Roseland Polo at King Family Vineyards

Picture yourself sitting on the grounds of a winery, glass in hand and a lush, summer view in the background. You’re chatting with a friend on one side and a friendly stranger on the other, all the while watching mallet-wielding riders tear across the field on horseback. Sounds like quite the enjoyable afternoon, doesn’t it? It’s an afternoon you can experience for yourself at Roseland Polo at King Family Vineyards.

As you may guess from its name, King Family Vineyards is a family owned and operated winery in Crozet, Virginia. With a tasting room open year-round, a Wine Club for devotees of their vintages, and numerous onsite events, this family brings quality, expertise, and a breathtaking setting to their vineyards. One highly anticipated annual event is polo.

Every Sunday from now until the middle of October, you can join fellow vineyard guests in observing free polo matches, which, according to King Family Vineyards, is the “world’s most exciting sport.” You may be asking yourselves, “Why did the Kings decide to bring polo to their winery?” Excellent question. The desire for a polo venue actually came before the plans to build a vineyard and winery: “After David & Ellen King moved to Virginia from Houston, Texas in 1995, their search for a farm had one priority; 12 acres of relatively flat ground for a polo field.” One of the founders, David King, had played polo for years and wanted to carry on the sport in Virginia.

We’re certainly glad they succeeded, because as it turns out, wine and horses make a great combination. (Just check out the nearby wine-tasting trail rides for proof of that!) Don’t miss out on a polo match at King Family Vineyards, and don’t forget to grab a room at Afton Mountain Bed & Breakfast.