What's New in 2022 in Charlottesville & Albemarle County

Keswick Hall, located minutes from Downtown Charlottesville in the pastoral countryside of Albemarle County, officially reopened in October 2021 after a multi-year, transformative remodeling and expansion process. The results of these renovations include additional guest rooms and suites, reimagined resort grounds, and a new spa and wellness center, which will open at a later date. The resort has partnered with world-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who will serve up his finest culinary offerings at Marigold by Jean-Georges, the new on-site restaurant. Marigold sources ingredients from local, family owned food suppliers in addition to implementing sustainable practices in its operations.

Central Virginia's wine country continues to grow! We now have more than 40 wineries on the Monticello Wine Trail. Here are some of the newest additions:

Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard opened in the summer of 2021 and features a 5,000 square-foot tasting room with eclectic antique furnishings, personal artwork and antique taxidermy.

Hazy Mountain Vineyard & Brewery also opened in the summer of 2021, nestled against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can enjoy wine and craft beer in a tasting room with gorgeous views!

Chiswell Farm & Winery opened in the fall of 2021 and is located in a historic Jeffersonian estate in the Albemarle County countryside. This newest area winery is owned and operated by Chiles Family Orchards.

Multiverse Kitchens opened its doors in the summer of 2021 as a digital food hall, located near Downtown Charlottesville. Featuring seven different restaurant concepts under one roof, ingredients are locally sourced and recipes are designed to travel well, ideal for curbside pick-up and delivery orders. Multiverse Kitchens was founded by University of Virginia graduate and local chef/restaurateur Harrison Keevil.

Siren opened in the winter of 2021, one block from Charlottesville’s historic pedestrian Downtown Mall. Featuring Mediterranean-inspired fare with a seafood focus, Siren is operated by chef Laura Fonner, who was a winner of The Food Network’s show Guy’s Grocery Games.

Ralph Sampson’s American Tap Room is slated to open at Barracks Road Shopping Center soon! Ralph Sampson is a former University of Virginia basketball player who achieved legendary status during his time on the team in the 1980s. Sampson’s new restaurant will serve local beers and food in an upscale sports bar environment.

Virginia’s first immersive art exhibit, The Looking Glass, has expanded. Located at the IX Art Park in Downtown Charlottesville, The Looking Glass doubled in size in late summer 2021 to include more than 6,000 square feet of immersive art experiences. The Looking Glass is a collaboration between more than a dozen local artists and combines sights, sounds and interactive technology to create a one-of-a-kind experience.