Best Wineries in Smith Mountain Lake
Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia — updated August 21, 2026
Four places to drink Virginia wine around Smith Mountain Lake, ranked by how reliably they open their doors, from a 4.9-rated winery with food trucks and live music to a weekends-only tasting room in Forest.
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Wine drinking around Smith Mountain Lake runs on a seasonal, weekend-weighted schedule: several tasting rooms open only Saturday and Sunday, and hours shift with the calendar. That makes checking before you drive more important here than in a denser wine region. The four below are ordered by how well they answer the question of where to actually go and drink, with review counts noted so you can judge how settled each rating is.
1. Fables & Feathers Winery
The most thoroughly reviewed winery on this list and the one with the fullest calendar. Its 4.9 rating comes from 131 reviews, enough volume to treat as proven rather than promising. The Goodview tasting room pours a very large flight menu, brings in food trucks during the season for heavier eating, and books live music: one recent Sunday paired classic hits from Ron Downing with an afternoon set from 4:30 to 7:30. Sunday hours have run 11 to 6, and the operation stretches late for occasions like Virginia Beer Day. Worth noting: the event center is sometimes closed for private bookings, which limits indoor seating to the bar while outdoor space stays open. Check the site before making the trip. fablesandfeatherswinery.com
2. Burnbrae Vineyards
A working vineyard in Forest with handcrafted wines and views over the vines, and a straightforward schedule: the tasting room opens Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. That two-day window is the main planning constraint. The 4.9 rating is strong but rests on 27 reviews, so treat it as promising rather than settled. Local listings also mention a double cheeseburger and cold draft beer alongside the wine, which makes it a reasonable stop for a group that is not all drinking Chardonnay. About a 30-minute drive from the lake's northern shore. burnbraevineyards.com
3. Hickory Hill Vineyards
The closest thing to a lake institution here, with a 4.8 rating across 85 reviews, but visiting has changed and you should know that before you drive to Moneta. The winery lists order pickup by appointment for its current operating hours, still ships wine, and notes that its Sunset Saturday concert series ran from 2005 through 2023 and is missed. Wine is discounted for those stocking up. When the tasting room does operate, hours are seasonal and the kitchen carries charcuterie, cheese and other light fare to pair with the pours. Call or check the site rather than assuming a walk-in tasting. smlwine.com
4. SML Fine Wines
A wine shop rather than a vineyard, included because it is the most dependable place near the lake to taste something new on a weekday. Every review so far is a five-star one, but there are only 32 of them, so the perfect rating is thinly evidenced. The draw is the complimentary tasting held every Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Westlake Corner, alongside a broad selection of wines, beers and ciders. Hours run Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday until 7 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sunday. smlfinewines.com