Fall is a glorious time of year in the Loudoun Valleys, with views of the Blue Ridge, Short Hill and Sugarloaf Mountains. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18 and Sunday, Oct. 19, enjoy this free, self-guided driving tour down tree-lined country roads to privately owned Loudoun County farms.
Some 37 sites, including 14 wineries, are participating in this year's tour. Visit horses, sheep and alpacas; stop by a tree nursery and take a hayride through the fields; or have lunch by a scenic pond.
Choose apples, pumpkins and more from the bounty of the fall harvest. Tour a winery and learn why Loudoun's wines are winning awards and making news throughout the United States wine industry.
New this year are the Philomont General Store where visitors will learn about country-store traditions; Shepherds Corner Farm featuring flower gardens, rare-breed ponies and a soccer-playing Border collie; Sweet Home Alpacas specializes in the breeding of award-winning alpacas; the Taylorstown General Store will have a variety of events highlighting
their 1730s Quaker settlement; and Wegmeyer Farms has more than 20 varieties of pumpkins. New wineries participating this year include Hiddencroft Vineyards, North Gate Vineyard, Notaviva Vineyards, Sunset Hills Vineyards and Zephaniah Vineyard.
Brochures for the Farm Color Tour, including a map and directions to all participating farms, are available at the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, Loudoun County libraries and community centers, the Loudoun County Government Center and the Loudoun Convention and Visitors Association in Leesburg. Tour information is also available at www.LoudounFarms.org, or to have a brochure mailed, call 703-777-0426 or e-mail info@loudounfarms.org.