Charlottesville Area Masters of Real Ale

http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?attrID=11470

I visited there in 2003.  Great guy, neat location, many other wineries nearby for the ladies.

80 mins N of CHO

Has a wide variety of products for sale.

I definately need to check that place out.  Sounds like an excellent chance to taste some things that we are not normally exposed to.

Smokehouse Winery (Meadery) is 10 minutes from where I live.  Should be slightly closer to Charlottesville than 80 minutes. True, good place to visit and lots to do nearby: dining, antiquing, hiking (Old Rag, Whiteoak Canyon, Shenandoah National Park) apple orchards, vinyards/wineries.  Even a guy that makes single malt whiskey in his small batch distillery. 

Call to check with the meadmaker/owner John Hallberg for days and times and to see what's available (usually several flavors and types)  He can also put you on his email list for special events of which there are several per year that have bands/musicians etc.

There is a distillery around there too?  This sounds like a great weekend trip.  Take a look at some spirits, try some mead and wine and end up at rappbrew's house for homebrew!