DETAILS: Va. Wine Country

The Monticello Wine Trail Web site ( http://www.monticellowinetrail.org), a creation of the Jeffersonian Grape Growers Society in Charlottesville, offers detailed maps and information on five "trails" that lead to 24 area wineries. The site also has links to many lodging and dining possibilities.

* Burnley Vineyards (4500 Winery Lane, Barboursville, 540-832-2828, http://www.burnleywines.com). Open daily from 11 to 5 in December, and then from 11 to 5 Friday through Monday from January through March. Tasting fee is $2 (which can be applied toward wine purchases) and allows you to sample up to 13 wines.

* Barboursville Vineyards (17655 Winery Rd., Barboursville, 540-832-3824, http://www.barboursvillewine.com). Open Monday through Saturday from 10 to 5 and Sunday from 11 to 5 year-round. Tasting fee is $4, which gets you a souvenir glass and the chance to sample up to 17 wines.

* Horton Cellars Winery (6399 Spotswood Trail, Gordonsville, 540-832-7440, http://www.hvwine.com). Open daily from 10 to 5 except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Tasting is free except on special-event days, and you may taste up to 47 wines (although the vineyard strongly recommends that drivers sample no more than 12).

* Keswick Vineyards (1575 Keswick Winery Dr., Keswick, 434-244-3341, http://www.keswickvineyards.com). Open daily from 9 to 5 except major holidays. Tasting fee is $5 for five wines and $8 for eight wines and includes a souvenir glass.

-- S.V.