Mom’s Apple Pie: Locally-Sourced and Hand-Made Baked Goods

Known for their hand-peeled Shenandoah Valley apple pie, Mom’s Apple Pie’s quaint Leesburg location offers a potpourri of fruit flavors, including Shenandoah peach, Virginia blackberry, sour cherry and red raspberry. Mom’s ensures that only the finest ingredients fill their delicately flaky, buttery crusts by growing their own fruit and harvesting it at its seasonal peak. Regional offerings such as lemon chess, bourbon walnut and pecan pie are executed by Mom’s dedicated bakers with authentic expertise. Not limited to just pie, hearty breads and a wide variety of hand-held treats are baked in-house, including coconut macaroons, novelty-size “monster cookies” and cinnamon rolls perfect for pairing with a hot cup of coffee.

Stop in during the week from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to browse their dessert cases and treat yourself to a sweet slice of authentic Virginian flavor near BLVD l Loudoun Station.

Mom’s Apple Pie
220 Loudoun Street, SE
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 771-8590
http://www.momsapplepieco.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/moms-apple-pie-bakery-leesburg

Casanel Vineyards: Quaint Winery with Gorgeous Scenery

With a tasting room created from a restored stone barn, Casanel Vineyards reminds guests of the early tradition of wine-making with its rustic feel and high-quality vino. Family-owned and operated by parents and their five daughters, Casanel has extremely knowledgeable pourers who will go to great lengths to educate. Each tasting offers great wines like their Chardonnay Mas Que Nada and guest favorite Don Lorenzo White, which is a blend with a Pinot Grigio. After the tasting, you can head downstairs to the cellar, where there is often live music, or outside to a more intimate spot on the vineyard. There are over 40 acres of land to explore, so you’re sure to find a relaxing place to picnic with their wine and a selection of gourmet snacks. The tasting fee is $5 each for groups up to nine. Groups of 10 or more pay $10 each and also receive a Casanel Vineyards souvenir glass!

Casanel Vineyards
17952 Canby Road
Leesburg, VA 20175
(540) 751-1776     

Banshee Reeks Nature Reserve: Hit the Trails

In a fast paced world, Banshee Reeks Nature Reserver invites visitors to this Leesburg nature reserve to leave their stress behind and get back to nature. The reserve sprawls over 695 acres of former farmland along The Woods Road. Visitors can enjoy over 20 miles of trails through hardwood oak and hickory forest, open fields, and alongside Goose Creek. The abundant and varied wildlife and habitats will delight nature lovers of all ages, while the 1830s log cabin and bank barn will thrill history buffs. Banshee Reeks is open to the public on weekends, though regular visitors caution that staff and volunteers are only on site two weekends each month, so first-timers should check the website before planning a trip. The site is host to many events, guided walkabouts and nature walks, wildlife watching activities, and volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Treat yourself to a few hours of quiet solitude while hiking one of Leesburg’s most beautiful open spaces!

Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve
The Woods Road
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 669-0316

Fabbioli Cellars: Earth-Friendly, Family-Owned Winery with Flair

Known among both guests and fellow wine-makers for their friendly and welcoming service, Fabbioli Cellars creates a wonderful wine-tasting experience for large groups, couples, or those on their own. Greeting with a smile, the pourers lead guests to a beautiful and inviting tasting room. The $10 session includes 8 wines and your choice of either chaceuterie or chocolate, both of which are made locally. The most popular wine is the Raspberry Merlot, which incorporates raspberries grown on the premises. After the tasting, visitors can sign up for a class in wine appreciation or vineyard management, learn about the sustainable farming methods that are in place on the winery, or just relax on the patio. Parties of eight or more need a reservation, and the largest group they can accommodate is 16. For its charm and welcoming spirit, Fabbioli Cellars is among the top places to visit for wine and fun in the area.

Fabbioli Cellars
15669 Limestone School Road
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 771-1197     

National Sporting Library and Museum: A One-of-a-Kind Archive

Housed in two beautiful and historic buildings, the National Sporting Library and Museum is completely dedicated to the culture of equestrian and field sports. The Library has been open to researchers and the general public for over 50 years, but the Museum is an exciting new addition! There are over 24,000 books and works of art here dedicated to the histories of angling, foxhunting, horsemanship, and steeplechase. Museum exhibitions focus on one particular artist, theme, or time period, like Afield in America: 400 Years of Animal & Sporting Art 1585-1985. There are special events and lectures as well, including a children’s program and even interviews with trainers of Kentucky Derby winners. Admission is free, though the museum and library have different hours of operation, so check the website ahead of time if you want to visit both. Anyone interested in this unique subculture should definitely check out the National Sporting Library and Museum.

National Sporting Library and Museum
102 The Plains Road
Middleburg, VA 20117
(540) 687-6542     

Catoctin Creek Distilling Company: Lift Your Spirits

When Catoctin Creek opened in 2009, it brought legal spirits back to Loudoun County for the first time since Prohibition. The family-owned distillery produces a line of four organic spirits. Rye grains are the basis for Catoctin’s whiskey, gin, and of course, rye. The company also makes a pear brandy and seasonal fruit liqueurs for those in search of a fruitier spirit. Visitors to the Purcellville distillery can enjoy a free 30-minute tour of the facility, and tastings are offered at specific times throughout the week. Catoctin also offers up events throughout the year such as bottling workshops in which participants are invited to assist in the bottling process, festivals, farm tours, and concerts. Visitors love the opportunity to meet and talk to the owners and employers to get the inside view of the distilling process. Committed to making high quality products, Catoctin Creek proves that Virginia is for spirit lovers, too!

Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
37251-C E Richardson Lane
Purcellville, VA 20132
(540) 751-8404

Loudoun Symphony: Established Local Symphony Shares Its New Home

Now in its 21st season, the Loudoun Symphony offers world-class music and arts performances featuring musicians at all professional levels. Formed in 1990 as a community orchestra, the Loudoun Symphony has steadily risen both in status and in service to the wider community. Two adult groups, the Symphony and String Workshop, are both well-known for their excellent performances. Led by conductor and musical director Mark Allen McCoy, the symphony performs pieces both modern and classic, from the traditional Symphony No. 4 in E-flat Major “Romantic” by Anton Bruckner to The Phoenix which was completed and first performed in 2008. Other popular performances are by the Loudoun Youth Symphony, featuring children ages 10-18, and Loudoun’s Got Talent!, a student competition. In the 2010-2011 season, the Loudoun Symphony found its home in a gorgeous state-of-the-art 800-seat auditorium in Virginia Academy, and from there will undoubtedly continue to delight audiences for years to come.

Loudoun Symphony
7 Loudoun Street SE
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 771-8287     

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