The 7 Secrets Of The Virginia Fly Fishing And Wine Festival 2026: What’s New For The 25th Anniversary
Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival 2026: Event Profile and Key Details
The 25th Annual Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival serves as the Mid-Atlantic’s premier destination for all things related to the sport, while simultaneously showcasing the best of the Commonwealth’s burgeoning wine and craft spirits industry.
- Event: 25th Annual Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival
- Dates: Friday, January 9, 2026, and Saturday, January 10, 2026
- Location: Meadow Event Park (State Fairgrounds), 13191 Dawn Blvd, Doswell, VA 23047
- Festival Hours (NEW for 2026): Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Core Focus: Hands-on instruction (casting, fly tying), exhibitor hall, Virginia wine and craft beverage tasting, and specialized workshops.
The 7 Must-See Attractions and New Features for 2026
The 25th anniversary brings significant upgrades and exciting new additions, ensuring even repeat attendees will find fresh content and experiences. The festival’s success lies in its ability to offer a beginner-friendly environment while still catering to the most experienced fly anglers.
1. The Expanded "Beyond the Cast" Women's Fly Fishing Symposium
A major highlight for 2026 is the expansion of the Beyond the Cast Women’s Fly Fishing Symposium. This "show-within-a-show" is specifically designed to foster community, confidence, and skill-building among female anglers. The entire symposium is now expanded and will be held in the historic and elegant Meadow Hall Mansion, offering a dedicated space for tailored workshops and presentations led by industry-leading female instructors. It's an empowering environment that focuses on breaking down barriers and providing specialized instruction for women interested in the sport.
2. New: Fly Fishing and Bourbon Tasting Classes
In a unique twist for the 25th anniversary, the 2026 schedule introduces classes that combine fly fishing topics with wine and bourbon tasting. These innovative sessions offer a sensory exploration, pairing the knowledge of fly tying or casting techniques with the nuanced flavors of Virginia’s burgeoning craft spirits and established distilleries. This blend of education and indulgence is a perfect example of the festival's unique appeal.
3. Meet the Masters: The Renowned Instructor Roster
The festival consistently fields a slate of the best regional and national instructors, offering over 50 classes taught by more than two dozen experts. Attending the festival provides an unparalleled opportunity to learn directly from legends in the sport. The impressive roster of renowned speakers, authors, and instructors for the 2026 event includes:
- Tom Rosenbauer: A celebrated fly fishing author and expert from Orvis.
- Bruce Chard: A highly respected saltwater fly fishing guide and instructor.
- Josh Miller: Known for his expertise and engaging instructional style.
- Beau Beasley: The festival director and a well-known fly fishing author and advocate.
4. A Taste of the Old Dominion: Distinguished Wineries and Spirits
The "Wine Festival" half of the event is a major draw, featuring tastings from approximately ten distinguished Virginia wineries and several craft distilleries. These vendors offer complimentary wine tastings for attendees aged 21 and older, showcasing the diverse terroir of the Old Dominion. Attendees can sample and purchase a variety of local wines, ciders, and spirits, making it a perfect destination for food and beverage enthusiasts.
5. Featured Wineries and Spirits (Topical Authority Entities)
The festival is a showcase for Virginia's finest craft beverage producers. While the full 2026 list will be finalized closer to the date, past and highly-anticipated vendors include:
- A. Smith Bowman Distillery (for the bourbon and spirits focus)
- Barrel Oak Winery
- Brix and Columns Vineyards
- Horton Vineyards
- Hill Top Distillery
- Cider Lab (representing the growing cider market)
- Four Front Cellars
- J H Bards Spirit Company
6. Hands-On Learning: Casting and Fly Tying Clinics
All classes and demonstrations, including casting instruction, are held indoors, making it a comfortable winter event. The festival is an ideal place to master the fundamentals, with dedicated areas for casting instruction and continuous fly tying demonstrations. Whether you are learning the basic roll cast or perfecting a double haul, the hands-on workshops cater to all skill levels. This focus on practical, accessible instruction is what makes it so popular with beginner fly anglers.
7. The Mid-Atlantic’s Largest Fly Fishing Marketplace
Beyond the classes and tastings, the event is a massive marketplace. The exhibitor hall is packed with vendors, including outfitters, fishing guides, conservation groups like Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, and gear manufacturers. This is the best place to find the latest rods, reels, lines, and fly fishing gear, and to book trips with guides specializing in catching trout, smallmouth bass, and other freshwater species across the Mid-Atlantic region.
Why the Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival is a Unique Winter Escape
Held in January, the Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival offers a welcome escape from the winter doldrums, providing a perfect indoor environment to pursue two passions. The combination of a world-class educational event and a regional wine festival is truly unique, attracting thousands of attendees from across the United States. It’s a celebration of the outdoor lifestyle, conservation ethics, and the fine artisanal products of Virginia.
Whether you are looking to learn how to tie your first fly, sample award-winning Virginia wines, or simply connect with the fly fishing community, the 25th Annual Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival in 2026 is an essential item for your calendar. The event's blend of education, culture, and commerce ensures there is something for every member of the family, making it the premier winter destination for anglers and epicures alike.
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