Wine Tours in Virginia

[Amethyst]

Has anyone taken any commercial (not self-directed) tours of Virginia wineries?

I am looking for an all-inclusive deal where the tour company drives you to the wineries so you don't have to worry about having a designated driver, getting lost, etc. It would be especially great if the tour price included lodging.

Unfortunately, I am having trouble separating the scam outfits from the real ones. One outfit, Wine Tours of Virginia, advertised a deal that sounded too good to be true, and apparently was...it is no longer in business, and has a lot of bitter complaints on yelp.com.

Other advertisements are vague as to what is "included" and what is not. Customer reviews indicate that frequent "misunderstandings" arise when "all-inclusive" turns out not to include the costs charged by the wineries. That is actually OK with us - as long as it is clear up front.

Anyway, I would love to hear of anyone's experience with Virginia wine tours.

Thanks,

Amethyst

 

[Amethyst]

I seem to have hit on the one travel idea which is of interest to absolutely nobody!

 

[Hermit]

I think you have a great idea. The only time I ever got way past the point of driving on one glass of wine with lunch was at Williamsburg Winery!

Sorry, can't help on the wine tours.

 

[steelyman]

Tout au contraire!

There may be interest (I am interested), but no information/background to offer in reply.

 

[MRG]

Sorry, I've not been there in 30+ years. Wine tours are bigger business than ever before.

I was really surprised visiting the Finger lakes this summer. There were always vineyards there back in the 60's -70s, I don't recall wineries or tours. The tours and winery's are big business there now.

Given Virginia's history I would assume there would be many. Have you tried the Commonwealth's tourism board? Many have suggestions or ads.

 

[Amethyst]

As is my custom, I turned to the Forum after being thoroughly confused by extensive Internet research

Have you tried the Commonwealth's tourism board? Many have suggestions or ads.

 

[Walt34]

We (or at least I) would be interested. We're ~40 minutes from the VA line.

 

[MRG]

As is my custom, I turned to the Forum after being thoroughly confused by extensive Internet research

I see what you mean. I would try their Travel guide. I think some places still pay to give out more content than I can find online. That happened twice last year to us.

I couldn't preview this one much given DW is on the pc. Here's a link to order or get a download.

http://www.virginia.org/TravelGuide/?adref=TGRHP