Outstanding craft beer. Lovely local wines. And a great whisky distiller. A spirited trip through Williamsburg is a wonderful way to enjoy the depth of drink offerings in this beautiful Virginia town. Over the course of two days, I sampled several great local beers, spirits, and wines, plus outstanding cocktails from some of the area’s top restaurants.
Wine Tasting in Merchants Square
Virginia has been producing wine since the 1600s, and today’s winemakers are making headlines around the world with native grape varieties and classics like Cabernet, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.
During my trip, I stopped by Williamsburg Winery’s tasting room and wine bar in the middle of Merchants Square. It’s a second-floor facility with an outdoor wine garden and a wide variety of wines to try, as well as wine-themed gifts for sale. When I visited, the whites included a Sauvignon Blanc, a Viognier, an Albariño (sometimes called Alvarinho in Portugal), and a Virginia Petit Manseng. They were all quite good, but I especially enjoyed the Albariño and Viognier that stood out for their vibrant fruit notes and complexity.
The reds offered impressive depth and flavor as well. The Claret was good, but I especially enjoyed the Cabernet, the full-bodied Cabernet Franc, and the Merlot, which was well-balanced and not overly jammy like some California reds can be.
I was told the winery blends grapes grown near Williamsburg with fruit from other parts of the state. Along with thoughtfully sourced grapes, the winery offers reserve tastings, local ciders, and seminars — all rich and engaging experiences for any wine enthusiast.
Local Craft Beer: Alewerks & Ford’s Colony
Over a fine lunch at Murdoch’s Tavern, inside Ford’s Colony Country Club, I sampled a glass of 🔺Alewerks Brewing Company’s Weekend Lager. It took the Williamsburg-based brewery 10 years to release its first lager, and it’s well worth the wait. It’s an unfiltered beer brewed in the Munich Helles style, with just a hint of spice — perfectly paired with bratwurst or a salty pretzel with mustard.
Tour a Distillery in a Historic Motor Inn
Housed in the former Lord Paget Motor Inn on Capitol Landing Road, Copper Fox Distillery🔺 is one of only a handful of American distilleries to malt its own barley on-site, smoking the grain over local fruitwood instead of peat for a whiskey with a flavor all its own.
Begin with a 45-minute tour of the production floor, then transition to the cozy speakeasy tasting room concealed behind a bookcase. Once inside, you can sample a flight of whiskeys or unwind with a handcrafted cocktail by the courtyard fire pit.
Delicious Cocktails at Blue Talon Bistro
One of the top restaurants in town, Blue Talon Bistro, serves a classic Manhattan with rye whiskey, the best French sweet vermouth, and barrel-aged bitters. It’s topped with a brandied cherry for extra depth and a hint of sweetness that pulls everything together.
More adventurous sorts can opt for the Corpse Reviver #2, a pre-Prohibition treat that includes gin, fresh lemon, orange liqueur, Lillet Blanc, and a whisper of absinthe. Take your time with one of these, or you might get foolish and try to take home one of the restaurant’s many chicken or rooster figurines.
Plan Your Own Spirited Tour
Ready to build your own tasting itinerary? Dive deeper into Williamsburg’s rich cocktail culture, or browse all the brewery and winery options. You’ll discover a full lineup of local producers, tasting rooms, and tours to help you plan a trip that’s equal parts history and happy hour.