the possible drawbacks to some. Its somewhat expensive. A case will get you 10% off, but most of the wines, and the best tasting/quality were upwards of 30 dollars. More than most wineries in VA. For cost/value, I think Pearmund wins out as you get 20% off of a case and the wines don't cost as much to start. There has been some talk about it being a bit pretentious. I don't think that's so. They know their wine and they appreciate talking about their wines with those that know anything about wine and have an interest in it. I appreciate that, but that's just me. I do recommend that everyone should give it a shot for quality and for the experience. I think the case is worth it, as you'll have some for your cellar if you have good company (get some of the dessert wines, great texture and quality), or if its just you and someone you care about, plus then you get to take a trip out of the city and enjoy the countryside with great wine and cheese around others who love wine. How can you beat that?