Unique "un-wine-ding" in Chesapeake
Set
Chesapeake as your affordable hub and go on a wine-filled adventure! Explore a winery for the ages, and then make-your-own at a unique new winery. Take time to shop among historic sites along the way. This is a getaway you won’t want to miss!
Day 1:
Dedicate this afternoon to history. First stop:
Williamsburg Winery, Virginia’s largest winery with an annual production of some 60,000 cases. The 50+ acres of vineyards surrounding the winery offer a beautiful backdrop to the Old World-style village. Take it all in with a guided tour of the winery and tasting session. Keep the engraved tasting glass as a memento. If it's not too late, drive over to
Merchants Square, an 18th-century style retail village with over 40 shops and restaurants located adjacent to
Colonial Williamsburg. Back in Chesapeake, your dinner at
Passion The Restaurant will prove to be food for the soul. Enticing culinary creations and more great wine will be the perfect end to your first day. Consider resting at
TownePlace Suites,
Hyatt Place or
Marriott.
Day 2:
Start your day with breakfast at the local favorite
Broken Egg Bistro - a mom-and-pop diner with upscale bistro food. Head over to
Carafe Wine Makers, a first of its kind micro-winery offering over thirty varietals from the finest grape-growing regions of the world. Become a part of the wine-making process and build your own small batch of wine! You can be involved as much or as little as you want. Fill, cork, shrink cap, and include your own private label for a very personal (and tasty) souvenir! Skip lunch and go straight for dessert. Swing by the
Carolina Cupcakery (In VA!) where you really don't know what you'll get. No fear ... that's a good thing! The Cupcakery offers over 100 flavors, of which only eight to 12 will be offered on a given day. Still have a sweet tooth?
LaChoclatier Bakery serves up more goodies than you can shake a stick at, including melt-in-your-mouth cheesecake by the slice and delightful truffles. After an afternoon of
antiquing (aka "walking off dessert").
Day 3:
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out and heading to
Smithfield. Incorporated in 1752, Smithfield became a town devoted to the art of curing world-famous Smithfield Ham. Begin your visit downtown at the
Visitor Center, also home to the
Arts Center @ 319, offering tourist information, a gallery/gift shop and the chance to chat with resident artists. Further down Main Street is the
Isle of Wright Museum, with its overview of the county’s history and the world’s oldest ham. Spend some time in Historic Downtown Smithfield browsing the
unique shops and art galleries, and be sure to stop at the
Genuine Smithfield Ham Shop for yet another tasty souvenir.
This getaway was submitted by Chesapeake Conventions & Tourism.