Attractions

You can easily see George Washington's Birthplace, Stratford Hall Plantation, and the Ingleside Vineyards as a day trip from Fredericksburg or as stops on the way to Irvington. To do this area justice, plan on at least 3 days if you go on to Reedville and Irvington, 4 days if taking an all-day cruise to Tangier Island.

On The Wine Trail

The Northern Neck has five operating vineyards and wineries that have bound together to form the Chesapeake Wine Trail (tel. 800/393-6180; www.chesapeakebaywinetrail.com), whose website will help you plan an inebriated tour.

The oldest, largest, and most convenient to visit from Fredericksburg is Ingleside Vineyards, 5872 Leedstown Rd., Oak Grove (tel. 804/224-8687; www.inglesidevineyards.com), off Va. 3 on the Rappahannock River side of the Peninsula. You'll get here before arriving at Washington's birthplace and Stratford Hall, so go easy on tasting the Virginia Brut, a handcrafted sparkling wine.

Others are Irvington's White Fences Vineyard & Winery (tel. 804/438-5559; www.whitefencesvineyard.com), a relative infant whose Meteor Bright reds and whites already have won awards; Athena Vineyards & Winery, 3138 Jessie Dupont Memorial Hwy., Heathsville (tel. 840/580-4944; www.athenavineyards.com); Belle Mount Vineyards, 2570 Newland Rd., Warsaw (tel. 800/335-5564 or 804/333-4700; www.bellemount.com); and Oak Crest Vineyards & Winery, 8215 Oak Crest Dr., King George (tel. 540/663-2812; www.oakcrestwinery.com), near Colonial Beach.

Barefoot Stomping in Irvington -- Irvington's White Fences Vineyard & Winery (tel. 804/438-5559) sponsors the Irvington Stomp (www.irvingtonstomp.com), one of the Virginia's most unusual festivals. During the festival you can actually stomp grapes with your bare feet, just as they do in Europe. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 16, free for kids 5 and under. The stomp is held on Saturday of Labor Day weekend.