Photo by Dan Addison, courtesy of Keswick Hall
Polo players take to the field at Roseland Polo at Kingland Family Vineyards.
Polo enthusiasts and newbies alike can enjoy the storied sport of polo (not the kind you played in the pool as a kid!) this summer at Keswick Hall’s Suite Sunday Polo experience at King Family Vineyards, a signature summer offering that captures the elegance and spirit of Charlottesville.
Keswick Hall is about a two-hour, 15-minute drive from Alexandria.
Polo in Charlottesville? The University of Virginia has a highly successful and historic polo program (Virginia Polo Club), established in 1953. It's renowned as one of the best intercollegiate polo facilities in the country, attracting students and hosting national tournaments. They focus on making polo affordable for students and are heavily supported by alumni and donors.
At King Family Vineyards, you'll find the Roseland Polo Club. This is perhaps the most visible polo presence for the general public. King Family Vineyards, located just outside Charlottesville in Crozet, hosts popular "Polo Sundays" from Memorial Day weekend through October. These matches draw large crowds who come to tailgate, enjoy wine and watch the game against a beautiful vineyard backdrop. They also offer a polo school for those interested in learning to play.
History
Polo, often called the "Sport of Kings," boasts a history stretching back over 2,500 years, originating in ancient Persia (modern-day Iran) around the 6th century BC as "Chogan." Initially a training exercise for cavalry units to hone their horsemanship for warfare, it quickly became a popular pastime among nobility, spreading across Asia to regions like India, Tibet, and China.
The modern game, with its standardized rules, took shape in the 19th century when British tea planters and military officers discovered it in Manipur, India, and subsequently introduced it to England, from where it spread globally to countries like Argentina and the United States, ultimately becoming the dynamic, fast-paced sport we know today.
VIP Sunday Polo experience
Photo courtesy of Keswick Hall
A suite experience awaits at Keswick Hall in Charlottesville!
Ready to see what all the excitement is about? To boost your experience, through late October, Keswick Hall suite guests are invited to experience Charlottesville at its most refined with exclusive VIP access to Sunday Polo at King Family Vineyards. This elevated outing pairs two of the region’s most celebrated traditions, world-class wine and the exhilarating sport of polo, for an unforgettable afternoon in Virginia’s horse and wine country.
The "sweet" experience includes:
Private chauffeured transportation to Roseland Polo at King Family Vineyards
Shaded mid-field seating in the Keswick Hall Sponsor Tent
Award-winning King Family wine
Chef-curated canapés
Unmatched views of the match with opportunities to mingle with players and take part in the charming tradition of divot stomping. During halftime of a polo match, spectators are invited to walk onto the massive grass field and literally stomp down the "divots" – the chunks of earth and grass that have been torn up by the horses' hooves during the fast-paced play.
Following the final "chukker," guests return to the timeless elegance of Keswick Hall, where panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain views and destination dining at Marigold by Jean-Georges await.
