Virginia gift guide: Local goods to give this holiday season

Eschew big-name retailers this holiday season and gift your loved ones something made right here in Virginia. 

As the holiday season approaches, there’s no better way to celebrate Virginia’s rich craftsmanship and heritage than by giving locally-made gifts that reflect the commonwealth’s unique flavors, designs, and traditions. From artisanal chocolates and handcrafted leather goods to wines, spirits, and one-of-a-kind jewelry, Virginia boasts a wide array of products that make perfect presents for everyone on your list. 

Food

Gearharts Fine Chocolates

243-B Ridge McIntire Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22902

Founded in 2001 by globetrotting chef Tim Gearhart, Gearharts Fine Chocolates creates artisanal chocolates inspired by Tim’s culinary travels across the world. Starting in a small office kitchenette, Tim hand-dipped 700 pieces a day; today, the company crafts over 13,000 chocolates daily.

Known for using the finest ingredients, including local sweet cream and pure butter, Gearharts offers a variety of handcrafted flavors, from Criolla with cacao nibs to Michigan Cherry with dried cherries. Their Signature Line includes an assortment of unique, world-class chocolates, making it a favorite gift choice for chocolate connoisseurs.

Whitley’s Peanut Factory

1977 George Washington Hwy., Gloucester, VA 23072

Whitley’s Peanut Factory has been a beloved name in Virginia since 1986 when Marion Smith and his son Craig opened their doors with just a small batch roaster and three employees. Their dedication to high-quality, “Home-Cooked” Virginia peanuts quickly led to the opening of additional locations in Williamsburg, Richmond, and a new production facility in Hayes. Today, under the leadership of Todd Smith, Whitley’s continues to craft peanuts to golden perfection using traditional hand-cooking methods.

Their Milk Chocolatey Peanut Clusters, a favorite among chocolate lovers, feature hand-dipped Virginia peanuts coated in rich milk chocolate. These gluten-free, cholesterol-free, and vegetarian treats come in large clusters and offer a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Whitley’s stands out for its commitment to small-batch production and exceptional customer care, ensuring that each peanut delivers fresh, crunchy goodness.

Back Creek Farms

7781 Upper Back Creek Rd., Monterey, VA 24465

Back Creek Farms preserves the time-honored craft of maple syrup making along the scenic Back Creek, where Pat, a fourth-generation syrup maker, continues his family’s legacy. He started helping his father tap trees at eight years old, and today, he upholds the rich, smoky flavor that his great-grandmother perfected using wood-fired pans.

While the farm incorporates some modern equipment, it also maintains tradition with buckets and the original open pan. The syrup is gathered from trees on historic farms along the creek, which have produced maple syrup since the early 1800s. In 2017, Back Creek Farms expanded its offerings with barrel-aged and infused syrups, crafted in collaboration with Virginia distilleries and seasoned with native and organic spices.

Their Pure Maple Syrup Glass Flask, available in 8 oz or 12 oz, is a popular choice with an easy-to-pour design. 

Drinks

The Winery at Bull Run

15950 Lee Hwy., Centreville, VA 20120

The Winery at Bull Run, nestled within an authentic 1860s setting less than 30 minutes from Washington, D.C., offers an immersive vineyard experience with rich historical charm. Located near Manassas National Battlefield Park, this scenic, working farm vineyard provides a stunning view of preserved 19th-century farmland.

Guests can enjoy tastings of fine Virginia wines—crafted with care since the winery’s 2012 opening—and experience a relaxing atmosphere ideal for weddings, parties, and corporate events.

Their newest offering, a Sparkling Red Wine, combines Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Tannat for a sweet, rich flavor profile with hints of brown sugar, nutmeg, and dark fruits. Perfect as an aperitif or paired with hearty foods, this versatile sparkling red is an elegant addition to any occasion.

Photo courtesy of The Winery at Bull Run.

Reservoir Distillery

1800 A Summit Ave., Richmond, VA 23230

Reservoir Distillery, located in Richmond’s Scott’s Addition, is a celebrated Double Gold award-winning distillery that crafts world-class whiskey with a true taste of Virginia. Every part of the distilling process—from the mash bill to the barrel selection—emphasizes Virginia’s unique terroir.

Their Wheat Whiskey (100% wheat mashbill) delivers a buttery, smooth spirit with notes of honey, caramel, and a lingering herbaceous finish, perfect for whiskey newcomers. For those seeking bold flavors, the 100% Rye Whiskey offers a spiced profile with hints of dark chocolate and a dry, cola-like finish.

Reservoir’s dedication to showcasing local ingredients and expert craftsmanship makes their offerings a meaningful gift for whiskey aficionados.

Three Notch’d Brewing Co.

520 2nd St. SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Three Notch’d Brewing Co. brings “Virginia’s Freshest Beer” with a selection of craft brews that showcase their dedication to quality and local flavor since 2013.

With several locations across Virginia, Three Notch’d offers a range of brews, including the Biggie S’mores Imperial Stout (8.0% ABV, 40 IBU), a rich, chocolatey milk stout brewed with graham crackers, and Virginia Light Pilsner (4.2% ABV, 14 IBU), a crisp and refreshing choice perfect for lighter tastes. Ideal for beer enthusiasts, a gift from Three Notch’d is a flavorful way to share the best of Virginia craft brewing.

Clothing & jewelry 

Shockoe Atelier 

1623 West Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220

Founded in 2012, Shockoe Atelier crafts high-quality, handmade jeans using the finest denim, with a focus on ethically manufactured apparel. Located in the historic Shockoe Bottom neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia, the brand combines traditional European tailoring with American workwear, reflecting the spirit of the multicultural American dream.

Their Standard Black Selvedge jeans, made from 12oz. raw selvedge denim from Kaihara Mills in Japan, feature tonal stitching, branded black rivets, and a leather-backed patch. Shockoe offers a lifetime repairs guarantee for rips, tears, and blowouts, ensuring the longevity of their garments.

Werther Leather Goods

208 E Main St., Norfolk, VA 23510

Werther Leather Goods, founded by Derek Shaw in 2011, offers handcrafted leather goods with a focus on minimalist wallets and a growing collection of high-quality products, including “belts made while you wait” and tool-bag-inspired canvas and leather bags. Each item is made from scratch in the Selden Market, using hand tools and old machinery to ensure durability and character. The legacy of Werther Arcelli, a New England boxing champion and Shaw’s great-grandfather, lives on in the craftsmanship of these goods.

The Strayer 2-pocket wallet, featured in Esquire’s Best Men’s Wallets (2013), is a perfect example of its minimalist design—ideal for those who need only the essentials for a night out.

Emily Warden Designs

2225 Hanover Ave., Richmond, VA 23220

Emily Warden Designs, founded by Emily Warden, is the perfect place to shop for unique and meaningful holiday gifts. Each piece is handcrafted with care in Richmond, Virginia, using ethically sourced stones and fine metals, ensuring a thoughtful, sustainable gift. Emily’s background in metalsmithing, stone setting, and glassblowing brings a refined artistry to her delicate designs, making them ideal for special occasions.

With an emphasis on heirloom-quality jewelry that tells a story, EWD Jewelry offers timeless pieces that will be cherished for years to come, making it a memorable and meaningful gift for loved ones this holiday season.

Presidential home gift shops 

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, VA 22121

Virginia’s presidential home gift shops offer history-inspired gifts that support preservation efforts.

At The Shops at Mount Vernon, purchases benefit the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, a private non-profit dedicated to maintaining George Washington’s estate. Highlights include the George Washington Sword Letter Opener ($45), a sterling silver-finished piece modeled after Washington’s ceremonial sword, and the 2024 Mount Vernon Annual Ornament ($24), which commemorates his 1789 inauguration with the presidential oath inscribed on the back.

Members enjoy a 10% discount on purchases, making these gifts as meaningful as they are memorable.

Photo courtesy of the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

1050 Monticello Loop, Charlottesville, VA 22902

The Shop at Monticello provides an impressive array of items that reflect Thomas Jefferson’s legacy, from exclusive Monticello reproductions to heirloom seeds and garden tools.

Among the highlights is the Seed Packet Box with Heirloom Vegetable Seeds, which includes ten historic varieties from the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants, ideal for garden enthusiasts. Additionally, the Revolving Bookstand, a mahogany reproduction of Jefferson’s original design, captures his passion for knowledge, allowing users to consult multiple books at once.

With over 250 Jefferson-related titles, home décor, and Virginia wines, Monticello’s shop combines history with practical elegance for gift-giving.

Photo courtesy of the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

James Madison’s Montpelier 

11350 Constitution Hwy., Montpelier Station, VA 22957

The James Madison’s Montpelier Museum Shop offers a variety of locally crafted apparel, home décor, and history-inspired collectibles that make perfect gifts. Shoppers can find everything from patriotic ties and silk scarves to maple-handled umbrellas, all made in Virginia.

Unique keepsakes include handmade wood items crafted from Montpelier’s own trees, elegant busts of James and Dolley Madison, and holiday ornaments. For food lovers, Montpelier offers a selection of gourmet jams, locally roasted coffee, and kitchen items like mugs and wine glasses. Book selections cover Madison’s legacy, American history, and the Constitution, ideal for history buffs and casual readers alike.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.