day trip Destination: Williamsburg, VA If one yearns for a quiet retreat in a small European town, enjoying a picnic beside a pond, sipping the latest vintage produced from the vines in the surrounding fields, the solution exists within an hour’s drive of most Tidewater locations—Williamsburg Winery at Wessex Hundred. Depending on your day trip origination, you will travel the typical hurried highways until a turnoff just near the exits for Busch Gardens transports you to Humelsine Parkway and then Lake Powell Road, which leads to your destination. The winding drive through the property presents patterned acres of grapevines strung along wires and posts. Visitors may choose from the many options to experience the vineyard once they reach the parking lot, which faced what could best be described as the replica of a European village with several buildings. We found the following order suited the day perfectly. First, enjoy a tasting flight, accompanied by all COVID-19 precautions such as outdoor (but comfortable) seating only, masks and plastic tasting cups at the Wine Pavilion, a two-story, covered and uncovered porch-like facility with views of the fields. Choose from white, red, sparkling and dessert/ specialty wine flights. The staff provided pleasant conversation and knowledge of the wines. Determine your favorite wine and from there, head across the “village” road to the gift shop to purchase a bottle. You would typically also have access to the tasting room here and could skip the pavilion experience to sample the
[ by jill doczi & rick blanton ] Less than an hour from most places in the Tidewater region, an escape toward Williamsburg offers some definite “chill” time.
The Williamsburg Winery property offers wine tasting, a place to enjoy the delicious varietals inside and outside, food options and some retail therapy. PHOTOS: RICK BLANTON
boulevard | feb-apr 2021
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