Community

B&B GUILD DONATES $500 TO HUNGER RELIEF

December 28, 2019by Cheri Shields0 comments

Leesburg, Va., December 23, 2019 – The Loudoun Bed & Breakfast Guild, a local association of distinguished member properties and associated partners, is honored to present a $500 donation to the Loudoun Hunger Relief this holiday season. The donation was presented on Tuesday December 16, 2019 at the Loudoun Hunger Relief offices by Ellen Goldberg, President of the Loudoun County Bed & Breakfast Guild to Jennifer Montgomery, Executive Director of Loudoun Hunger Relief (See Picture Below).

The Loudoun Hunger Relief (LHR) notes on their website that  “through the help of others, we have never turned away a hungry family. $.96 of every dollar we receive goes directly to program services. You invest in your community and neighbors through LHR.”

“Donating money, food or grocery cards is one of the critical things the community can do for the hungry in Loudoun County,” said Ellen Goldberg. She continued, “The Guild thought that feeding those in need is a wonderful easy to help others — especially at this time of year.”

About Loudoun Hunger Relief

Loudoun Hunger Relief, Loudoun’s leader in food assistance, has been serving the Loudoun community since 1991. Last year, LHR served 8,000 Loudoun residents. 40% of those served are children and another 13% are senior citizens. LHR truly helps low-income, working families in Loudoun, with 68% of those served employed and another 15% actively seeking employment. Residents in need can visit twice per month and receive enough food to create three meals for three days for each household member. LHR distributed 1.4 million pounds of food last year. For more information, please visit www.loudounhunger.org  or call 703-777-5911.

About Loudoun County Bed & Breakfast Guild

The Loudoun County Bed and Breakfast Guild is a registered 501(c)(6) non-profit business association founded in April 2004. Its members are a diverse collection of independent, boutique properties ranging from historic homes, stately mansions and modern resort-like estates to full-service inns, classic B&Bs, and vacation rentals — all in Northern Virginia, just 25 miles outside Washington D.C.

The Guild’s associate partners specializes in western Loudoun tourist activities. They include destination farm-to-table restaurants; locally crafted beverages; historic, scenic and cultural sites; tour partners; and many service providers such as wedding and event planners, caterers, florists, and transportation providers.For more information, visit www.loudounbandb.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @loudounbandb.

Guild DOnation to Loudoun Hunger Relief
Guild Donation to Loudoun Hunger Relief
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Events

History along the Highway: A Guided Tour from Gilbert’s Corner to Atoka

August 22, 2019by boverman0 comments

Tuesday, September 17, 2019 9:30am – 3:00pm (please RSVP by Tuesday, September 3, 2019 Middle Grove Inn middlegroveinn@comcast.net)

Join us for a day of exploring some of the Route 50 Historic areas!

 

Offered by members of the Loudoun Heritage Consortium
Free for Members and Partners of the Guild. Each attendee will need to pay for their own lunch. Transportation will be provided free of charge.

9:30     Meet at Mt. Zion Church Historic Park, 40309 John Mosby Highway, Aldie.

Built in 1851, Mt. Zion served as a church until 1980, except for the four years of the Civil War.  As an introduction to our tour, you’ll hear from Historic Site Manager Tracy Gillespie about its prominent location at the intersection of two historic highways, and why it’s known today as a “place of war and a place of peace.”

 

10:00   Depart for Aldie Mill on-board your bus

You’ll be accompanied by Loudoun historian, esteemed educator, and former director of the Mosby Heritage Area Association, Richard Gillespie.  Rich will provide commentary during your entire tour route.

 

 

10:15   Aldie Mill Historic Park, 39401 John Mosby Highway, Aldie.

 

Award-winning miller Mike Devine will welcome you to our grist mill, which operated from 1809-1971.  See how the mill grinds corn into meal, watch the water wheel turning, and hear the stories of its founding and its role in the Civil War from Tracy and Rich.

 

11:15   Depart for lunch at Briar Patch B&B, 23130 Briar Patch Lane, Aldie.

Our lunch venue perfectly fits with our theme today, as it sits on land that was a part of the June 17, 1863 Battle of Aldie.  Rich will share some of the history of the battle with us during lunch.

 

 

1:00     Depart for Atoka, 1461 Atoka Road, Atoka.

 

Upon our arrival at Atoka, you’ll be welcomed by Jennifer Moore, President of the Mosby Heritage Area Association.  Jennifer will introduce you to the Mosby Heritage Area, which has a diverse and rich history and includes a nineteenth-century landscape that is one of the best preserved in the nation.   We’ll be inside the ca. 1801 stone house that has seen over two centuries of history pass by its front door and happen in its parlor – including Civil War history associated with JEB Stuart and John Mosby.

 

2:15     Depart for the Battle of Middleburg/Mt. Defiance Historic Park, Middleburg.

The final stop on our tour will be Mt. Defiance, site of the June 19, 1863 cavalry battle of Middleburg.  Rich will share some human interest stories of the cavalrymen from both sides who fought at the site on that hot and humid day, and we’ll see the granite monument to men of the First Maine Cavalry.

 

2:45     Depart for our return to Mt. Zion.

 

3:00     Tour ends.

 

Each attendee will pay for their lunch.  Please RSVP to Vicki Moore from Middle Grove Inn middlegroveinn@comcast.net by Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

 

 

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Adventure

Rural Farm Tour 2019 Was A Success!

July 29, 2019by boverman0 comments

On June 5, 2019, the Loudoun Bed & Breakfast Guild had an event we dubbed the “Rural Farm Tour” that took our participants to interesting agricultural sites throughout the county for a day of education, fun, good food and wine.

 

 

 

 

CEA Farms

The first stop was CEA Farms, right off of route 9 near Purcellville Road.  If you are ever looking for a quick gift or some interesting cuisine, you should stop by! They had local lemon honey, maple syrups, and of course tons of interesting produce from their farm.

We heard from owner and founder Donald Virts about his business and how he is dedicated to sustainable farming- Four times as much food with 30 percent less water from the same amount of land.

Blooming Lavender Farm

Our next stop was Blooming Lavender Farm on Telegraph Springs in Purcellville.  This place was so charming!  Nestled in the back on a hill is a lavender paradise.

Blooming Hill is a tiny “farmlet” owned by Cyndie and Peter Rinek and situated on four acres in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge in Western Loudoun County, Northern Virginia.  Cyndie chatted with us about her lavender, and even served us some lavender ice cream!

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News

Hidden View Bed & Breakfast Voted “Best of Virginia 2019” by Virginia Living Magazine Readers

May 13, 2019by Cheri Shields0 comments

Hillsboro, Va., May 13, 2019 – Hidden View Bed & Breakfast — a luxury B&B, boutique resort, event venue, and vacation rental in Northern Virginia; and a member of Visit Loudoun and the Loudoun County B&B Guild — is honored to announce that it was voted Best of Virginia 2019 in Virginia Living Magazines’ eight annual Best of Virginia Readers’ Survey as the Best Bed & Breakfast in the Northern Region.

Virginia Living’s Best of Virginia issue is a statewide guide to all that is “best” in Virginia, from dining and shopping, to staying and playing; across the five regions of Virginia — Central, Eastern, Northern, Southwestern, and the Shenandoah Valley. The Best of Virginia 2019 issue, arriving on newsstands throughout the state by May 16, lists the more than 1,500 winners from the magazine’s Readers’ Survey conducted in January. More than 45,000 people voted in 106 categories, covering the best in Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Living & Recreation, Food & Drink, Shopping, Services, and Accommodations across the state.

“It is an honor to be chosen for this state-level accolade and to be recognized for our commitment to hospitality excellence. At Hidden View, we strive to provide exceptional service, outstanding accommodations, and breath-taking settings to make your visit… extraordinary” said B&B Proprietor and Host, Ray Shields. “For many guests, their stay at Hidden View is celebrating a special event or taking a well-deserved getaway. Whether you’re coming as an overnight guest or as a day guest visiting for a special event or occasion; we want your experience to be elegant, delightful and memorable,” added Co-Proprietor and Host, Cheri Shields.

Located just outside of the quaint rural Town of Hillsboro, c.1752, 8-miles from both Charles Town and Harper’s Ferry, W. Va, and about 45-miles from Washington, DC; Hidden View is close to many wineries, craft breweries, farm-to-table dining, history and heritage, and outdoor recreation activities for lovers of artisanal, epicurean, and culturally rich experiences. For overnight reservations, book online at www.hiddenviewbnb.com.

In addition to Virginia Living Reader’s voting Hidden View Bed & Breakfast as Best of Virginia 2019, the Bed & Breakfast was also recently nominated as a finalist in the Loudoun Times-Mirror’s 2019 Best of Loudoun voter’s survey in three categories: Bed & Breakfast/Country Inn, Hotel/Resort, and Event Venue; and PoshSEVEN’s Best of Suburbia 2019 voter survey in the category: Best Resort/Hotel Staycation. “Receiving acknowledgement like these, is no small achievement. Thank you to all of our guests and Hidden View friends and followers who vote for us and enable us to be recognized in these great publications,” said Cheri Shields. 

About Virginia Living
Virginia Living celebrates all things Virginia—from its people and places, to its deep history and traditions. The highest quality, most widely read lifestyle magazine in the state with readership of over 500,000. Virginia Living’s combination of smart, engaging stories and stunning photography and art makes it a must-read for anyone interested in the Old Dominion.

About Hidden View Bed & Breakfast
Experience modern amenities on a private 10-acre estate in the ‘must visit’ destination of Loudoun County, Virginia — the heart of DC’s Wine Country. The custom-built ranch manor sits on historic Short Hill Mountain with spectacular breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Loudoun Valley, and the neighboring vineyard. Hidden View, an award-winning B&B, offers five spacious guest room suites each with private ensuite bathroom and fireplace; beautifully landscaped resort-like grounds with gardens, pavilion, pool, fire pits, pond and fountains; and many social spaces and private places for guests to relax and enjoy. Whether you’re staying for a night, a well-deserved weekend, or longer… Hidden View is a perfect place for all kinds of celebrations from birthdays and anniversaries to intimate weddings, and from family and friend stay-cations and vacations to business meetings and corporate retreats. For more information and to book online, visit www.hiddenviewbnb.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @hiddenviewbnb.

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Events

Rural Loudoun Tour June 5, 2019

April 20, 2019by boverman0 comments

This educational, fun-filled day in the country includes:

  • A tour of CEA Farms (Controlled Environment Agriculture). View their hydroponic greenhouse and learn the innovative technologies they use. Purchase farm fresh organic products at the farm market.
  • A tour of Blooming Hill Lavender Farm where you will learn about the art of growing various types of lavender along with an opportunity to shop at the gift shop, purchase plants, or try homemade lavender ice cream.
  • A wagon tour of the fields and orchards of Great Country Farms, including a stop to pick a ½ pint of fruit. Learn about composting, growing practices, and bees.
  • A tour of Bluemont Vineyard to learn about the grape growing process, harvesting, and winemaking.
  • Chef’s Table and Wine Pairing at Bluemont Vineyard. This four-course foodie experience at the farm table combines the freshest produce from Great County Farms, with favorite wines, expertly paired with each course.
$90 per person (a $200 value!), includes transportation, tours, and the Chef’s Table and Wine Pairing.  Limited to 12 participants, first come, first served basis.

Registration:

To register, please name the B&B where you are staying and then click register to be taken to Paypal to reserve your spot.  Please register by May 31st!

(Only available for guests staying at the B&Bs of the Loudoun B&B Guild)

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Community

Top 6 Reasons to Visit Loudoun’s Wine Country

April 14, 2019by boverman0 comments

One of the best things about visiting Northern Virginia is it feels like you could spend days visiting all the wineries, and still find more that you haven’t visited yet. Loudoun County alone boasts 44 of the 280 wineries in Virginia (16%) as of 2017, more than any other county in the Commonwealth.  The wineries are embraced by visitors and locals alike, with more wineries planned in the coming years.  If that isn’t reason enough to visit Loudoun County’s vineyards, here are more reasons to make your way here:

1. Enjoy the Country Vistas and Open Spaces

Loudoun County is nestled at the top of Virginia, surrounded by the Potomac River to the northwest and is surrounded by showcasing the Loudoun Valley which lies between the Catoctin and Bull Run Mountains to the east and also the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. The area is often hilly with some great vineyards like Bluemont making full use of these views. 

In addition, Western Loudoun also has a rich farming heritage leaving much of the land undeveloped and giving visitors a chance to see gorgeous country scenes, and plenty of land to explore.  Despite being rural and quiet, Loudoun County is very accessible thanks to the Dulles International Airport, and routes in and out of the county like the Dulles Greenway and historic Route 15.

2.  Visit Our Historic Sites

Loudoun County’s wineries are surrounded by history, thanks to the county’s strategic location during the Civil War.  For an outdoor adventure you can visit Ball’s Bluff Battlefield and National Cemetery. After that, you can visit one of our man historic homes including Oatlands Historic House and Gardens and Dodona Manor which was home to George C. Marshall of the Marshall plan.

3.  Not Just Wineries

Though you might be visiting some of the best wineries in Loudoun County such as Fabbioli Cellars, Bluemont Vineyard, or Crushed Cellars you might also be interested in the many craft breweries we have.  Make sure to take a look at Lost Rhino Brewery, Dragon Hops, and Crooked Run Brewing for some great atmosphere.

wineries in loudoun county love to do wine tastings using fluted glass

Alcohol not your style?  Maybe some tea will suit your fancy.

4.  Dine at our local farm to table restaurants

There is a lot of passion for farming in Loudoun and not just about the wine.  Many restaurants are interested in sourcing local and sustainable ingredients for your dinner table.  For instance, some of our favorite farm to table restaurants are The Restaurant at Potowmack Farm, Market Table Bistro, and Grandale Restaurant.

5.  Stay at our Bed and Breakfasts hosted by locals that will guide your stay

Most importantly, we had to mention the hosts of our Bed & Breakfasts in Loudoun County that will be happy to help you plan your D.C. wine country journey by giving you the best, local advice while enjoying your stay.  The experience can be anything from a beautiful historic home to your own private cottage in the beautiful rural landscape.  There are bed & breakfasts with pools, with wedding & event sites, and of course cozy rooms with breakfast!

Check out our Bed & Breakfast members here to learn more about staying in Loudoun County in style!


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Events

Open House Tour 2019

March 22, 2019by boverman0 comments

Spend a Sunday afternoon with us in the country…

April 28—1 to 5 p.m.
Western Loudoun County, Virginia

The Loudoun Bed & Breakfast Guild invites you to tour a sampling of our Inns, meet our innkeepers, enjoy our partner’s wine and beer, taste a sample of our local caterers’ delights and browse the wares of local artisans while serenaded by local musicians.

BnB_RackCard_0319_REVISEDDownload

Learn more about the free Bed and Breakfast Open House Tour and the Loudoun B&B Guild by visiting:

WWW.LOUDOUNBANDB.COM
www.facebook.com/LoudounBnBs


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