Your Guide to the Virginia Peninsula Wine Trail
Powered by Scout & Molly’s - Richmond
October is Virginia Wine Month. What better way to celebrate than hopping on a wine trail?
The Virginia Peninsula is Virginia’s newest American Viticulture Area (AVA). An AVA is a legal designation identifying particular places as unique, wine-growing regions. This particular AVA was drawn to reflect the region’s subtropical climate, extended growing season, and maritime features that impact the topography. The Virginia Peninsula is the eighth federally recognized wine-growing region in Virginia!
The Virginia Peninsula Wine Trail consists of six unique wineries nestled in an Atlantic Coastal Plain. This trail does not have a passport or ticket — you simply travel to each winery and pay for the tasting fee at each winery individually. (If you’re looking for an option with a passport, try the Heart of Virginia Wine Trail instead!)
— by Paige Poprocky, Social Media Manager (and the brains behind Sips & Trips with Paige. Follow her @sipsandtripswithpaige!)
Jolene Family Winery
Jolene Family Winery was formally a nursery; the land was passed on to three children from their parents, Joseph and Helene, who decided to turn it into a winery. Jolene is located in New Kent, overlooking an 18-acre private lake, Tom Brooks Lake, with vineyards on the other side. The tasting room is adorable and spacious, with boho and greenery vibes. They currently offer a variety of wine flights.
Jolene Family Winery hand harvests its grapes, handcrafts its wines, and bottles them with a hand-painted label affixed. Grape varietals Vidal Blanc, Norton, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, and Vasara excel in this mineral-rich soil.
Don’t miss reserving a Lakeside Lounge Tent — it offers a dreamy escape on a private oasis, and wine-to-table service is complimentary with your reservation.
Location: 2750 Pocahontas Trail (Quinton)
Hours: Found here
Upper Shirley Vineyards
Upper Shirley Vineyards is a stunning winery overlooking the James River. You can reserve a table in their tasting room or back deck and enjoy a flight, glass, or bottle and food with a view. Make sure you come hungry, as this winery is a full-service restaurant.
Inside seating and back deck seating are both reserved for their restaurant. They have a large yard and patio seating available if you want to enjoy the wine and view without the food.
Upper Shirley has 22 acres under vine and is known for their delicious Blanc de Blanc, Tannat, and Viognier. I am also a big fan of their Sauvignon Blanc!
Location: 600 Shirley Plantation Rd (Charles City)
Hours: Found here
New Kent Winery
New Kent Winery has a spacious tasting room with plenty of natural light and exposed beams. The tasting room was built with historical materials reclaimed from buildings and structures over centuries old from around Virginia and beyond. Outside, they have a lovely porch where you can enjoy a glass post-tasting. They offer traditional wine tastings at the bar along with beer and wine flights.
If you come hungry, no worries! They serve a selection of delicious food. New Kent Winery also introduced craft beer on-site with the addition of Talleysville Brewing Co. in 2020. This is great if your group wants beer in addition to wine!
Location: 8400 Old Church Rd (New Kent)
Hours: Found here
Saudé Creek Vineyards
Saudé Creek Vineyards is a beautiful winery featuring a fantastic outdoor area with even better wine. The tasting room is large, with ample seating inside and out. They have seating downstairs near the bar and upstairs in their loft. The loft has comfy seating as well as a balcony.
Outside, they have a beautiful wrap-around porch that is winterized in the colder months — the patio is fully enclosed and heated in the winter, so you can still enjoy being “outside.” They also have seating all around the grounds with a nice fire pit.
They offer traditional wine tastings at the bar, wine flights, and wine available by the glass and bottle.
Keep an eye out for Mr. Saudé, the resident winery cat!
Location: 16230 Cooks Mill Rd (Lanexa)
Hours: Found here
The Williamsburg Winery
The Williamsburg Winery is a beautiful winery that has such a fascinating history! This winery was bought in 1983, and the first vines were planted in 1985. The property is 300 acres with 40 acres of vines.
There are a few options when it comes to tours and tastings. They offer wine flights and an extensive tour and reserve wine tasting by reservation.
Williamsburg Winery is not only a winery — you can also stay at Wedmore Place and dine at Gabriel Archer Tavern while you’re visiting. The Gabriel Archer Tavern is a great place to grab a bite after your flight!
If you decide not to dine, there is plenty of room to enjoy a bottle or glass of wine. Recently, Williamsburg Winery just added their 1619 Pavilion. This is a beautiful spot to relax and look over the vineyard.
Location: 5800 Wessex Hundred (Williamsburg)
Hours: Found here
Gauthier Vineyard
Gauthier Vineyard has a beautiful tasting room with ample seating inside and outside on their wrap-around covered porch. The view is lovely — it looks across the vineyard with a beautiful pond. On the weekends, you will likely see the owners, Mo and Sandi Gauthier, walking around, ensuring your visit is the best. They have an extensive list of 15 wines with tasting or flight options.
The Gauthiers’ estate Norton vines were planted in 2011, but they also lease vines in the foothills overlooking the Shenandoah Valley in partnership with Cave Ridge Vineyard. They currently have three acres of estate Norton and lease eight acres in the Shenandoah Valley.
Location: 5000 Farmers Dr (Barhamsville)
Hours: Found here
Want more (wine) where that came from?
Keep up with Paige’s blog, Sips & Trips with Paige — a wine, travel, and experience site that revolves around wine adventures, travel, and date-night experiences!
Looking for even more?
Thank you to Scout & Molly’s - Richmond for powering this city guide!