Chateau O’Brien at Northpoint

Wow! What an impressive winery! The owner, Howard O’brien, grows, produces and bottles ALL of his own grapes/​wines. If you know anything about wine, you know that is an extraordinary feat! It limits the ability to mass produce, but extremely enhances the quality and character in the wine.
The apple wine is definitely easy to drink. The Padlock Red is absolutely delicious! The meat and cheese plate was exceptional in its variety and presentation. This is a small winery, but the prices were VERY reasonable and affordable for wines solely produced in this area.
Howard is knowledgeable, accessible, and very easy to talk to. His Apple wine is award winning and my husband and I were very impressed with his hospitality. No one under age 21 is allowed, so the clientele is selective to a mature audience. The view is beautiful and among the best in the area!

Very strong reds (all but one of which really require red meat to enjoy), somewhat weak whites, though the apple wine was pretty nice. I think it would be acceptable for them to charge up to $ 40 for red given how long they age (2 years in french oak) and that everything is grown onsite, but $ 55 – 65? Common, this isn’t Napa, and this place is a bit chi-​chi for northern Virginia wineries that otherwise tend to be very down to earth.

Not my favorite place to visit. Overlooks 66 and all of the tractor-​trailers down below. Wine tasting to the left, wine tasting to the right. Strange. Didn’t really like any of their wines. Didn’t purchase any bottles so that should tell you something — especially because we like to buy by the case. Plenty of room outside for kids to run around — although there weren’t any around. Nothing impressed me. Move along…

I have been to 100s of wineries, this one I caught on a bad day (for them). They were pouring their 2011 vintage wines, 2011 was a very bad year for VA wines. Many wineries did not bottle a 2011 vintage in their traditional forms. Ch O’Brien did, the wines at best were very average in quality for a $ 10 bottle of wine. The bad news was they were selling the wines for $ 25-​$ 65 a bottle. It was embarrassing how they tried to rationalize selling the wines at those prices. They should of done what most wineries did bottled wines as simply red or rose and sell it at a price to justify the quality level $ 10-​$ 20 a bottle, Some years in farming are very bad, 2011 was very bad. You cannot cheat people by selling a below average wine at inflated prices.

Pets are not even allowed on the property. Woman was very rude when we walked into the tasting room. If you don’t want dogs, put a sign up somewhere!

Come for the views, stay for the wine and food. After passing on Château O’Brien in the past, we finally had a weekend without our child, so we made a bee-​line to the tasting room. After reading all the mixed reviews we were not sure what to expect. However, while we missed Howard (in cellar doing private tasting in tasting?) the staff was friendly and helpful. And the wines were good. There was high quality reds and there was a tasty fruit wine (apple). Our server made it sounds like Howard had mixed feelings about the apple wine — but hey — its cheaper, takes less time to process, and can be done after grape harvest, so hope they keep making it as it makes a great holiday gift.
After our tasting, we ordered food — flatbread, croissants, and delicious chocolate to go with a few more glasses of wine — they even had sangria available. We went early enough on Saturday and it was not too crowded, so were were able to get prime seats to see the great views below. If you can escape the dogs and little ones for a few hours, its definitely a place to stop by.

I’ve gone here on 3 occasions and was never greeted upon entering, for the record. I know that reviews of this place are mixed — the experience for most is really terrible or really great — and I think that is a bad thing. A consistent customer experience is good, isn’t it Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien? How can so many folks have such different experiences, if all customers are treated fairly?
My first experience was great! I went on a slow weekend in the fall with my boyfriend, it was about an hour before closing. Mrs. O’Brien gave us a fantastic tasting of white wines and told great stories, we even bought a bottle of the apple wine. The best part was that as the red bar was closing down, the half-​empty bottles were being brought to the white bar side to be put away, and she let us try some reds for free. When I casually commented to Mr. O’Brien that I loved the Tannat, he replied that I shouldn’t have been able to taste that one because I was at the white bar. Way to ruin a compliment — which leads me to my next experience.
I went there again with two girlfriends. We’d been going to vineyards in the area all day and I remembered how nice Mrs. O’Brien was and wanted my friends to have that experience too. I even wanted to pay all that money to legally taste the precious reds! When we got there only the red bar was open for some reason, and Mr. O’Brien was the only person pouring. It was snowing light that day and the place was practically empty, the only other people there were having a tasting with Mr. O’Brien. He let us know that he was in the middle of a tasting and asked if we’d wait until he was done before ours could start. This struck me as odd since at most wineries the person pouring will just start you at the top of the list and keep track of your tasting along with everyone else, though you may be be a few glasses behind others. But we waited. And waited. And waited. After 20 minutes of waiting we just left. He didn’t seem to notice, nor did he address us as we left, and it made me wonder if he was relieved to see us go. FYI — I worked in agriculture at the time and wore pretty beat up clothes and shoes, my two friends both worked in lingerie boutiques and had on somewhat slutty attire. We were all black. Maybe we looked like we wouldn’t spend much, which is why he didn’t seem to care if we stayed or not.
My last visit was quick and terrible. I went with my boyfriend at the time and we were nothing but ignored. The place was pretty busy but there was no one at the white tasting bar, and Mr. O’Brien had his hands full with the huge crowd of 5 people at his tasting bar. After my last visit we’d already decided that we’d never get a tasting from Mr. O’Brien, so we were pretty baffled and let down to see that the white bar was empty with no one behind it. We did see Mrs. O’Brien, but she was walking around as if she were looking for someone or something and avoided making eye contact with us — aka she ignored us. We stood around the white bar for maybe 5 minutes — this is after I’d told him about my last visit as we drove up there — and then left.
Basically — I tried ya’ll. I tried really, really hard to like this vineyard, going there once in good faith and getting ignored (2^nd visit), then again just hoping that I’d caught the Mister on a bad day. I think this is a place that feels like it isn’t made for certain people, that there’s some people’s money and good reviews that they don’t need or care about. This is a place that values expense over quality. My advice: after your first bad experience there, DON’T GO BACK. Leave them a bad review on every site you can, and tell all your friends not to go there. I think it’s the only way the owners will listen or take criticism seriously, since the only thing they seem to care about is their image.

Wow were we surprised. I’m sorry, but the words «Château» and «Obrien» just don’t naturally go together. Kinda like «Castle» and «Lipshitz». …but the place overcame our trepidation in a big way. We even risked the more expensive $ 15 tasting, and were treated to great views, pleasant service, and some really nice wine. Yay VA wineries!

I love Château O’Brien. I love it so much so that I spent my 30^th birthday here, I will order their Vintner’s Reserve at the Capital Grille every time we go there, and will tell anyone who wants a different VA winery experience (and wants to listen to me-​of course) to go here.
The tasting room sits over the train tracks, up off the hill with a breath taking view of the Virginia country side. Walking into the front door you will be greeted quickly and asked which types of wines you prefer, then led to the appropriate tasting area.
I’m more of a red drinker for the most part, but I like their whites as well.
This is actually one of the few VA wineries I can say I like all of their wines.
I have had both tastings several times, and they even put together a special group tasting for my birthday when my husband called ahead of time. It was quite lovely!
Also note worthy, even though I wouldn’t necessarily drink it by the glass, I love to cook with their apple wine! Actually it was Mrs. O’Brien who told me about putting a little apple wine in the crockpot with pork and I have made this several times now. Yummy!
Another thing that makes for a fantastic experience is the venue itself-​it is just beautiful! It is also very peaceful. Fair warning: this is not the type of place you go to get rowdy. This is a place to relax and enjoy the view, the company and the wine. Their patio is the perfect place to enjoy a bottle of whatever suits your fancy and some quiet time with friends, family (21 and up) or your significant other.
As others have mentioned, there are several wines (my favorite is among them) that are more expensive than other Virginia wineries. But you know what? I’m willing to pay for such great wine!
Lastly, I have enjoyed listening to Mr. O’Brien talk about his business and his craft.
We were lucky enough to have him do the group tasting on my birthday and I think it’s obvious he is very passionate about what he does. I always enjoy getting to meet the person behind the products I love. So I think it’s cool that he still does tastings when he is there and will give such a detailed account of what goes into his wine.
Château O’Brien was, is, and will probably always be my favorite VA winery.

The negative reviews of this place is dissapointing. As most are pretty selfish complaints that have nothing to do with the wine or facilities. Unilocal is a place to leave a review folks not cry because you did not get your way.
For starters this place is 21 and up. Awesome! I have kids but enjoy getting away for adult activities. Also for those on here complaining about not being able to have their kids here. Why?! Are you attempting to drink and drive with your children. Bad call.
Howard is a good owner/​operator. He has gone out of his way for so many of his clientele for special occasions. His wines are very good for virginia. One of the best cab francs you will find. I always judge a VA winery by the quality of their cab franc. The buddys red is great, the tannat is a show stopper. I am not huge into whites but the pinot grigio is a good choice by my standards.
My wife and i have enjoyed many years here. Many anniversary toasts. She has enjoyed many bottles of the apple wine. Very sweet. There are many people that enjoy that.
The place is very well run and is focused on wine and facilities not dogs and children. There are places for that also.
Howard cheers to you sir. I will continue to promote your well run establishment.

Sorry Howard… first, your wines just aren’t that good. Next, splitting up the white and reds and charging that much seems, well… greedy. I felt taken. The staff was mixed. The young lady in the white tasting room with long hair and glasses was personable and engaging. The gentleman in the red tasting room was a robot.
There are too many other great wineries and tasting rooms in this area…

I visit Château O’Brien once or twice a year. It is one of the better wineries in VA — hands-​down. For this visit in April 2015, I made reservations in advance with Howard for a Cellar Tasting for a party of four. Everybody in my party said «wow» what a great time. Howard explained the vineyard and his wine and his passion for truly stellar wine. The food paring was top-​notch! We were never rushed. The benefits of a Cellar Tasting is the ability to purchase limited and advance releases and to, of course, meet Howard.
This type of tasting is by reservation only and must be made in advance. You will not be disappointed. Picked up 2011 Petit Verdot, 2011 Vinter’s Reserve, and 2011 Tannat Limited Reserve. If you are big bold red drinker like I am, Tannat Limited Reserve is wine to drink.

They’re really proud of their wines and they charge what «they» feel is an appropriate price for them. Unfortunately, we don’t concur. The wines we tasted were mediocre at best. Even their $ 100+ bottle of red was just «ok» and nothing special.
They also charge a LOT for a basic tasting, but they did offer a decent pour, enough that my wife and I split a tasting and got a couple good sips. But $ 15 to taste red only and $ 8 more to taste white only is too much when the wines are mediocre and you don’t keep the glass.
The good — The tasting room is gorgeous! Very well built and decorated with nice copper accents throughout.
Would we go back? Nope! TripAdvisor has plenty of comments that are similar to issues we also found, which we agree with (too pricey, mediocre wines, too many «rules»).
There are much pricier vineryards, nearby in fact, with much higher ratings. There are also a couple wineries nearby which are much more exclusive. Those are all rated much better than this one. So, price and exclusivity aren’t the reasons for the poor review.

Good reds here, especially their tannat. Howard (owner) knows his stuff!
Go early, as the place gets busy. It’s fun to grab a bottle and hangout on the patio. Excellent bonus that the establishment is 21+ over only and enforced.

A friend and I stumbled upon this winery when we were leaving Hartland Orchard. We stopped by for an $ 8 tasting and was blown away by the 2011 Virginia Apple Wine. It’s made from 5 different types of apples from Stribling Orchard next door! Tastes just like apple cider… except better!!!
The establishment, itself, is quite exquisite. As you walk towards the building from the parking lot, you’ll find yourself bathe in a nice shade formed from a network of grape vines grown over the arbor. Kudos to the owner for that nice touch! The interior of the building is equally marvelous. The building used to be an old farmhouse and, though it has been renovated, the owner still retained some of the rusticness and character from the old farmhouse. If you are interested in buying a bottle to drink at the location, they have a patio that outlooks their vineyards as well as endless hills of mountains and trees. Very serene atmosphere!
My only complaint about our experience is that our wine tasting was done at a bar. There were no stools for us to sit on and we were not offered to have a seat. We literally just walked in, found out about their wine tasting at the counter and did it right there. I wish it could have been a more relaxing experience. Also, bottled water costs $ 1.25 because apparently they don’t offer drinking water at their location. Yeah, I thought that was weird too.

I used to really enjoy coming to this vineyard but came with friends who had thei sleeping 3 month old in a stroller. After bellying up to the bar with the stroller, walking around and almost paying for a tasting for 4 people we were rudely told no babies. No signs, no one mentioning when we walked in. Under 21 years old not allowed. Really? like we are going to give a 3 month old wine. Screw that! I will never go back and make it a mission moving forward to ensure none of my friends (who frequent vineyards) ever go back.
Awful, awful customer service.

Beautiful landscape. Beautiful views. Great for coming with friends and chilling and snacking and drinking.
We liked a few from white and a few from red tasting. Tasty delicious wines. My fav was the north point but at $ 109, I can’t afford that.
Worth a trip here with friends.

A little bit of California in Virginia. My husband and I were celebrating our one year wedding anniversary and on our way home from a B&B in Winchester decided to spontaneously check out the closest winery, which just so happened to be Château O’Brien. It was the first one my Navi pulled up.
The winery is high up on hill in Markham, VA right off rout 66. I wondered how good the wines were going to be when I saw that an English Bull Dog was the picture on the sign. Come to find out Buddy was the O’Brien family dog that hung out in the back of the main bar of the winery. Unfortunately Buddy passed away last year. The only reason they are getting four stars instead of five is because they are not a dog friendly winery.
Beautiful copper door great you before having to make a choice in the entry of which tasting bar, right or left you would like to choose. Usually one is the classic and one reserve.
We chose the reserve wine tasting. I am going to focus on one grape… TANNAT! OMG this is the first time I had ever tasted something so wonderful. When the server poured the late harvest tannat, she waited for the glass to hit our lips, my husband and I looked and each other and the biggest grin popped on our faces. She instantly said «and there’s the smile» as everyone who has tried it, loves it
So here is the summary of Château O’Brien. Bring a picnic, a board game or two, your best friends, buy a bottle or two of the TANNAT or LATE HARVEST TANNAT and enjoy your day in their beautiful covered porch overlooking the valley. The only thing that would make it more perfect is allowing me to bring my little pooch!
P. S. For $ 25 per person you can do a private cellar tasting with Howard the owner and about eight of your closest friends!

This has to be one of the prettiest tasting rooms we’ve been to! It’s very rustic without being cheesy or kitschy.
They separate their red and white tastings. While the whites were alright, it’s the reds that really were mind-​blowing! They don’t make many bottles, so the price point is a bit higher than most other Virginia wines. But trust that if you pay for a good bottle of any of their reds, it’s worth it.
I’d like to come here during the summer and enjoy their patio space. There are gorgeous views and I think bringing a picnic lunch and having a bottle of wine would be perfect!

Adding a star mainly to defend Howard O’Brien, his winery and his policies. Seems like many people trash Howard here — yes, he has a giant ego, and most likely those who trash him here have giant egos too. You can’t fit too many huge egos in one room… This is a winery. Not a day care center. The «me-​first» narcissists who live in Northern VA don’t get it. Not all of us want to be around your offspring all the time. And, (clearing throat)…it’s a WINERY. You want to be surrounded by wine and kids? Barrel Oak Winery is not too far away.
The wine here is outstanding, one of the best in the state. Howard is a perfectionist, and it shows in every wine. He must’ve chosen this spot, with I-​66 in view from the hilltop, due to the ragged incline, so he can plant the vines on slopes for the best drainage. The decision paid off. We had the lighter wine tasting (emphasis on the whites) this time. A bit disappointed that they didn’t have the apple wine, but all wines, including the bone dry Petit Manseng, were winners. Prices? Actually LOWER than other area wineries in some cases (Three Fox and Aspen Dale, in particular). The chard here, the wine we settled on, was a few dollars less than Three Fox. Because so many northern Virginia wineries are ramping their prices up, «because they can» (i.e. DC area is Recession-​proof), Howard’s wines don’t seem as expensive now.
He only employs wine experts as pourers. We were very happy with our pourer, who was knowledgeable, engaging and didn’t rush our tasting. Also as the case with Howard, many pours were extremely generous.
You don’t like it here? At least ten other wineries are within a 15 mile radius of this place. Hasta la vista, babies.