Tarara Winery is nestled on 475 acres of land in Loudoun County. The grounds at this winery and 2.5-acre apple orchard include picnic tables, six miles of hiking trails and a 10-acre lake.

Taste nine featured wines for $5 or six select wines for $10 in the winery's tasting room. Tours of the chilly winemaker's cave demystify the wine-making process.

From Dave McIntyre, the Post's wine columnist:

Tarara is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, but its wines are gaining new life under Jordan Harris's direction. His newly released 2008 whites are excellent, including a gingery viognier and a quirky blend called "Charval" designed to appeal to fans of Conundrum. In reds, the 2007 meritage blend and 2007 syrah show Harris's talent and potential.

Dates for pick-your-own crops vary from year to year, depending on the weather. These rough dates provide an idea of the harvest seasons at Tarara.

Late July-Labor Day: Blackberries
Mid-August-October: Apples; September apples include Empire, Jonagold, Jonamac, Jonathan, Cortland and Red Delicious. October varieties include Rome Beauty, Northern Spy, Granny Smith and Fuji.