Williamsburg Winery

(Been there, checked it!)

Williamsburg Winery is Virginia’s largest winery with an annual production of between 55,000-60,000 cases. With over 170 wineries in Virginia, the Williamsburg Winery accounts for almost 20% of all wine production in Virginia.

The Williamsburg Winery was established in 1985 by the Duffeler family. The first wine produced, Governor’s White, was released in 1988 and won a Gold Medal within two weeks. Today, Governor’s White is the most popular wine made at the winery. Wines produced here are appealing to a broad range of wine lovers, from the occasional wine drinker to the wine enthusiast.

The 33 acres of vineyards which surround the winery offer a beautiful backdrop to the Old World-style village where the winery is located. Most of the wines have historical references listed on the back of each bottle. For example, Governor’s White was named after Governor Berkeley, Virginia’s first governor. Tours of the facility and wine tastings are held daily by our professionally trained staff members. Join with visitors from all over the world who come to enjoy our international award-winning wines!

Tasting Room Hours: April-October, Mon-Sat 10am-6pm and Sunday 11am-6pm; November-March, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. $7 for tasting only, $10 for tour and tasting (both include a glass), $30 reserve tasting with appointment.

We visited Williamsburg Winery on 29 August 2010. Williamsburg Winery is the largest in the state, producing 65,000 cases – 25% of all wines made in Virginia. (Here’s a fun fact: Gallo wines produces more than 75 MILLION cases a year.) The same process-focus that brought about the volume success for Williamsburg is also evident in their tasting room/wine shop operation. It’s a well-oiled machine. We were so used to the more casual approach of most Virginia wineries, we hung around the tasting room for a good while before figuring out we needed to buy a timed ticket in the shop.

All photos from this winery

A $10 ticket buys a video presentation, tour of the cellar room and production area, access to a small museum area, and a sampling of seven out of nearly 30 wines that Williamsburg produces. You get to keep the glass.

The sampling is a nice overview, including some of the biggest sellers (such as Virginia’s best selling wine, Governor’s White, $8), a couple of the high-enders, and one or two just for fun, like the true-tasting raspberry wine, $18.(Check their website for a special online-only offer that includes the tour, tasting, and lunch at the tavern for $30.)

A reserve tasting in the cellar room is available by appointment for $30.

Like Colonial Williamsburg nearby (no affiliation), the winery is growing into a “come and stay” destination in its own right. Lunch is available daily at the Gabriel Archer Tavern on the property, and the new Wedmore Place offers upscale overnight accommodations and dinner Thursday – Monday in the Cafe Provencal.

Picnic areas on the grounds are available if you’d rather bring your own, and private parties and weddings are more than welcome.

Blends: Governor’s White, James River White, Plantation Blush, Two Shilling Red, Susan Constant Red. Varietals: Sir Christopher Wren White (blend), Samuel Argall Dry Reisling, John Adlum Chardonnay, J. Andrews Merlot, Arundell Cabernet Sauvignon. Premium Varietals: Acte 12 Chardonnay, Barrel Aged Seyval Blanc, Estate Grown Traminette, Barrel Aged Claret, Burgesses’ Measure Merlot, Henning’s Statute Cabernet Sauvignon, Lort Botetourt Red. Reserve Wines: Viognier, Vintage Reserve Chardonnay, Merlot Reserve, Virginia Trianon (cabernet franc), Gabriel Archer Reserve (Bordeaux-style blend), Adagio. Desert wines: Late Harvest Vidal Blanc, Vin Licoreux de Mures (blackberry desert wine), Vin Licoreux de Framboise (raspberry desert wine), Jamestown Cellars Spiced Wine. (The young man who led our tasting explained that wines tasted in each of the limited tastings may vary day-to-day. Our tasting included James River Red, Two Shilling Red, Samuel Argall Dry Reisling, J. Andrews Merlot, and Gabriel Archer Reserve.)

From Richmond
On I-64 take exit 234 to Rte 199 East.
On Rte 199 turn right after the Jamestown Rd. intersection onto Brookwood Drive.
On Brookwood Drive, turn left onto Lake Powell Road.
The winery is one mile on the left.

From Norfolk / Virginia Beach
On I-64 take exit 242A to Rte 199 West.
On Rte 199 turn left at the intersection for Brookwood Drive.
On Brookwood Drive, turn left onto Lake Powell Road.
The winery is one mile on the left.

From Colonial Williamsburg
Take Route 132 South (South Henry Street) and turn right onto Rte 199 West.
On Rte 199 turn left at the intersection for Brookwood Drive.
On Brookwood Drive, turn left onto Lake Powell Road.
The winery is one mile on the left.