Location: 5800 Wessex Hundred, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185
Website: www.williamsburgwinery.com
The tour and tasting cost 10 dollars
Me in front of the driveway entrance to the Winery.
Front desk were we paid for the tour and tasting
After we paid we had like 15 minutes to kill before the tour started so these were some of the stuff that we were looking at while we waited.
Board waiting Pic 1
Board waiting Pic 2
The very first part of the Williamsburg Winery tour was we watched a 6 minute video on there perspective of wine and what it means to them. When the video was done that is when we went on the tour of the winery.
The first place we went to was an older part of the building that was around during the Colonial era. Then we went to the red wine storage. Where the tour guide talked about how they labeled each barrel. One of the more interesting things I learned during this part of the tour was that they only grew three red grapes and 4 white grapes on this vineyard. They import the rest that they use in a lot of there other wines. there were some barrels that were marked with a MT witch meant the inside of the barrel was toasted ( burnt with a torch) to add some flavor. I also found out that each barrel holds about 300 bottles of wine. They also put some of there red wines in some stainless steel tanks which hold about 7400 bottles of wine. the most interesting part of the tour was hearing about the new ceramic eggs which they ferment some of there red wine which are for club members only which I never heard off.
One view of the oak barrels.
A different view of the oak barrels
The ceramic eggs.
After the red whine storage we saw there bottling set up which was a bunch of different machines on a conveyor belt. they said that they put the foil on by hand which I thought was interesting.
Apart of the bottling set up
When we were done checking out the machines we went to there little museum they have. They had a lot of old bottles from the Colonel Era. They said they even found a skeleton on they land. He was sent to the smithsonian and the body was dated to the Colonel Era. The thing I thought was the coolest was the old hydrometer that they had. there hydrometer was a bunch of glass balls at different density and the ball with the highest density that was floating would represent the alcohol concentration of the wine.
Small scale model of the building
Some of there old wine bottle collection
So the next stop on the tour was to view the white wine storage. In the white wine storage room they had 6 giant stainless steel tanks that hold about 16000 bottles of wine.
Some of the giant tanks
When we were finally done the last thing we did was some wine tasting. There was a total of eight different wines that we got to taste.
Todays Tasting
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $9.00
The Winery Review: A Sauvignon Blanc Aged only in stainless steel to emphasize fresh, fruity flavors. Consider pairing this wine with seafood or a mixed green salad
My Review: This wine had a nice fruity smell. It also had a bitter sweet taste that was a little tart. All in all I would give this wine a 6 out of 10.
Name: John Adlum Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $13.00
The Winery Review: Our lightest Chardonnay is aged primarily in stainless steel resulting in citrus and pear notes. This wine will pair nicely with soup, salads and hor d'oeuvers
My Review: There was a nice fruity smell with a hint of apple. It had a nice smooth crisps taste with some peach. I would give this wine a 7 out of 10.
Name: A Midsummer Night's White
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $16.00
The Winery Review: This fruity and highly aromatic wine was produced from an extremely low-yield vineyard on Wessex Hundred, the farm upon which the Williamsburg Winery is located
My Review: I really enjoyed this wine. On the nose it has a smooth floral perfume smell. On the taste buds it had a nice acidic alcohol taste that was smooth and sweet. I found out they grow three of the 4 grapes used in this wine. I would give this wine a 8 out of 10.
Name: Arundell Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $13.00
The Winery Review: This old world style Cabernet, has a nice balance between the fruit and the earthy character, best complements rich pasta dishes and grilled meats
My Review: This wine had a nice dry earthy perfume smell with some legs on the glass. Its taste was very smooth and dry. There was also a nice cherry hint at the end of it. I would give this wine a 6 out of 10.
Variety: Merlot
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $19.00
The Winery Review: the Merlot features a cherry, strawberry and cranberry bouquet with an earthy, spicy finish. Pair this wine pulled pork, ribs, or a hamburger
My Review:This wine was another one of my favorite wines that I was able to try at the winery. The initial smell was a nice oaky wood one. It was a very smooth taste that was little dry with some thicker legs on the glass. I would give this wine a 8.5 out of 10.
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $32.00
The Winery Review: This reserve wine represents our winemaker's powerful skill at blending red Bordeaux varietals. It pairs with most meats, and especially goes well with filet mignon
My Review: This wine had a little more unique smell that was dry. it also had an earth smell along with cherries. The taste of this wine was dry with some earthy dirt taste, with some alcohol taste at the end. I would give this wine a 6 out of 10.
Name: Jamestown Cellars Settler's Spiced Wine
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Price: $12.00
The Winery Review: Red wine blended with cloves, Cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices. Designed as mulled wine, it is meant to be served warm during winter by the fireplace
My Review: This wine had a very unique taste and smell. The smell was a cinnamon spice with some apple. The taste was not like an other wine but it just tasted like cinnamon apple. I would give this wine a 7.5 out of 10.
Name: Vin Licoreux de Framboise
Variety: Red Wine with Raspberry
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Price: $18.00
The Winery Review: This dessert wine showcases the brightness of raspberries with the subtle nuances of Merlot. Serve lightly chilled after dinner or with chocolate or fruit-based desserts.
My Review: this wine had a great cranberry and plum smell to it. The taste of this wine was super sweet along with fruit and plum. I would give this wine a 5 out of 10.
Side note: All the pictures are courtesy of my grandpa Richard Smith. I would not mind going back when grapes are growing to see how nice it will look and not so barren.
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