The Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival takes place October 9 through 11, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM each evening on the east lawn of George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. Sample unlimited wines from approximately 20 Virginia wineries while relaxing on blankets overlooking the Potomac River, enjoying live music, and exploring the Mansion after hours — a rare evening experience. Mount Vernon is at 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121. Saturday is sold out. Friday ($62) and Sunday ($51) tickets remain available.
- Three evenings: Friday Oct 9, Saturday Oct 10, Sunday Oct 11, 6:00–9:00 PM each night.
- Saturday sold out: Friday ($62, members $49.60) and Sunday ($51, members $40.80) still available.
- Unlimited wine: ~20 Virginia wineries pouring. Ticket includes tastings + commemorative glass + evening Mansion access.
- Free parking: Large dedicated lot, but it fills fast. The GW Parkway approach gets congested 5:00–6:30 PM.
- VIP tables: Admission for 12, three bottles to take home, private waiter service. Book well in advance.
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Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival 2026 — Event Details
The Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour is one of Mount Vernon's most popular annual events. Your ticket includes unlimited tastings from approximately 20 Virginia wineries, a commemorative wine glass, and evening access to the Mansion — an experience not available during regular daytime hours. Bring a blanket for the east lawn's open seating, and settle in for live music by Bruce Ewan and the Johnny Burgin Blues Band.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour |
| Dates | Friday Oct 9 – Sunday Oct 11, 2026 |
| Hours | 6:00 – 9:00 PM each evening |
| Venue | George Washington's Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, VA 22121 |
| Tickets | Fri $62 / Sat SOLD OUT / Sun $51 (members 20% off) |
| Includes | Unlimited tastings, commemorative glass, evening Mansion access |
| VIP Tables | Admission for 12, 3 bottles of wine, private waiter service |
How to Get to Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon sits at the end of the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Northern Virginia, south of Alexandria on the Potomac River. The parkway drive is scenic but single-lane in sections, and traffic builds between 5:00 and 6:30 PM on festival evenings.
Parking at Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon has a large dedicated lot with free parking. However, the Wine Festival is the estate's most attended event, and the lot fills as the evening approaches. Arrive early — doors open at 6:00 PM and parking is first-come, first-served. The GW Parkway's single-lane sections create bottlenecks during the 5:00–6:30 PM arrival window.
Why Groups from Maryland Skip the Drive to Mount Vernon
A wine festival creates the same designated-driver dilemma as any event centered around alcohol — and the GW Parkway after dark sharpens the problem. The road is winding, scenic, and minimally lit, making the post-festival drive genuinely unpleasant after three hours of unlimited tastings. For groups of 4 or more from Baltimore, Annapolis, or the Maryland suburbs, a chauffeured wine tour vehicle resolves the problem entirely. Everyone samples the 20 wineries fully, and the driver handles the parkway while the group relaxes on the ride back.
Making It an Evening at Mount Vernon
- 5:00 PM — DepartThe group vehicle picks everyone up from Baltimore or Annapolis. The drive to Mount Vernon becomes social time.
- 6:00 PM — Arrive & Settle InSpread blankets on the east lawn, start sampling wines from the 20 Virginia wineries.
- 7:00–8:00 PM — ExploreWalk through the Mansion in evening light, catch the live blues, explore the gardens. The Potomac sunset from the east lawn is one of the best views in the DMV.
- 9:00 PM — Festival EndsVehicle is waiting. Head home or stop for dinner in Old Town Alexandria (15 minutes north) — dozens of waterfront restaurants within walking distance.
| Couple from Northern Virginia | Drive the GW Parkway. Free parking, short distance. Designate a driver or plan for one person to skip the tastings. |
| Group of 4+ from Baltimore or Annapolis | Book a car service — 60-80 min drive each way becomes social time, everyone samples freely. Call (410) 451-0000. |
| Corporate group or celebration | VIP table (admission for 12, 3 bottles, private waiter) + chauffeured vehicle = complete evening. |
| Solo or couple from DC | Metro Yellow Line to Huntington, then rideshare 10 min. Check Fairfax Connector 101 for return schedule. |
Everyone Samples. Nobody Drives the Parkway Home.
Bayside Limousines has been moving groups across the DMV for over 33 years — 500,000+ trips completed and 1,000+ five-star Google reviews. We own every vehicle in our fleet and employ every chauffeur directly. No brokers, no surprises. Book a sedan, SUV, or party bus for your Mount Vernon wine evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Event details and pricing confirmed against mountvernon.org and Visit Alexandria listings. Saturday sold-out status confirmed. Verify ticket availability directly with Mount Vernon before purchasing.