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Wineries in winter: a fine place to chill.
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The wraparound porch at Saudé Creek Vineyards boasts one of the best views in Tidewater.
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Saudé Creek Vineyards sits on a hill that rises from a hundred-acre property.
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New Kent Winery, located near Talleysville, is family-owned and operated.
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Wedmore Place at Wessex Hundred is a European-style country hotel at the Williamsburg Winery.
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Amber Hatfield, manager at The Wine Seller.
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Artisan cheeses from The Wine Seller.
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An insulated wine clutch from The Wine Seller assures both wine and guest arrive to the dinner party in fine form.
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The Wine Seller
The wraparound porch at Saudé Creek Vineyards boasts one of the best views in Tidewater. The winery sits on a hill that rises from a hundred-acre property and sweeps down toward the distant Pamunkey River. When cool winter winds hush the Virginia landscape and trees shed their foliage, the vista is all that much better.
“It’s a pleasant place to sit and enjoy a bottle of wine, whatever the season,” said Phyllis Geron, manager of Saudé Creek.
While many people choose to stay home, hunkered down against the shortening days, the holiday season is the perfect time to think about all the wineries within easy reach of Williamsburg.
One of the best reasons is the labels available to complement holiday fare. Local wineries offer flavors that pair well with iconic dishes like Virginia ham and oysters. For Saudé Creek, one of those is Tavern Red, a limited-release, rich blend of Chambourcin and Cabernet Franc grapes.
New Kent Winery, located near Talleysville, also sees brisk sales of full-bodied reds, including their Norton, Meritage and Merlot. Alongside the bold reds that are popular at Williamsburg Winery this time of year—Virginia Claret and Gabriel Archer Reserve—is Acte 12, a bright, fruity Chardonnay that pairs well with turkey.
While wines themselves are popular gifts, there are options beyond the glass. At The Wine Seller, manager Amber Hatfield said that wine fans always appreciate accessories, such as nice crystal glasses or cheese knives and a cutting board.
For something different, Hatfield said that ladies might like an insulated wine clutch, which assures both wine and guest arrive to the dinner party in fine form.
There’s value, too, in the simple experience of passing time at a winery, among friends and fellow oenophiles (that’s a fancy word for wine lovers.) Gauthier Vineyard near Barhamsville hosts a popular family-friendly pizza night many Fridays.
Dinner and live music are a common draw among local wineries, but so, too, is the ambiance of a snug setting in winter. One of the most beloved spots at Saudé Creek is the towering, stone hearth fire warming the body… and wine warming the soul.
For those who want more than a brief fling with the fruit of the vine, Williamsburg Winery is fully equipped to accommodate overnighters or staycations, according to Michael Kimball, Vice President of Marketing. The winery, located on an idyllic 320-acre property, has two restaurants, The Gabriel Archer Tavern and The Café Provençal, as well as an inn, Wedmore Place at Wessex Hundred.
When wanderlust strikes Williamsburg wine lovers, however, Virginia’s growing scene offers many options within a couple hours’ drive—on the Eastern Shore, the Northern Neck, around Charlottesville, even in downtown Norfolk. Mermaid Winery, which opened in 2012, is an urban winery that sources grapes from Virginia and California and has produced wines to great acclaim, success underscored by its expansion to a second location in Virginia Beach this year.
No matter the style one fancies, the ancient drink is part of our local experience. Southeastern Virginia is spellbinding during the holidays, and the local wineries are part of that magic.
Gauthier Vineyard · gauthiervineyard.com
New Kent Winery · newkentwinery.com
Mermaid Winery · mermaidwinery.com
Saudé Creek Vineyards · saudecreek.com
The Wine Seller · grapesbythecrate.com
Williamsburg Winery · williamsburgwinery.com